An army of invasive pests is spreading into Kentucky, while other established species are increasing in numbers.
Human activity has helped the spread of invasive species into the commonwealth, and new species are likely to gain an added presence in coming years, according to state entomologist Reddy Palli.
These insects threaten to chew through entire forests and hamstring the state’s agriculture industry.
“The key is to find them and control them as they come in,” Palli said. “If we let them establish, it becomes very difficult to eradicate.”
Palli chairs the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology. The public can help efforts to suppress these species by reporting sightings through the department’s website, he said.
Here are six invasive insects to watch for in Kentucky — some well-established and others still gaining a foothold.
Spongy moth
The spongy moth poses a major threat to Kentucky’s forests, with an appetite for hundreds of different tree and shrub species, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Native to Europe, the species first appeared in the U.S. in the 19th century in Massachusetts, and has spread outward since.
Officials advise looking out for the spongy moth in its caterpillar or adult moth form. Defoliated trees or egg masses — tan clumps found on trees, often on the underside of branches — are also indicators of the species’ spread.
Kentucky has been able to keep the moth from settling in so far, monitoring for the species and trapping it near the borders, Palli said. Populations have already been established in five Kentucky-adjacent states, from Illinois to Virginia, and the USDA’s Slow the Spread program is treating areas to suppress them.
Imported fire ant
For years, fire ants have been a threat to the western side of the commonwealth. But last year, they were detected in sizable numbers in the east, spreading north from Tennessee into McCreary, Whitley, Knox and Bell counties, surveys show.
A changing climate could also encourage the northward expansion of pests like the fire ant, although data on the topic is still lacking, Palli said. Insects tend to thrive in warmer climates, meaning states like Kentucky could appeal to invasive species that have historically remained further south.
These pests eat crops, and their venom can pose a risk to humans and animals. The state entomologist’s office advises not approaching a suspected mound, and instead contacting the local university extension or submitting a report to [email protected].
More:Here are 3 tips to try to get rid of invasive plants in your garden
Asian longhorned tick
The Asian longhorned tick “should be taken as a serious threat to both animal and human health,” according to Healthy Farms Healthy Agriculture, “and can collect in massive groups on a single host, causing significant distress and blood loss.”
It can also act as a vector for bovine theileriosis, threatening the state’s cattle populations, and has already been found causing issues on a few dairy farms, Palli said.
The species first made an appearance in Kentucky a few years ago, and since then has spread to Boone, Floyd, Madison, Martin, and Metcalfe counties. The tick’s presence is expected to grow further this year.
For subscribers:This flower exists in only a tiny part of Kentucky. Can it be saved from Louisville sprawl?
Spotted lanternfly
The colorful spotted lanternfly, deemed a “cockroach with a makeover” by Jimmy Kimmel, has not yet established itself in Kentucky.
But four states bordering the commonwealth have reported sightings, including in two counties bordering Northern Kentucky.
“It’s a matter of time, I think,” Palli said. “We’ll have it here.”
Should the insect gain a foothold in Kentucky, damage would likely be extensive to fruit orchards and vineyards, as well as the state’s forests.
“These come in huge numbers,” Palli said. “They’ll eat almost everything in their way.”
In Kentucky, not yet a quarantine area for the pest, the USDA advises: “IF YOU SEE ONE, SMASH IT,” but only after taking a picture to document the finding and report it to officials.
Asian longhorned beetle
This invasive beetle species is especially devastating to hardwood trees, including ash, birch, elm, maple and others, and threatens billions of dollars worth of natural resources, according to USDA estimates.
It hasn’t yet been identified in the commonwealth, but over the last decade has made appearances near Northern Kentucky, including areas just east of Cincinnati.
The pest, usually about an inch long with striped, curling antennae, kills trees by boring into them. Look out for their “pencil-sized, perfectly round tree exit holes,” per the USDA.
“If Asian longhorned beetle comes to your neighborhood,” Palli said, “they’ll destroy the trees in your yard.”
For subscribers:Where to find 40 of Kentucky’s most impressive trees, and why they matter
Emerald ash borer
Since its discovery in Michigan two decades ago, the invasive emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees, including in Kentucky, where it has built up a significant presence. Only a handful of counties in the commonwealth are free of the pest.
After this brightly colored beetle species has infested an ash tree, the tree may live for only about one to three more years, according to the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey. Within a year, its crown will thin drastically, and more of the canopy will follow.
One way to prevent emerald ash borer spread is to use buy and burn firewood locally. Transporting firewood can allow pests like the emerald ash borer or the Asian longhorned beetle to hitch a ride, widening their spread.
Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. The program funds up to half of corps members’ salaries, but requires a portion also be raised through local community fundraising. To support local environmental reporting in Kentucky, tax-deductible donations can be made atcourier-journal.com/RFA.
Learn more about RFA atreportforamerica.org. Reach Connor directly at [email protected] or on Twitter@byconnorgiffin.