Five Common Insects and Diseases
These five are some of the most prevalent of the 400 or more insects and diseases in North America deemed threats to urban trees. Of that total, between 20 to 30 are significant threats.
What's Already Here and What May Come
To prepare for what is already in our community – or may come later – you need solid information on what’s coming and from where. Fortunately, federal agencies and most states monitor and track forest pests and diseases.
National Resources
USDA Forest Service’s Forest Health Protection Program
This provides technical support for combatting forest pests and disease. As many as 250 scientists share expertise on forest entomology, forest pathology, overly abundant plants, pesticide use, survey and monitoring, management, assessment and applied sciences, and other forest health-related services.
U.S. Forest Service Pest Maps
Annual Forest Insect and Disease Conditions Reports have been published annually since 1955, identifying the statuses of and changes to the most significant forests pests and diseases. Reports provide a national summary of conditions across landscapes.
Alien Forest Pest Explorer
A joint project of the USDA and Purdue University, the AFPE tracks the location of a select group of pathogens. Information is localized for use in county planning.
National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System
US Geological Survey scientists administer Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Information System. It provides an online forum for invasive species information sharing and collaboration that serves as the information hub of the National EDRR Framework.
State and Local Resources
You’ll find the most comprehensive list of organizations and resources tackling invasive pests and diseases at the local, state and multiagency levels. You can locate primary state agencies and councils, along with reports on response and mitigation for current hazards.