Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Pest Alerts - Ornamental Pests

Asian Giant Hornet

Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia)

Asian Giant Hornet has not been found in Rhode Island. There are several native wasps and hornets that can resemble the Giant Asian Hornet but are not a threat to wildlife or our ecosystem. In fact, many of these native species are considered beneficial. The two most mistaken insects in our environment are the Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) and the European Hornet (Vespa crabro). View the factsheet below for comparison photos.

Spotted Lanternfly

Invasive spotted lanternfly in adult and late nymph stages

Light Brown Apple Moth

Light Brown Apple Moth adulte females are yellowish-brown in color with discrete markings.

Box Tree Moth

Box Tree Moth A white and brown moth, the Box Tree Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.6-1.8 inches. Wings have a slight iridescent sheen and can sometimes be completely brown with white dots present on forewings

Green Oak Tortrix Moth

Green Oak Tortrix moths

Variegated Golden Tortrix Moth

Variegated Golden Moth Tortrix

Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth

Summer Moth

False Codling Moth

False Codling Moth

Click Beetle / Wireworms

Click beetle/wireworms are slender with elongated bodies usually black, brown or gray in color. Wireworms are brownish-yellow in color

Australian Grapevine Yellows

Healthy and diseased fruit comparison. Photo by J.K. Uyemoto

Chrysanthemum White Rust

Chrysanthemum White Rust appears on the leaves of Chrysanthemum: Chocolate brown pustules found on both sides of the leaves.

Ramorum Blight (Sudden Oak Death)

Ramo rum Blight, Sudden Oak Death can infect the bark of multiple species of trees as well as foliage and small branches.