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Invasive and nonnative animals in Minnesota

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
  2. European wild boar / Eurasian swine
  3. Invasive terrestrial animals
  4. Invasive aquatic animals
  5. How to report
  6. Sources

32 nonnative animals are named on 4 official lists for Minnesota: “Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)” (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources), “European wild boar / Eurasian swine” (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources), “Invasive terrestrial animals” (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) and “Invasive aquatic animals” (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources).

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.

Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, archived copy, captured March 13, 2026. 1 animal.

European wild boar / Eurasian swine

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, archived copy, captured July 15, 2026. 1 animal.

Invasive terrestrial animals

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, archived copy, captured April 29, 2026. 9 animals.

  • Asian long-horned beetle (early detection species)

  • Brown marmorated stink bug (early detection species)

  • Emerald ash borer
    Photo: Brandon McCracken · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Emerald ash borer

  • European Starling
    Photo: Surly Aardvark · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    European Starling

  • Japanese beetle
    Photo: Cole Shoemaker · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Japanese beetle

  • Jumping worm

  • Mute Swan (early detection species)

  • Spongy moth

  • Spotted lanternfly (early detection species)

Invasive aquatic animals

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, archived copy, captured October 13, 2026. 21 animals.

  • Banded Mystery Snails

  • Bighead Carp

  • Black Carp

  • Bloody Red Shrimp

  • Chinese Mystery Snails

  • Common Carp

  • Faucet Snails

  • Goldfish

  • Grass Carp

  • New Zealand Mud Snail

  • Red Swamp Crayfish

  • Round Goby

  • Rudd

  • Ruffe

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

    Rusty Crayfish

  • Sea Lamprey

  • Signal Crayfish

  • Silver Carp

  • Spiny Waterflea

  • White Perch

  • Zebra Mussel
    Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Zebra Mussel

How to report a sighting in Minnesota

Invasive insects (emerald ash borer, spongy moth, Asian long-horned beetle, brown marmorated stink bug): Minnesota Department of Agriculture "Report a Pest" line 1-888-545-6684. Invasive vertebrates (mute swans, Eurasian swine/wild pigs): the DNR Invasive Species Program and your local conservation officer or wildlife office. Aquatic invasives: your local DNR invasive species specialist. Cougar sightings: the nearest DNR area wildlife office or conservation officer. General DNR line: 888-646-6367. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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. European wild boar / Eurasian swine. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. archived copy, captured July 15, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “No populations of European wild boar are currently known to be in Minnesota.”
  2. Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. archived copy, captured March 13, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are a regulated invasive species in Minnesota”
  3. Invasive terrestrial animals. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. archived copy, captured April 29, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (5)
    “Asian-Long horned beetle*”
    “Brown marmorated stink bug*”
    “Emerald ash borer”
    “Spongy moth (formerly gypsy moth)”
    “Spotted lantern fly*”
  4. Invasive aquatic animals. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. archived copy, captured October 13, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (5)
    “BANDED MYSTERY SNAILS”
    “BLOODY RED SHRIMP”
    “CHINESE MYSTERY SNAILS”
    “NEW ZEALAND MUD SNAIL”
    “RED SWAMP CRAYFISH”
  5. How do I report an invasive terrestrial animal? Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. archived copy, captured April 14, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Report new locations to Minnesota Department of Agriculture or call the ‘Report a Pest’ phone number: 1-888-545-6684.”