Invasive species are organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes economic, social or environmental harm. Invasive species cause massive economic damage each year and are a serious threat to American farmers’ productivity and livelihoods. Estimates of the damage to U.S. agriculture caused by invasive species are up to $137 billion per year. The majority of these costs are due to direct damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure, rather than management or prevention efforts. Feral hogs alone are responsible for approximately $1.5 billion in agricultural damages annually across the U.S.¹

Land-grant universities are at the forefront of research, education, and outreach to develop and apply new and emerging technologies and practices that more effectively detect, monitor, and control invasive species. Their research leads to practical solutions that help farmers implement best practices for prevention and control. By leveraging Cooperative Extension’s local presence in every U.S. county and state-based specialists, these institutions play vital roles in delivering essential rapid response initiatives. As a result, farmers have opportunities to quickly and effectively manage existing and emerging threats.

Land-grant universities combat several high-impact invasive species including:

Spotted Lanternfly threaten more than 50 commercially grown crops and plant species. This poses a severe and escalating threat to regional economies, particularly in agriculture and forestry, with potential economic damage in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually if not controlled.⁵

Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station: Enlisting the help of natural predators to curb the spread of harmful spotted lanternfly
Through field and lab experiments — and the help of more than 1,200 community scientists — researchers in Pennsylvania identified native species (including birds, arthropods, reptiles and small mammals) that prey on adult spotted lanternflies, an incredibly destructive pest in the northeastern U.S.

Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station: Zeroing in on egg hatch timing can help control spotted lanternflies
Penn State scientists have developed an online tool that allows users to view the probability of egg hatch for invasive spotted lanternflies for a geographic region based on recent weather conditions. Having a better idea of when eggs will hatch can help with control tactics to reduce the number of hatching nymphs.

Cornell Cooperative Extension: Reducing the Speed of the Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly
Extension educators provided kits for identifying invasive spotted lanternflies and trainings in Spanish for farm workers, who can help stop the pest from spreading. Extension is exploring whether dogs can detect spotted lanternfly egg masses.

University of Vermont Extension: Volunteers Hunt for Tree of Heaven and Spotted Lanternfly in Vermont
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry program trained volunteers to identify and monitor this invasive pest and its preferred host tree, the tree of heaven. Early detection of the spotted lanternfly allows for proactive measures to be taken to manage this pest, which, once established in an area, can have a devastating economic impact on Vermont’s agricultural and tourism industries.

Washington State University Extension: Invasive Species Research and Extension in Washington State
Extension outreach to improve recognition, determine diagnosis, and articulate treatment options of pests through integrated pest management practices has dramatically increased detection and timely response to invasive species.

Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station: Virginia Tech researchers train dogs and their owners to help detect spotted lanternfly eggs before they become major threat to growers
With early detection, the spotted lanternfly will be more effectively managed, and thus, it will slow down the rate of spread to further south, the path they are currently projected. And as the “dog detectives” master their craft, the research group will be challenging them to detect additional harmful predators, like the deadly plant pathogen and powdery mildew.

Managing invasive species
Land-grant universities are leading the battle against invasive species. Nearly every terrestrial, wetland and aquatic ecosystem in the United States has been invaded by non-native species, with economic losses estimated at $137 billion per year.

Extension programs help producers, communities manage pests sustainably
Agricultural land and natural ecosystems face growing threats from invasive and noxious grasses and weeds, feral animals, pests and diseases that impair agricultural productivity. Extension educators help agricultural producers and communities develop and implement pest management strategies that are cost-effective and minimize risks.

Research and outreach on invasive species keep agriculture productive, profitable
Land-grant university research and outreach is helping manage the impacts invasive weeds and species have on growers and agricultural productivity.

RESEARCH
Invasive species cost U.S. agriculture up to $137 billion each year. See how cutting-edge research at [@institution] is helping combat invasive [species] to protect [commodity] producers: [project]

EXTENSION
Invasive species can threaten [state] farmers' livelihoods. [@institution] Cooperative Extension is here to help, with [hands-on training, online resources, etc.] to equip producers with the tools they need to protect their crops and combat invasive threats.

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• Land-grant Impacts
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