Invasive and nonnative animals in Maryland
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
29 nonnative animals are named on 2 official lists for Maryland: “Invasive and Exotic Species in Maryland: Animals” (DNR) and “Spotted Lanternfly Identification & Management” (Maryland Department of Agriculture).
The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in Maryland 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.
Invasive and Exotic Species in Maryland: Animals
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), archived copy, captured May 15, 2026. 28 animals.
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Asian Longhorned Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis
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Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea
Statewide DNR
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Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus
Central; Southern; Eastern DNR
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Photo: Alexa Hoffman · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys
Statewide DNR
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Photo: Paul Danese · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Canada Goose (resident) Branta canadensis
Statewide DNR
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Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis
Central; Southern; Eastern DNR
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Chinese Mystery Snail Cipangopaludina chinensis
Western; Central; Southern DNR
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Photo: Brandon McCracken · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis
Western; Central; Southern DNR
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European Green Crab Carcinus maenas
Eastern DNR
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Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris
Central; Eastern DNR
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Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella
Central; Southern, Eastern DNR
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Photo: Emmett Collins-Sussman · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar
Western DNR
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Photo: Alan Weakley · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae
Western DNR
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Photo: Emmett Collins-Sussman · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica
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Photo: Alie / C.A. Kratzer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · iNaturalist · resized Japanese Shore Crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus
Eastern DNR
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Mimic Shiner Notropis volucellus
Central DNR
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Photo: Laura Mae · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Mute Swan (resident) Cygnus olor
Eastern DNR
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Northern Snakehead Channa argus
Central; Southern; Eastern DNR
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Photo: Sam Kieschnick · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist -
Photo: Katja Schulz · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Oriental Beetle Exomala orientalis
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Oriental Weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Central DNR
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Pine Shoot Beetle Tomicus piniperda
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Photo: Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta
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Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Red Swamp Crawfish Procambarus clarkii
Central; Southern; Eastern DNR
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Photo: Peterwchen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Rusty Crayfish Orconectes rusticus
Western; Central DNR
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Southern White River Crawfish Procambarus zonangulus
Central; Southern; Eastern DNR
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Virile Crayfish Orconectes virilis
Western; Central; Southern DNR
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Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha
Central DNR
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Spotted Lanternfly Identification & Management
Maryland Department of Agriculture, as of 2025 per page text. 1 animal.
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Photo: Isaac Caswell · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist Spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula
20 of 23 counties, including Baltimore city (as of 2025) Maryland Department of Agriculture
Established in Maryland, 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 Maryland, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.
| Animal | Group | First record | Latest record | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutria Myocastor coypus | Mammals | 1943 | 2024 | 21 |
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 Maryland.
How to report a sighting in Maryland
Nuisance, injured or sick wildlife: call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497 (USDA Wildlife Services, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays); from outside Maryland 410-349-8055. 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
- Invasive and Exotic Species in Maryland: Animals. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured May 15, 2026; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
Quoted passages (28)
“Asian Longhorned Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis Forested”
“Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Statewide”
“Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake; Bay and Ocean Central; Southern; Eastern”
“Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys Forested; Non-Forested Statewide”
“Canada Goose (resident) Branta canadensis Non-Forested Statewide”
“Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis Stream, River, Pond, and Lake; Bay and Ocean Central; Southern; Eastern”
“Chinese Mystery Snail Cipangopaludina chinensis Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Western; Central; Southern”
“Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis Forested Western; Central; Southern”
“European Green Crab Carcinus maenas Bay and Ocean Eastern”
“Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris Stream, River, Pond, and Lake; Bay and Ocean Central; Eastern”
“Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Central; Southern, Eastern”
“Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar Forested Western”
“Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae Forested Western”
“Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica Forested; Non-Forested”
“Japanese Shore Crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus Bay and Ocean Eastern”
“Mimic Shiner Notropis volucellus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Central”
“Mute Swan (resident) Cygnus olor Bay and Ocean Eastern”
“Northern Snakehead Channa argus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake; Bay and Ocean Central; Southern; Eastern”
“Nutria Myocastor coypus Bay and Ocean Eastern; Southern”
“Oriental Beetle Exomala orientalis”
“Oriental Weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Central”
“Pine Shoot Beetle Tomicus piniperda Forested”
“Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta Forested; Non-Forested”
“Red Swamp Crawfish Procambarus clarkii Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Central; Southern; Eastern”
“Rusty Crayfish Orconectes rusticus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Western; Central”
“Southern White River Crawfish Procambarus zonangulus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Central; Southern; Eastern”
“Virile Crayfish Orconectes virilis Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Western; Central; Southern”
“Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha Stream, River, Pond, and Lake Central”
- Spotted Lanternfly Identification & Management. Maryland Department of Agriculture. as of 2025 per page text; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“As of 2025 we have seen spotted lanternfly in 20 of our 23 counties, including Baltimore city.”
- Wildlife Problems. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured August 29, 2026; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
Quoted passages (1)
“To report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife, call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497.”
- U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].