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Invasive and nonnative animals in Idaho

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Snake River Quagga
  2. Idaho Japanese Beetle Project
  3. Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog
  4. Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog
  5. Trachemys scripta (Pond Slider) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog
  6. Homeowner’s Guide to Yellowjackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and Paper Wasps (BUL 852)
  7. Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton
  8. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list: Mammals, Idaho
  9. USGS established records
  10. How to report
  11. Sources

9 nonnative animals are named on 8 official lists for Idaho: “Snake River Quagga” (Idaho State Department of Agriculture), “Idaho Japanese Beetle Project” (Idaho State Department of Agriculture), “Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog” (Idaho Department of Fish and Game), “Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog” (Idaho Department of Fish and Game), “Trachemys scripta (Pond Slider) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog” (Idaho Department of Fish and Game), “Homeowner’s Guide to Yellowjackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and Paper Wasps (BUL 852)” (University of Idaho Extension), “Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton” (University of Idaho Extension) and “Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list: Mammals, Idaho” (US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database).

The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in Idaho for 1 nonnative animal in the groups this guide covers.

To report a sighting, see how to report.

Being on a list of nonnative species does not always mean an animal is harmful or established: each list below is described in its source's terms. A sighting of a listed animal is still worth reporting to the agency.

Snake River Quagga

Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program), undated page. 1 animal.

Idaho Japanese Beetle Project

Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program), undated page. 1 animal.

Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, archived copy, captured December 7, 2025. 1 animal.

Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, archived copy, captured May 16, 2026. 1 animal.

Trachemys scripta (Pond Slider) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, archived copy, captured May 17, 2025. 1 animal.

Homeowner’s Guide to Yellowjackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and Paper Wasps (BUL 852)

University of Idaho Extension, June 22, 2026. 2 animals.

Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton

University of Idaho Extension, September 1, 2025. 1 animal.

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list: Mammals, Idaho

U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

  • Nutria
    Photo: Sam Kieschnick · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Nutria Myocastor coypus

    USGS NAS: 3 Idaho records, 1958-1961, St. Maries area (Benewah County) and Canyon County, status "established"; no recent record or current status stated US Geological Survey

Established in Idaho, per USGS records

The U.S. Geological Survey's Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database tracks nonnative aquatic animals. These have at least one record with the status "established" in Idaho, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.

AnimalGroupFirst recordLatest recordCounties
Nutria Myocastor coypusMammals195819612

Source: U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026]. "Native Transplant" animals are native elsewhere in the US but not in Idaho.

How to report a sighting in Idaho

Invasive species: Idaho Invasive Species Hotline 1-877-336-8676 (ISDA). Wildlife crimes: Citizens Against Poaching 1-800-632-5999 (IDFG). Bear sightings and conflicts: report to the state wildlife agency (IDFG regional offices). Idaho State Department of Agriculture

Do not try to catch or handle the animal. A photo taken from a safe distance, the place and the date help the agency.

Sources

  1. Snake River Quagga. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In September 2023, ISDA confirmed quagga mussel veligers in the Mid-Snake River, triggering Idaho’s first rapid response plan.”
  2. Idaho Japanese Beetle Project. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “During 2012 the first ever detected JB infestation in Idaho was uncovered when traps in downtown Boise collected 56 JB.”
  3. Collection info: Lithobates catesbeianus, Idaho. U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  4. Collection info: Chelydra serpentina, Idaho. U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  5. Collection info: Trachemys scripta elegans, Idaho. U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  6. Homeowner’s Guide to Yellowjackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and Paper Wasps (BUL 852). University of Idaho Extension. June 22, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (2)
    “Today it is found statewide in Idaho and ranks as our most commonly encountered stinging wasp.”
    “The German yellowjacket is a European species that was first recorded in the northeastern United States during the 1970s and subsequently in Idaho during the 1980s.”
  7. Myocastor coypus (nutria) collection info, Idaho - USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species. U.S. Geological Survey. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  8. Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog. Idaho Department of Fish and Game. archived copy, captured December 7, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Native to Idaho: Exotic”
  9. Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog. Idaho Department of Fish and Game. archived copy, captured May 16, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Native to Idaho: Exotic”
  10. Trachemys scripta (Pond Slider) - Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog. Idaho Department of Fish and Game. archived copy, captured May 17, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Native to Idaho: No - Exotic”
  11. Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton. University of Idaho Extension. September 1, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Hobo spiders are not native to the United States, but western Europe”
  12. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list: Mammals, Idaho. U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Myocastor coypus nutria”
  13. Invasive Species / Pests / Invertebrates. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Idaho Invasive Species Hotline [toll-free]: 1-877-336-8676”
  14. U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].