Invasive and nonnative animals in Illinois
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
3 nonnative animals are named on 3 official lists for Illinois: “Feral Swine” (IDNR), “Multi-agency monitoring leads to detection of young silver carp (IDNR news release)” (IDNR) and “Spotted Lanternfly Identified in Illinois (press release, Illinois Department of Agriculture, posted on the IDNR site)” (Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), via dnr.illinois.gov).
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.
Feral Swine
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Cullen Hanks · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist feral swine (feral hogs) Sus scrofa
IDNR: "As many as 32 counties have reported the presence of feral swine"; first reports in the early 1990s in several southern Illinois counties. IDNR
Multi-agency monitoring leads to detection of young silver carp (IDNR news release)
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. 1 animal.
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invasive carp (silver carp)
Illinois River: established from the Peoria pool southward; young silver carp found in the Marseilles Pool in August 2026 (IDNR). IDNR
Spotted Lanternfly Identified in Illinois (press release, Illinois Department of Agriculture, posted on the IDNR site)
Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), via dnr.illinois.gov, September 26, 2023. 1 animal.
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Photo: Isaac Caswell · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula
First Illinois detection confirmed September 26, 2023 (location not given in the release). Source spells it "Lycorma deliculata". Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), via dnr.illinois.gov
How to report a sighting in Illinois
Report mountain lion, black bear, gray wolf, feral swine, armadillo (north-central/northern counties) and nutria sightings to IDNR through Wildlife Illinois (wildlifeillinois.org/report-sightings/). Report spotted lanternfly with photos to [email protected]. Wildlife Illinois, website authorized by IDNR
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
- Feral Swine. Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“After extensive investigations, two self sustaining breeding populations were identified in Illinois.”
- Multi-agency monitoring leads to detection of young silver carp (IDNR news release). Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Friday, Aug. 14, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“…indicated established invasive carp populations in the lower 240 miles, from the Peoria pool southward”
- Spotted Lanternfly Identified in Illinois (press release, Illinois Department of Agriculture, posted on the IDNR site). Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), via dnr.illinois.gov. September 26, 2023; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia.”
- Report Large Carnivore Sightings (Wildlife Illinois). Wildlife Illinois, website authorized by IDNR (project W-147-T). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“If you have recently seen a mountain lion, black bear, or gray wolf in Illinois, please report the sighting below to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.”