The “Invasive Disruptors” described in this section are two examples of species that are not native to Connecticut that have the potential to upset the ecological balance or threaten public health.

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes⁵⁸

 

 

 

 

The range of the Asian tiger mosquito is expanding in the United States, including into Connecticut and other northeastern states. Infection rates of mosquito-borne diseases, such as Dengue and Zika, could rise over the long term, as a warming climate creates more favorable habitats for mosquitoes. Connecticut is expected to get warmer and wetter over the coming century, enhancing mosquito populations by creating more suitable habitat. Precipitation during the summer months and winter temperatures impact on the number of mosquitoes in the state. Additional information about mosquito management in Connecticut can be found on Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) website or the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) - portal.ct.gov/CAES.

Emerald Ash Borer

 

 

 

 

It is assumed that the emerald ash borer (EAB), which attacks ash trees almost exclusively, is now present in every town in the state. In Connecticut, ash trees make up just slightly less than three percent of the trees in the forest, most of which are white ash. However, the loss of ash trees in a forest stand also reduces vital habitat and allows undesirable invasive plants to fill the gaps that are created. Movement of ash, in particular as firewood, nursery stock, logs and wood packaging materials, has been cited as the most likely means by which EAB has spread so rapidly.⁵⁹  Parasitoid wasps were released in the Northeast United States, including Connecticut, as a biological control for EAB; however, the long term success of such control measures is unknown.⁶⁰ Additional information about the emerald ash borer in Connecticut can be found on DEEP’s website or CAES - portal.ct.gov/CAES. 

 

_{Technical Note: Collection data for mosquitoes for 2016-2018 has been modified from previous reports because of the introduction of new data from a trapping site in Bridgeport. Information on other invasive species can be found in the Council’s 2022 special report Invasives: Previously Described and Newly Arrived.}