Current Threats to Forest Health
Current issues in forest health of the greatest concern to the DEM’s Forest Health Program include both exotic/invasives and native insects and diseases. Some pests are of state concern while others are of regional or national concern.
*Click on the Insect Name for more local information (where available).
| Insects | Name*/Details | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|
 |
Emerald Ash Borer Detection Map Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: All species of Ash |
|
 |
Asian Longhorned Beetle Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Maples |
|
 |
Winter Moth Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Maples |
USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert" Winter Moth Control Measures |
 |
European Gypsy Moth Gypsy Moth in Rhode Island Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Oaks, other hardwoods |
USDA APHIS Gypsy Moth Information USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert” USDA Forest Service Gypsy Moth Information |
 |
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Hemlock |
USDA Forest Service Hemlock Woolly Adelgid info |
 |
Southern Pine Beetle Status: Native Mostly Affects: Hard pines (Pitch pine), Others |
USDA Forest Service Southern Pine Beetle |
 |
Oak Gall Wasps Status: Native Mostly Affects: All Oak |
Gall Wasps – Wikipedia |
 |
Spotted Lanternfly Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Ailanthus, fruit trees, grape vines |
USDA APHIS Spotted Lanternfly Information Northeastern IPM Center |
| Diseases | Name*/Details | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|
 |
Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) Mostly Affects: all American Beech | Ohio DNR Forest Invasives |
 |
Beech Bark Disease (Neonectria spp.) Mostly Affects: American Beech | USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert” USDA Invasive Species Information Center |
 |
Rhyzosphaera needle cast Mostly Affects: Colorado Blue, other Spruces & Firs | UMass Extension: Rhizophaera Needle Cast |
 |
White Pine Needle Damage Mostly Affects: Eastern White Pine | USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert" |
 |
White Pine Blister Rust Mostly Affects: Eastern White Pine | USDA Forest Service White Pine Blister Rust USDA Forest Service White Pine Blister Rust General Ecology and Management |
 |
Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) Mostly Affects: Oaks, Laurels |
USDA APHIS Sudden Oak Death USDA Forest Service "Pest Alert" |