Invasive Insects in Maryland: What You Need to Know

Maryland is home to a diverse range of insect species, but some of them have made a name for themselves as invasive pests. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, for example, is a notorious invasive species that can cause significant damage to crops and gardens.

These pests can be found in many parts of the state, including urban and rural areas. The Emerald Ash Borer, another invasive insect, has been particularly destructive to Maryland's ash tree population.

In Maryland, invasive insects like the Spotted Lanternfly and the Asian Longhorned Beetle are also major concerns. They can spread quickly and cause widespread damage to trees, plants, and other vegetation.

To protect your home and garden, it's essential to be aware of the invasive insects in your area and take steps to prevent their spread.

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Invasive insects in Maryland are a real concern, and it's essential to know what to look out for.

Spotted Lanternfly is a sap-feeding insect native to Eastern Asia that's a threat to crops.

These insects can be identified by their presence on trees, specifically on the sapwood.

They are a significant problem for Maryland's ash trees, with a high infestation on the eastern shore.

If you spot a Spotted Lanternfly, contact the United States Agriculture Service immediately.

The Emerald Ash Borer is another invasive insect that's causing trouble in Maryland.

It lays eggs within the trees, and you'll find D-shaped exit holes from adults.

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is a tiny insect that's destroying eastern hemlock trees.

It can be identified by white woolly masses on the underside of branches or the bases of needles.

If you find a Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, it's essential to treat the tree with a special oil.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a very serious pest that's been introduced from wood in China.

Adults are only about 1 ½ inches long and are black with white spots, and they have distinctive antennas.

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They attack up to 29 types of hardwood trees but prefer maples, and round holes can be a sign of infestation.

The Gypsy Moth is a native European insect that's causing problems in Maryland.

Adults have wings with variable patterns of black spots and bands, and males have brown wings and fluffy antennae.

Females are cream-colored and have thin antennae, and they cause defoliation by feeding on leaves.

The Japanese Cedar Longhorned Beetle is another invasive insect that's infesting sugi, false cypress, and eastern red cedar trees.

Damage can be seen in dead branches, resembling winter dieback, and look for oval exit holes and bark tunnels.

If you find a Japanese Cedar Longhorned Beetle, prune out and destroy infested material.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is a native East Asian insect that's native to Maryland.

It's 14-17mm long and dark brown in color, and it infests many trees like fruit, shade, and woody ornamentals.

The Red Imported Fire Ant is a stinging insect native to South America that's causing problems in Maryland.

It's reddish-brown in color and about ⅛-¼ inches long, and it can damage agriculture and be aggressive towards homeowners.

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The spotted lanternfly is a highly invasive species that's been making its way through the Delmarva area, but it hasn't been spotted in Maryland yet.

They eat host plants very rapidly, which is a concern for local agriculture.

Spotted lanternflies attack a variety of species including apples, stone fruits, grapes, hop plants, and pines.

These pests lay eggs on cars and spread rapidly by hitching a ride.

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Some invasive bugs in Maryland are quite small, but don't let their size fool you - they can cause big problems. The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, for example, can destroy eastern hemlock trees by sucking sap from branches and sometimes injecting a toxin into the tree while feeding.

If you spot a Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, look for white woolly masses on the underside of branches or the bases of needles. These masses can be a sign of an infestation, and if the tree can be sprayed, it can be treated with a special oil.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is another invasive bug to watch out for. Native to East Asia, it's about 14-17mm long and has a dark brown color. It infests many trees, including fruit, shade, and woody ornamentals, and can even be seen in homes.

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The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a force to be reckoned with. They were first spotted in Baltimore City in the late 80s and have since spread throughout the state.

These mosquitoes are black with distinctive white striping and tend to thrive in urban areas. They're a bit sneaky, too - they can lay and hatch eggs in surprisingly small amounts of standing water.

You might find them lurking around lawn furniture, cups, or toys left outdoors, which is why it's essential to stay on top of yard work. Their ability to survive in tiny pools of water makes them a formidable foe.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito is also a known carrier of the West Nile Virus, which is a serious concern for public health.

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The brown marmorated stink bug is a highly invasive pest that's native to Asia. It's believed to have stowed away in shipping containers into the United States during the 1990s.

These stink bugs have a distinctive appearance, with white bands on their antennae. They lay two or more batches of eggs every year, which is more than native stink bugs.

As the weather cools down in the fall, large numbers of brown marmorated stink bugs start invading houses and other structures to avoid the cold. The migration trigger date in Maryland is September 22.

The bugs often congregate in attics, behind furniture, or in structural cracks. They don't bite, but when squished, they produce a stinky odor.

Homeowners in Maryland often notice the bugs inside the home or on landscape plants. Exterior treatment of your home can be scheduled with a pest control professional in the early fall, which is the best time to control the brown marmorated stink bug.

Raking away any debris or leaf mulch from the home's exterior can also help prevent the stinkbugs from hiding there. Caulking and sealing up any cracks around the foundation, windows, and other access areas will also help prevent entry.

Invasive bugs can be a real nuisance, and it's essential to know how to identify and prevent their spread. The brown marmorated stink bug, native to Asia, has become a significant pest in Maryland, feeding on crops, fruit trees, and ornamental plants. They can be found inside homes, especially during the fall, as they congregate in attics and structural cracks to avoid the cold weather.

These bugs can be recognized by their white bands on the antennae and their ability to produce a stinky odor when squished. The females lay clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves, and homeowners can help prevent their entry by caulking and sealing cracks around the foundation, windows, and other access areas. Exterior treatment of homes can be scheduled in early fall to control the stinkbug population.

Some invasive bugs to look out for include the spotted lanternfly, which is a sap-feeding insect native to Eastern Asia and a threat to crops. The emerald ash borer, a large threat to Maryland's ash trees, can be identified by the D-shaped exit holes from adults. The hemlock woolly adelgid, very small but identifiable by white woolly masses on the underside of branches, can destroy eastern hemlock trees.

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The Asian longhorned beetle, a very serious pest, attacks up to 29 types of hardwood trees, preferring maples, and can be identified by round holes and black bodies with white spots. The Japanese cedar longhorned beetle, which infests sugi, false cypress, and eastern red cedar, can be recognized by oval exit holes and tunnels in the bark.

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If you spot an invasive bug in Maryland, don't try to kill it unless instructed to do so. Contact your state's extension service, and they'll guide you or direct you to call the United States Agricultural Service.

Double-checking soil and plants for bugs before planting them is a crucial step in preventing the spread of invasive bugs. This simple habit can save you from introducing unwanted pests to your garden.

Some invasive bugs to be on the lookout for in Maryland include the Spotted Lanternfly, which is a sap-feeding insect native to Eastern Asia and a threat to crops.

Protecting your home from invasive bugs is a top priority, especially in Maryland where they can be a real nuisance. The kudzu bug is a prime example of this, with its two main invasions happening in early spring (March) and fall (mid-October through late November).

To keep these stinky pests out, it's essential to bugproof your home's exterior. This means checking for any gaps or openings that could let them in. You should place screening over possible routes of insect entry into the house, and make sure screens on windows are well-seated and without holes.

Soffit, ridge, and gable vents are also a common entry point, so be sure to check that they're properly screened. If you can't use screening, stuff steel wool into openings where screening can't be used, such as around pipe penetrations.

A tight seal is crucial on doors, so make sure they establish a tight seal when closed. Installing door sweeps is also a great way to keep these bugs out. And remember, if they do get inside, don't crush them – they leave stains. Instead, vacuum them up and once bagged, place them in hot, soapy water.

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Spotted Lanternfly is a sap-feeding insect native to Eastern Asia, and it's a threat to crops in Maryland.

If you spot a Spotted Lanternfly, call the United States Agriculture Service immediately.

The Emerald Ash Borer is a large threat to Maryland's ash trees, with a high infestation on the eastern shore.

These pests lay eggs within the trees, and you'll find D-shaped exit holes from adults.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is very small, but can be identified by white woolly masses on the underside of branches or bases of needles.

This tiny pest destroys eastern hemlock trees by sucking sap from branches and sometimes injecting a toxin into the tree while feeding.

Asian Longhorned Beetle is a very serious pest that came from wood in China, and it attacks up to 29 types of hardwood trees, but prefers maples.

Adults are only about 1 ½ inches long and are black with white spots, and they have antennas.

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Round holes can be a sign of infestation from this beetle.

Gypsy Moth is native to Europe, and adults have wings with variable patterns of black spots and bands.

Males have brown wings and fluffy antennae, while females are cream-colored and have thin antennae.

These moths cause defoliation, and caterpillars hatch in groups of 1000s and feed on leaves.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is native to East Asia, and it's 14-17mm and dark brown in color.

This bug infests many trees like fruit, shade, and woody ornamentals, and is mainly a pest to agriculture but can be seen in homes.

Red Imported Fire Ant is a stinging insect native to South America, and it's reddish brown in color, and about ⅛-¼ inches.

These ants can damage agriculture like plants and fruits, and are aggressive towards homeowners whose garden or lawn they are on.