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Chapter 13: Slide 2 of 17

Pest of High Significance

What are "pests of high significance"?

Some invasive species are considered more invasive, and more problematic, than others. The Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council (TIPPC) and its partners have identified several species that they have termed "pests of high significance". According to APHIS-PPQ (USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Plant Protection and Quarantine), pests of high significance are pests that attack plants "that can create an economic impact on the nation's natural resources and agriculture".

Some examples are:

  • Pests that can affect the nation's food supply
  • Pests that can impact the nation's ability to facilitate safe trade of agricultural products (protect export markets)
  • Pests that threaten America's trees and forests

In addition, some pests that do not fall into those categories are also considered pests of high significance by TIPPC, because of their negative ecological and/or other effects. A prime example is the zebra mussel.

The "Report It!" page of www.texasinvaders.org lists the species considered pests of high significance in Texas. These should be familiar to you from your training on the Sentinel Pest Network (Chapter 9).

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