Plant Pests and Diseases

Last Modified: March 12, 2024

When plant pests capable of harming our Nation’s forests, damaging U.S. crops, or disrupting trade become established in the United States, we work to control and, when possible, eliminate them from our country.

Plant Pests

Insects and Mites
Adult Female Spongy Moth
Mollusks
African giant snail
Nematodes
Microscopic round, white Globodera pallida cysts on potato roots
Noxious Weeds
spotted knapweed

Browse by Plant Pest (A-Z):

Plant Diseases

Black Stem Rust and Barberry
Reddish-brown pustules on a wheat stem will turn black as it decays.
Chrysanthemum White Rust
White and yellow spots on green chrysanthemum leaves.
Citrus Diseases
citrus black spot
Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus
Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus
European Larch Canker
Large canker lesion on the trunk of a larch tree.
Gladiolus Rust
Clusters of brown spots covering areas of gladioli leaves.
Karnal Bunt
Two ears of smutted wheat
Phytophthora ramorum
Green, curling rhododendron leaf with black-ish brown spots indicative of phytophthora ramorum infection
Plum Pox
Yellow rings on a yellow-fleshed peach.
Potato Diseases
Potato tuber cut open to show areas of black and brown rot in the tuber flesh caused by Dickeya chrysanthemi.
Ralstonia Solanacearum
Geranium plant with wilted, yellowing leaves.
Sugarcane Diseases
Pencil line symptoms of leaf scald
Thousand Cankers Disease
Canker produced approximately 5 weeks following introduction of Geosmithia (isolate 12-181) into Southern California walnut seedling. Sporulation of the fungus is occuring at the edges of the wound.

Plant Pest Services and Activities

Biological Control Program

Learn how APHIS works with cooperators to develop and use biological control technologies to manage pests.
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

Learn how APHIS and partners conduct exotic plant pest surveys to protect U.S. agriculture and natural resources.
Plant Health Domestic Program and Emergency Response Manuals

View manuals APHIS employees and others authorized by APHIS use to carry out official plant health programs and emergency response operations.
Federally Recognized State Managed Phytosanitary Program

Learn how States may petition APHIS to recognize State-managed plant health programs and harmonize import and interstate requirements for pests not regulated at the Federal level.
National Honey Bee Surveys

Learn more about this national, APHIS-funded survey that is the most comprehensive honey bee pest and health survey to date.
Integrated Plant Health Information System

Learn how this web-based system supports real-time data collection and management for domestic and emergency pest programs.
Request APHIS Confirmation of a Preliminary Pest Identification

Learn about the process APHIS follows for officially confirming pest identifications that are preliminarily made by a Federal or State official or competent private entity.
Special Needs Request

Learn how States can ask permission to impose additional restrictions on items moving interstate that pose a plant health risk.
Electronic End User Tools

Learn about the mobile data collection tools.
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