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Invasive and nonnative animals in Iowa

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Aquatic Invasive Species
  2. Spotted Lanternfly
  3. Emerald Ash Borer
  4. How to report
  5. Sources

18 nonnative animals are named on 3 official lists for Iowa: “Aquatic Invasive Species” (Iowa DNR), “Spotted Lanternfly” (Iowa DNR) and “Emerald Ash Borer” (Iowa DNR).

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.

Aquatic Invasive Species

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR), sitemap lastmod 2026-02-23. 16 animals.

  • Bighead carp

  • Black carp

  • Fishhook waterflea

  • Marbled crayfish

  • New Zealand mudsnail

  • Quagga mussel

  • Red swamp crayfish

  • Round goby

  • Rudd

  • Ruffe

  • Rusty crayfish
    Photo: Peterwchen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

    Rusty crayfish

  • Silver carp

  • Snakehead

  • Spiny waterflea

  • White perch

  • Zebra mussel
    Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Zebra mussel

Spotted Lanternfly

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR), sitemap lastmod 2025-10-09. 1 animal.

Emerald Ash Borer

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR), sitemap lastmod 2026-04-22. 1 animal.

How to report a sighting in Iowa

Aquatic invasive species: report suspected sightings to the nearest Iowa DNR fisheries station or by email (address on the DNR AIS page, [email protected] as decoded from the page link). Elk sightings: local conservation officer or wildlife field staff. Nuisance wildlife in a home: a DNR-licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator. Iowa DNR

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. Emerald Ash Borer. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). sitemap lastmod 2026-04-22; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Since then, the beetle has moved westward through the state, and new infestations have been found on an ongoing basis.”
  2. Aquatic Invasive Species. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). sitemap lastmod 2026-02-23; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (3)
    “New Zealand mudsnail”
    “Red swamp crayfish”
    “Learn to identify aquatic invasive species and report any suspected sightings to the nearest DNR fisheries station.”
  3. Spotted Lanternfly. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). sitemap lastmod 2025-10-09; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive plant hopper native to China.”