Priority Invasives
WNY PRISM Species Priorities were first established in 2015, having been developed through our Terrestrial and Aquatic Working Groups. The Early Detection and Watchlist/Approaching Region Priority lists are updated as new threats emerge.
Working Groups communicate through in-person meetings and email. If you are interested in being part of our Working Groups, please contact Andrea Locke, WNY PRISM Coordinator at lockeas@buffalostate.edu.
Invasive Species Prioritization Tiers
The New York State Invasive Species Program has developed a tiered ranking system for invasive species, to provide management and prioritization assistance. WNY PRISM has currently ranked 85 species (available here) and will continue to work through the process of ranking of additional species.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 species (including early detection and watchlist species) represent WNY PRISM’s highest priority species, followed by Tier 3 and lastly, Tier 4.
Early Detection Priorities
| 1. Ampelopsis brevipendunculata | Porcelain Berry |
| 2. Aralia elata | Japanese Angelica Tree |
| 3. Brachypodium sylvaticum | Slender False Brome |
| 4. Cytisus scoparius | Scotch Broom |
| 5. Eichhornia crassipes | Water Hyacinth |
| 6. Microstegium vimineum | Japanese Stiltgrass |
| 7. Nymphoides peltata | Yellow Floating Heart |
| 8. Persicaria perfoliata | Mile-a-Minute |
| 9. Pistia stratiotes | Water Lettuce |
Watchlist/Approaching Region Priorities
| 1. Aldrovanda vesiculosa | Waterwheel |
| 2. Anoplophora glabripennis | Asian Longhorned Beetle |
| 3. Channa argus | Northern Snakehead |
| 4. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix | Silver Carp |
| 5. Hypophthalmichthys nobilis | Bighead Carp |
| 6. Impatiens glandulifera | Himalayan Balsam |
| 7. Lycorma delicatula | Spotted Lanternfly |
| 8. Oplismenus undulatifolius | Wavyleaf Basket Grass |
