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Invasive and nonnative animals in West Virginia

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Voluntary Guidelines (Appendix B)
  2. Non-Native Invasive Species
  3. 2021-2023 West Virginia Tick Surveillance Report
  4. Nutria: Collections in West Virginia
  5. USGS established records
  6. How to report
  7. Sources

60 nonnative animals are named on 4 official lists for West Virginia: “West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Voluntary Guidelines (Appendix B)” (WVDNR), “Non-Native Invasive Species” (WVDNR), “2021-2023 West Virginia Tick Surveillance Report” (WV Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services) and “Nutria: Collections in West Virginia” (US Geological Survey).

The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in West Virginia 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.

West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Voluntary Guidelines (Appendix B)

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), 2014. 51 animals.

  • Alfalfa weevil
    Photo: sentraevant · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Alfalfa weevil Hypera postica

  • Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Anisandrus maiche

  • Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Xyleborus pelliculosus

  • Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Xyleborus californicus

  • Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Ambrosiophilus atratus

  • Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Euwallacea validus

  • Asian bush mosquito
    Photo: Chris Baer · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus

  • Asian Clam Corbicula fluminea

  • Asian Lady beetle
    Photo: Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Asian Lady beetle Harmonia axyridis

  • Asian long‐horned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis

  • Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus

  • Balsam Woolly Adelgid Adelges piceae

  • Banded Elm Bark Beetle Scolytus schevyrewi

  • Beech Scale
    Photo: S. Rae from Scotland, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Beech Scale Cryptococcus fagisuga

  • Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis

  • Blueberry Maggot Rhagoletis mendax

  • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
    Photo: Alexa Hoffman · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys

  • Brown‐headed cowbird
    Photo: Shirley Zundell · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Brown‐headed cowbird Molothrus ater

  • Cabbage White
    Photo: Nancy Clogston · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Cabbage White Pieris rapae

  • Chinese mystery snail Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata

  • Elongate Hemlock Scale
    Photo: Eric R. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · CC BY 3.0 us · Wikimedia Commons

    Elongate Hemlock Scale Fiorina externa

  • Emerald Ash Borer
    Photo: Brandon McCracken · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis

  • Euonymus scale
    Photo: Ken Kneidel · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Euonymus scale Unaspis euonymi

  • European Corn Borer Ostrinia nubilalis

  • European Elm Bark Beetle Scolytus multistriatus

  • European hornet
    Photo: Dexter Hartsfield · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    European hornet Vespa crabro

  • European Paper Wasp
    Photo: Gavin Slater · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula

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

    European starling Sturnus vulgaris

  • Feral cat
    Photo: Sawyer Baran · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Feral cat Felis catus

  • German Yellow Jacket
    Photo: Flocci Nivis · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    German Yellow Jacket Vespula germanica

  • Goldfish Carassius auratus

  • Granulate Ambosia Beetle Xylosandrous crassiusculus

  • Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

  • Gypsy Moth
    Photo: Emmett Collins-Sussman · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar

  • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
    Photo: Alan Weakley · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae

  • House sparrow
    Photo: Sandy Wolkenberg · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    House sparrow Passer domesticus

  • Japanese Beetle
    Photo: Emmett Collins-Sussman · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica

  • Large yellow underwing
    Photo: Amelia Tauber · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Large yellow underwing Noctus pronuba

  • Mexican Bean Beetle
    Photo: Even Dankowicz · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Mexican Bean Beetle Epilachna varivestis

  • Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis

  • Northern snakehead Channa argus

  • Pine Shoot Beetle Tomicus piniperda

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

    Rusty crayfish Orconectes rusticus

  • Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

  • Soybean Aphid Aphis glycines

  • Spotted Wing Drosophila
    Photo: Katja Schulz · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii

  • Virile crayfish Orconectes virilis

  • Walnut twig beetle Pityophthorus juglandis

  • White Fringed Beetle Naupactus leucoloma

  • Yellow‐fever mosquito Aedes aegypti

  • Zebra mussel
    Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha

Non-Native Invasive Species

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), WordPress modified 2026-04-13. 7 animals.

  • Brown Rat
    Photo: Biswarup Ganguly · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus

  • Feral Hog
    Photo: Cullen Hanks · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    Feral Hog

    Destructive and aggressive feral hogs are a growing problem in southern West Virginia WVDNR

  • House Mouse
    Photo: Emily Langdon-Lassagne · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    House Mouse Mus musculus

  • Invasive Carp

  • Roof Rat
    Photo: Davidvraju · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Roof Rat Rattus rattus

  • Spotted Lanternfly
    Photo: Isaac Caswell · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Spotted Lanternfly

    The presence of spotted lanternfly in West Virginia was confirmed in Berkeley County WVDNR

  • Zebra Mussels and Rusty Crayfish

2021-2023 West Virginia Tick Surveillance Report

WV Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services, covers 2021-2023. 1 animal.

  • Asian Longhorned Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis

Nutria: Collections in West Virginia

U.S. Geological Survey, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Established in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.

AnimalGroupFirst recordLatest recordCounties
Nutria Myocastor coypusMammals201220121

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 West Virginia.

How to report a sighting in West Virginia

Report wildlife violations to any WVDNR district office or (844) 484-7367. Report sick or dead wildlife to a local district office. For nuisance wildlife, consult a WVDNR biologist or Natural Resources Police Officer, or hire a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent. For pest questions, WVDA Plant Industries Division: (304) 558-2212. No dedicated WVDNR invasive-species sighting line was found. WVDNR

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. Non-Native Invasive Species. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). WordPress modified 2026-04-13; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (5)
    “Invasive rodents such as roof rats (Rattus rattus), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), and the house mouse (Mus musculus)”
    “Feral hogs destroy agricultural fields and tear up the forest floor when foraging for roots and invertebrates in the soil.”
    “Invasive carp compete with and prey upon native fish species and can pose a serious threat to anglers by leaping out of the water when disturbed.”
    “Invasive insect pests include the emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, hemlock woolly adelgid, and spongy moth.”
    “Aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels, hydrilla, and rusty crayfish negatively impact aquatic communities”
  2. Nutria: Collections in West Virginia. U.S. Geological Survey. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  3. West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Voluntary Guidelines (Appendix B). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 2014; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (40)
    “Insects Alfalfa weevil Hypera postica”
    “Insects Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Anisandrus maiche”
    “Insects Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Xyleborus pelliculosus”
    “Insects Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Xyleborus californicus”
    “Insects Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Ambrosiophilus atratus”
    “Insects Ambrosia/Bark beetle species Euwallacea validus”
    “Insects Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus”
    “Mollusks‐Bivalves Asian Clam Corbicula fluminea”
    “Insects Asian Lady beetle Harmonia axyridis”
    “Insects Asian long‐horned beetle* Anoplophora glabripennis*”
    “Insects Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus”
    “Insects Balsam Woolly Adelgid Adelges piceae”
    “Insects Banded Elm Bark Beetle Scolytus schevyrewi”
    “Insects Beech Scale Cryptococcus fagisuga”
    “Fishes Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis”
    “Insects Blueberry Maggot Rhagoletis mendax”
    “Insects Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys”
    “Birds Brown‐headed cowbird Molothrus ater”
    “Insects Cabbage White Pieris rapae”
    “Mollusks‐Gastropods Chinese mystery snail Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata”
    “Insects Elongate Hemlock Scale Fiorina externa”
    “Insects Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis”
    “Insects Euonymus scale Unaspis euonymi”
    “Insects European Corn Borer Ostrinia nubilalis”
    “Insects European Elm Bark Beetle Scolytus multistriatus”
    “Insects European hornet Vespa crabro”
    “Insects European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula”
    “Birds European starling Sturnus vulgaris”
    “Mammals Feral cat Felis catus”
    “Insects German Yellow Jacket Vespula germanica”
    “Fishes Goldfish Carassius auratus”
    “Insects Granulate Ambosia Beetle Xylosandrous crassiusculus”
    “Fishes Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella”
    “Insects Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar”
    “Insects Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae”
    “Birds House sparrow Passer domesticus”
    “Insects Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica”
    “Insects Large yellow underwing Noctus pronuba”
    “Insects Mexican Bean Beetle Epilachna varivestis”
    “Fishes Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis”
  4. 2021-2023 West Virginia Tick Surveillance Report. WV Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services. covers 2021-2023; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…invasive tick species (e.g., Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis)”
  5. West Virginia Reptile and Amphibian Regulations (summary). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 05/2023; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Citizens may report violations to any DNR district office or call (844) 484-7367.”
  6. U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].