List of non-native arthropods in North America.

Introduction

Ever since the first European explorers arrived in the American continent, plants and animals have been arriving along with them. It is estimated that more than two thousand (2,273) species of insects and arachnids have set residence in this continent, according to the North American Non-Indigenous Arthropod Database of the USDA or NANIAD.
Some were brought intentionally, others arrived on their own. With the increase in traveling and international commerce, the numbers of introduced species probably keeps growing even faster than in earlier times. Some of them become invasive, wreaking havoc in local ecosystems, not just the ones that were introduced accidentally, but also some that were brought intentionally for a variety of reasons and later on managed to escape and spread beyond control. More insects have been introduced intentionally than otherwise, especially to serve as biological controls. It is estimated that over 1700 species have entered this way; most of them are parasitoids or predators of pests.
Among the earliest pests that arrived in colonial times probably were the bed bug Cimex lectularius, cockroaches and the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Probably the earliest insects that were brought intentionally were the domestic bee Apis mellifera and the silk worm Bombyx mori. The silk worm is of no concern to us because, after thousands of years of domestication, it has lost its ability to survive on its own, and it is not found in nature. The honey bee on the other hand is a very resourceful and adaptable creature that has escaped domestication repeatedly and set up housekeeping in tree holes, other natural cavities and even hollow walls, much to the delight of bears and other honey-eating animals. Nowadays it is probably established in most states and there is no way to tell the impact that populations of domestic bees have had on native bees and on native flowers.
In addition to the comprehensive list issued by NANIAD there are a few other resources on the internet that may be of interest here:
A report issued by USDA Forest Service in 1994 lists 368 immigrant plant-eating insects. See:Immigrant Phytophagous Insects: an Annotated List.
Invasive.org, (a joint project of: The Bugwood Network, USDA Forest Service and USDA APHIS PPQ, the University of Georgia – Warnell School of Forest Resources and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Dept. of Entomology) lists 152 species of invasive insects. See Invasive insects.
A report of the University of Florida Invasive Insects (Adventive Pests Insects) in Florida lists 150 species of insects and 35 species of arachnids considered invasive in that state. Note that some of them were introduced to Florida from some other states, not from abroad.
The same thing applies to Invasive Species Resource List provided by the University of Pennsylvania.
Cornell University has a list of some insects used as biocontrols. See Biocontrols. Many of them, but not all have been introduced from other countries.
Perhaps the most complete list of species intentionally introduced as biocontrols is ROBO – Releases of Beneficial Organisms in the United States and Territories. It also includes a list of “target” species, the hosts of prey of the beneficial ones; most of them are undesirable non-natives.
Here, at BugGuide we have approximately 80 species of introduced insects and spiders (as of September 2005) and the numbers keep growing. I think that a list of non-native insects and arachnids with links to the corresponding pages would be of great value. I hope that everybody helps adding species that I missed or new ones as they are added to the guide. I hope to get your help with taxonomic issues, such as the proper sorting of families within larger taxa.

This list includes only non-native species featured in BugGuide in which there is a high degree of certainty of having been introduced. Others have been omitted, but will be added if somebody confirms that they are not native. For each species there is a link to the pertinent page with additional information if available.

Update 7/6/2010. Some introduced or non-native species become invasive. You can find a list of Invasive Species by Chuck Entz, with links and additional information.
Update 7/8/2010. A useful resource: Review of adventive species of Coleoptera (Insecta) recorded from eastern Canada(1)

Table of contents

Class Arachnida
     Order Actinedida
     Order Araneae – Spiders
     Order Ixodida – Ticks
     Order Mesostigmata
     Order Scorpiones – Scorpions

Class Insecta
     Order Microcoryphia – Bristletails
     Order Odonata – Dragonflies and Damselflies
     Order Embiidina – Webspinners
     Order Orthoptera
     Order Dermaptera – Earwigs
     Order Mantodea – Mantids
     Order Blattodea – Cockroaches and Termites
     Order Psocodea
     Order Hemiptera – True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies
           Suborder Auchenorrhyncha – Free-living Hemipterans
           Suborder Heteroptera – True Bugs
           Suborder Sternorrhyncha
     Order Thysanoptera – Thrips
     Order Coleoptera
     Order Hymenoptera
     Order Lepidoptera
     Order Diptera
     Order Siphonaptera

Class Diplopoda – Millipedes
     Order Julida
     Order Spirobolida
     Order Polydesmida

Class Malacostraca – Malacostracans
     Order Isopoda


Class Arachnida


Order Actinedida

Family Tetranychidae – Spider Mites
European red mite, Panonychus ulmi. From Europe


Order Araneae – Spiders

Family Agelenidae – Funnel-Web Spiders
Hobo Spider, Tegenaria agrestis. From Europe, 1930s
Lesser European House Spider, T. domestica. From Europe, 1930s
Giant European House Spider, T. gigantea. From Europe, 1930s

Family Araneidae – Orb Weavers
Garden Spider, Araneus diadematus. From Europe

Family Desidae
No common name, Badumna longiqua. From Australia

Family Miturgidae – Prowling Spiders
Yellow Sac Spider, Cheiracanthium mildei. From southern Europe/Mediterranean

Family Pholcidae – Cellar Spiders
Tailed Daddy-Longlegs, Crossopriza lyoni. From Asia, recently
Marbled Cellar Spider, Holocnemus pluchei. From the Mediterranean, 1970s
Pale Daddy-Longlegs, Smeringopus pallidus
Short-bodied Cellar Spider, Spermophora senoculata

Family Salticidae – Jumping Spiders
Pan-tropical Jumper, Plexippus paykuli
No common name, Myrmarachne formicaria. From Europe, recently

Family Sparassidae – Giant Crab Spiders
Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda venatoria. From Asia

Family Theridiidae – Cobweb Spiders
Brown Widow, Latrodectus geometricus. From Australia and S. Africa


Order Ixodida – Ticks

Family Ixodidae – Hard Ticks
Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Cosmopolitan


Order Mesostigmata

Family Varroidae
Varroa Mite, Varroa sp. From Asia, recently


Order Scorpiones – Scorpions

Family Buthidae
Florida Bark Scorpion, Centruroides gracilis


Class Insecta


Order Microcoryphia – Bristletails

Family Machilidae – Jumping Bristletails
No common name, Petrobius brevistylus. From Europe, 1963
No common name, Trigoniophthalmus alternatus. From southern Europe, 1911


Order Odonata – Dragonflies and Damselflies

Family Libellulidae – Skimmers
Scarlet Skimmer, Crocothemis servilia. From China, Japan, and Australia


Order Embiidina

Family Oligotomidae
No common name, Haploembia solieri. From the Mediterranean
Black Webspinner, Oligotoma nigra. From Egypt/Persian Gulf, 1880s
Saunders' Embiid, Oligotoma saundersii. From India


Order Orthoptera

Family Gryllidae – True Crickets
House Cricket, Acheta domesticus

Family Gryllotalpidae – Mole Crickets
Lesser Short-winged Mole Cricket, Scapteriscus abbreviatus. From South America, early 1900s
Southern Mole Cricket, Scapteriscus borellii. From South America, early 1900s
Tawny Mole Cricket; Changa, Scapteriscus vicinus. From South America, early 1900s

Family Tetigoniidae – Katydids
Drumming Katydid, Meconema thalassinum. From Europe
Roesel’s Katydid, Metrioptera roeselii. From Europe, 1953
Mediterranean Katydid, Phaneroptera nana. From Europe, 1930s
Brown-spotted Bush-cricket, Tessellana tessellata. From Europe


Order Dermaptera – Earwigs

Family Anisolabididae
African Earwig, Euborellia cincticollis. From Africa

Family Chelisochidae
Black Earwig, Chelisoches morio. From Pacific Islands (probably Hawaii)

Family Forficulidae – Little Earwigs
European Earwig, Forficula auricularia. From Europe, early 1900s

Family Labiidae
Lesser Earwig, Labia minor


Order Mantodea – Mantids

Family Mantidae
European Mantis, Mantis religiosa. From Europe, late 1800s
Chinese Mantid, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis. From China

Family Tarachodidae
Mediterranean Mantis, Iris oratoria. From Africa and India


Order Blattodea – Cockroaches and Termites

Family Blaberidae
Discoid Cockroach, Blaberus discoidales(?) From South America
Green Banana Cockroach, Panchlora nivea. From Cuba
Surinam Cockroach, Pycnoscelus surinamensis. From Asia

Family Blattellidae
Asian Cockroach, Blattella asahinai. From Asia
German Cockroach, Blattella germanica. From Europe
Field Cockroach, Blattella vaga. From Asia
Tawny Cockroach, Ectobius lapponicus. From Europe
No common name, Ectobius pallidus
Forest Cockroach, Ectobius sylvestris. From Eurasia, 1980s
No common name, Phyllodromica trivittata. From the Mediterranean, very recently
Brown-banded Cockroach Supella longipalpa. From Africa

Family Blattidae
Turkestan Cockroach, Blatta lateralis. From central Asia
Oriental Cockroach, Blatta orientalis. Probably from Africa or Russia
American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana. From Africa, 1700-1800s
Australian Cockroach, Periplaneta australasiae. From Asia
Brown Cockroach, Periplaneta brunnea(?) From Africa
Smoky Brown Cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa. From Africa

Family Rhinotermitidae - Subterranean termites
Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus. From Asia


Order Psocodea

Family Amphientomidae – Tropical Barklice
No common name, Stimulopalpus japonicus. From Japan, 1950s

Family Caeciliusidae – Lizard Barklice
No common name, Maoripsocus. From Australia, recently

Family Elipsocidae – Damp Barklice
No common name, Cuneopalpus cyanops. From Europe
No common name, Propsocus pulchripennis. From Australia & Tasmania

Family Hemipsocidae – Leaf Litter Barklice
No common name, Hemipsocus chloroticus. From Japan/Southeast Asia

Family Philotarsidae – Loving Barklice
No common name, Philotarsus parviceps. From Europe

Family Pseudocaeciliidae – False Lizard Barklice
No common name, Ophiodopelma sp.? From Borneo, very recently

Family Stenopsocidae – Narrow Barklice
No common name, Graphopsocus cruciatus? Probably from Europe or Asia, 1930s

Family Trichopsocidae – Lash-faced Psocids
No common name, Trichopsocus acuminatus
No common name, Trichopsocus clarus. From Europe


Order Hemiptera – True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies


Suborder Auchenorrhyncha – Free-living Hemipterans

Family Caliscelidae – Piglet Bugs
No common name, Caliscelis bonellii. From Europe

Family Cercopidae – Spittlebugs
European Alder Spittlebug Aphrophora alni. From Europe
No common name, Lepyronia coleoptrata. From Europe
No common name, Neophilaenus lineatus. From Europe
Meadow Spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius. From Europe

Family Cicadellidae – Leafhoppers
No common name, Alebra wahlbergi. From Europe
No common name, Aphrodes bicinctus. From Europe
No common name, Aphrodes costatus. From Europe
Silver Maple Leafhopper, Athysanus argentarius. From Europe
No common name, Balclutha rosea. From Europe
No common name, Balclutha rufofasciata. From Europe
No common name, Deltocephalus pulicaris. From Europe
No common name, Empoasca luda. From Europe
No common name, Eupteryx atropunctata. From Europe
Sage Leafhopper, Eupteryx melissae. From Europe
No common name, Evacanthus interruptus. From Europe
No common name, Fagocyba douglasi. From Europe
Privet Leafhopper, Fieberiella florii. From Europe
No common name, Iassus lanio. From Europe, very recently
No common name, Idiocerus fulgidus. From Europe, very recently
No common name, Idiocerus stigmaticalis. From Europe
Japanese Maple Leafhopper, Japananus hyalinus. From Japan
Rubus Leafhopper, Macropsis fuscula. From Europe
No common name, Macropsis infuscata. From Europe
No common name, Macropsis notata. From Europe
No common name, Macropsis ocellata. From Europe
Beet Leafhopper, Neoaliturus tenellus. Recently
No common name, Oncopsis flavicollis. From Europe
No common name, Orientus ishidae. From Asia, ca. 1919
No common name, Pagaronia minor. From Japan
No common name, Ribautiana tenerrima. From Europe
European Elm Leafhopper, Ribautiana ulmi. From Europe
No common name, Sophonia orientalis. From Taiwan
No common name, Typhlocyba quercus. From Europe
No common name, Zygina flammigera. From Europe

Family Flatidae – Flatid Planthoppers
Torpedo bug Siphanta acuta. From Australia, 1983

Suborder Heteroptera – True Bugs

Family Artheneidae
Bulrush Bug, Chilacis typhae. From Palaearctic, first reported 1987
No common name, Holcocranum saturejae. From Palaearctic, first reported 1995

Family Cimicidae – Bed Bugs
Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius. From Europe, by early colonists

Family Coreidae – Leaffooted Bugs
No common name, Centrocoris variegatus
Giant Sweetpotato Bug Spartocera batatas. From Surinam/Caribbean, 1995

Family Gelastocoridae – Toad Bugs
No common name, Nerthra fuscipes. From Mexico

Family Lygaeidae – Seed Bugs
Birch Catkin Bug, Kleidocerys resedae. From Europe

Family Microphysidae – Minute Bladder Bugs
No common name, Myrmedobia exilis. From Palaearctic, recently

Family Nabidae – Damsel Bugs
Grey Damsel Bug, Anaptus major. From Palaearctic, recently

Family Pentatomidae – Stink Bugs
African Cluster Bug, Agonoscelis puberula. From Africa, 1990
Bagrada Bug, Bagrada hilaris. From Africa
No common name, Euschistus acuminatus. From the Caribbean
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys. From Asia
No common name, Picromerus bidens. From Europe

Family Pyrrhocoridae – Red Bugs
No common name, Scantius aegyptius. From the Middle East(?)

Family Reduviidae – Assassin Bugs
Masked Hunter, Reduvius personatus. From Europe

Family Rhyparochromidae – Dirt-colored Seed Bugs
No common name, Raglius alboacuminatus. From Europe, recently
No common name Rhyparochromus vulgaris. From Europe, recently
Mediterranean Seed Bug, Xanthochilus saturnius. From Europe, recently

Family Thyreocoridae – Negro Bugs
Bean Plataspid, Megacopta cribraria. From Asia, recently

Family Tingidae – Lace Bugs
No common name, Acalypta parvula. From Europe or Russia
Andromeda Lace Bug, Stephanitis takeyai. From Japan

Suborder Sternorrhyncha – Plant-parasitic Hemipterans

Family Adelgidae
Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid, Adelges abietis, from Europe, before 1900
Balsam Woolly Adelgid, Adelges piceae
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae, from Southeast Asia

Family Aleyrodidae – Whiteflies
Giant Whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii. From Mexico, 1992
Silverleaf Whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii. Probably from India, late 1880s

Family Aphididae – Aphids
Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. From Europe, 1877
Black Bean Aphid, Aphis fabae. Probably from Europe
Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycine. From Asia, recently
Oleander Aphid, Aphis nerii. Probably from the Mediterranean
No common name, Aphis craccivora. From Palaearctic, 1890
No common name, Aphis sambuci. From Europe, 1847
No common name, Aphis spiraecola. From Europe, 1907
Foxglove Aphid, Aulacorthum solani. From Palaearctic, 1879
No common name, Brachycaudus cardui. From Europe, 1887
Leafcurl plum aphid, Brachycaudus helichrysi. From Europe, 1893
Mealy Cabbage Aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae. From Europe
No common name, Capitophorus hippophaes
Fringed Orchid Aphid, Cerataphis orchidearum. From East Asia, 1923
Hazelnut Aphid, Corylobium avellanae. Very recently
No common name, Drepanosiphum oregonensis. From Europe, 1914
Mint aphid, Eucarazzia elegans. From Europe, 1984
Coriander, fennel and honeysuckle aphids, Hyadaphis spp. Three species, from Asia
Mealy Plum Aphid, Hyalopterus pruni. From the Mediterranean, 1879
Chrysanthemum Aphid, Macrosiphoniella sanborni. From East Asia, 1891
Purple-spotted Lily Aphid, Macrosiphum lilii. From Palaearctic?, 1878
Rose Aphid, Macrosiphum rosae. From Europe, 1841
Balsam Twig Aphid, Mindarus abietinus. From Europe, 1879
Black Cherry Aphid, Myzus cerasi. From Europe, 1916
Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae. From East Asia, 1841
Podocarpus Aphid, Neophyllaphis podocarpi. From Australasia, 1954
Woolly Beech Aphid, Phyllaphis fagi. From Europe
No common name, Pterocomma salicis. From Palaearctic, 1886
No common name, Rhopalomyzus lonicerae. From Europe, 1912
Crapemyrtle Aphid, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani. From Asia
Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum. From Palaearctic, 1884
Asian Woolly Hackberry Aphid, Shivaphis celti. From Asia, 1990s
English Grain Aphid, Sitobion avenae. From Eurasia
Bamboo Aphid, Takecallis arundinariae. From Asia
No common name, Tetraneura ulmi. From Palaearctic, 1890
Giant Willow Aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus. From Europe, 1872
No common name, Uroleucon cirsii. From Europe, 1956
No common name, Uroleucon sonchi. From Europe

Family Berytidae – Stilt Bugs
No common name, Berytinus minor. From Palaearctic

Family Blissidae
No common name, Ischnodemus variegatus. From South and Central America, 2000

Family Coccidae – Soft Scale Insects
Kuno Scale, Eulecanium kunoense. From East Asia

Family Ericoccidae – Felt Scales
European Elm Scale, Gossyparia spuria. From Europe

Family Margarodidae – Giant Scale Insects
Cottony Cushion Scale, Icerya Purchasi,. From Australia, 1866

Family Psyllidae – Jumping Plant Lice
Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri. From Asia
Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid, Eucalyptolyma maideni. From Australia
Red Gum Lerp, Glycaspis brimblecombei. From Australia, 1998


Order Thysanoptera – Thrips

Family Phlaeothripidae – Tube-tailed Thrips
Cuban Laurel Thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum. From Southeast Asia, 1880s
Myoporum Thrips, Klambothrips myopori. From Australia/New Zealand, recently


Family Thripidae
Chilli Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis. From Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent; recently

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Part II. Non-native Holometabolous insects

Order Coleoptera
Order Hymenoptera
Order Lepidoptera
Order Diptera
Order Siphonaptera

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Class Diplopoda – Millipedes


Order Julida

Family Blaniulidae
No common name, Blaniulus guttulatus. From Europe

Family Julidae
No common name, Brachyiulus. From Europe
No common name, Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus. From Europe
No common name, Ophyiulus pilosus. From Europe


Order Spirobolida

Family Rhinocricidae
No common name, Eurhinocricus


Order Polydesmida

Family Paradoxosomatidae
No common name, Asiomorpha coarctata. From Asia

Family Polydesmidae
Greenhouse Millipede, Oxidus gracilis. From Asia
No common name, Polydesmus. From Europe



Class Malacostraca – Malacostracans

Order Isopoda

Family Armadillidiidae – Pillbugs
Wood Louse, Armadillidium vulgare

Family Oniscidae – Sowbugs
European Sowbug, Oniscus asellus. From Europe

Family Philosciidae
No common name, Philoscia muscorum. From Europe