Threats to U.S. Crops

On This Page

Introduction

Detecting and identifying abnormalities in plants or crops is essential when bringing control to a potential threat. The following resources provide up-to-date information on a variety of biological agents and pests. Materials cover proper methods for identification, as well as what is being done to combat existing, emerging and potential agents.

CURRENT REGIONAL THREATS

North Central -- Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer -- Indiana, Michigan & Ohio
Emerald Ash Borer -- USDA-APHIS
Emerald Ash Borer -- USDA Forest Service
Invasivespecies.gov

Western -- Sudden Oak Death

Sudden Oak Death -- EDEN Current Issue Page
Sudden Oak Death and the California Oak Mortality Task Force -- Oak Mortality Task Force
Pest Detection and Management Programs -- USDA

Multi-Regional -- Soybean Rust

PEST ALERT: Soybean Rust -- USDA-APHIS
Soybean Rust Guide -- University of Missouri Extension
Asian Soybean Rust: Identifying, Confirming and Managing Asian Soybean Rust -- Iowa State University - University Extension

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Top Ten Pests

Updated list as of February 2007 by the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS)

1. Sudden Oak Death

Pest Detection and Management Programs – USDA-APHIS
EDEN Current Issue: Sudden Oak Death

2. European Gypsy Moth

Indiana Gypsy Moth Information-- from Purdue Extension
European Gypsy Moth (GM) – USDA-APHIS

3. Imported Fire Ants

Fact Sheet – USDA-APHIS
Biological Control of Imported Fire Ants – Alabama Cooperative Extension System

4. Asian Longhorned Beetle

Asian Longhorned Beetle – USDA-APHIS
Host List – USDA-APHIS
Control Strategy – USDA-APHIS

5. Japanese Beetle

Fact Sheet – USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Managing the Japanese Beetle: A Homeowner’s Handbook – USDA-APHIS

6. Karnal Bunt

Overview and Biology of Karnal Bunt – USDA-APHIS
Karnal Bunt of Wheat – Univ. of Idaho

7. Plum Pox Virus

Plum Pox – USDA-APHIS
Plum Pox Virus Resource Index – The American Phytopathological Society

8. Africanized Honeybee

Species Profile – Invasivespecies.org

9. Pine Shoot Beetle

Fact Sheet – USDA-APHIS

10. Purple Loosestrife

Identification and Control of Purple Loosestrife – North Dakota State University
Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife: A Guide for Rearing Leaf-feeding Beetles – University of Minnesota Extension Service

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Emerging Pest Problems

Updated list as of January 2005 by NAPIS

Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle

Fact Sheet – NAPPO

Guava Fruit Fly

Guava Fruit Fly Page – Univ. of Florida and Florida Dept. of Ag

Mango Seed Weevil

Emerging Pest in Caribbean Basin – NAPPO

Natal Fruit Fly

Natal Fruit Fly Page – Univ. of Florida and Florida Dept. of Ag

Nun Moth

Nun Moth: Potential New Pest -- Invasive Species.org

Phytophthora kernoviae

Frequently Asked Questions - Forestry Commission, Great Britain

Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid

Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid Factsheet - New Zealand Insitute for Crop & Food Res.

Red Palm Weevil

The Red Palm Weevil in the Mediterranean Area – International Palms Society

Red Ring Nematode

Red Ring Nematode Page -- Univ. of Florida and Florida Dept. of Ag
Red Ring Nematode Factsheet - Society of Nematology Pest List

Soybean Rust

Pest Alert: Soybean Rust – USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Diagnostic Characters for Soybean Rust Identification – USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Soybean Rust Symptoms – USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Diagnostic Methods for Soybean Rust Identification – USDA-APHIS-PPQ

Swede Midge

Fact Sheet – Cornell Univ.

White Mango Scale

Pest Alert – Florida Dept. of Ag and Consumer Sciences

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Select Agents

Select agents are biological agents (viruses, bacteria and fungi) known to exist outside the U.S. and thought to pose a severe threat to American agriculture if introduced here. The Plant Protection and Quarantine program has placed nine of these agents on a watch list because of their potential threat to a number of nationally important agronomic crops, including potatoes, rice, soybeans, corn, citrus, and stone fruit.

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Other Information and Resources

Emerging Pests -- USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Watch this site for new plant pest issues and links to new pest outbreak situations where regulatory actions are necessary.

University Diagnostic Laboratories -- APSnet
A list of laboratories with contact information found on this site.

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Last Updated:10/2/2009 1:37 AM