- Non-native alert species in Great Britain poster
- Non-native animal Species of Special Concern
- Non-native plant Species of Special Concern
- Information for veterinary surgeries and rescue centres poster
- Mini ID guide to common non-native species and alert species
- ’5 simple things’ you can do to help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species poster
Non-native alert species in Great Britain poster
Have you seen these species?
- American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus
- Monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
- Raccoon Procyon lotor
- Raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides
- Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis
- Sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
- Siberian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus
- Topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva
- Black bullhead Ameiurus melas
- Water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora
- Carolina fanwort Cabomba caroliniana
- Chilean needle-grass Nassella neesiana
- Purple pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea
- Eastern baccharis Baccharis halimifolia
- Broadleaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum heterophyllum
- American lobster Homarus americanus
- Japanese sting winkle Ocinebrellus inornat
- Procambarus fallax f. virginalis
- Yellow-legged (Asian) hornet Vespa velutina
- Chinese mystery snail Cipangopaludina chinensis
- Terrestrial Freshwater Marine
The plants and animals depicted on this poster are ‘Alert Species’ in Great Britain. Invasive non-native species are one of the top threats to global biodiversity, cost the GB economy almost £2 billion a year, and can even harm our health. You can help prevent this by reporting sightings of these species.
Please report sightings immediately with a photo:
- Online at: https://irecord.org.uk/enter-non-native-records
- By email: [email protected]
For more information on non-native species visit: www.nonnativespecies.org.
Non-native animal Species of Special Concern
Invasive non-native animals of Special Concern
- Common myna Acridotheres tristis
- Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
- New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulates
- Pallas’s squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus
- Indian house crow Corvus splendens
- Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis
- Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus
- North American bullfrog Lithobates (Rana) catesbeianus
- Muntjac deer Muntiacus reevesi
- Coypu Myocastor coypus
- Raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides
- Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus
- Spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus (Faxonius limosus)
- Virile crayfish Orconectes virilis (Faxonius virilis)
- Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis
- Signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus
- Chinese sleeper / Amur sleeper Percottus glenii
- Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
- Red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii
- Marbled crayfish Procambarus fallax f. virginalis (Procambarus virginalis)
- Raccoon Procyon lotor
- Fox squirrel Sciurus niger
- Siberian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus
- Sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
- Red-eared terrapin and all sub-species Trachemys scripta
- Asian hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax
The animals depicted above are Species of Special Concern and cannot be brought into Great Britain, kept, bred, transported, placed on the market, used or exchanged, allowed to reproduce, grown or cultivated, or released into the environment. There are some limited exceptions to these restrictions.
Please report sightings immediately with a photo: https://irecord.org.uk/enter-non-native-records
For more information on invasive non-native species visit: www.nonnativespecies.org.
Non-native plant Species of Special Concern
Invasive non-native plants of Special Concern
- Golden wreath wattle Acacia saligna
- Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima
- Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides
- Broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus
- Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca
- Eastern baccharis Baccharis halimifolia
- Fanwort Cabomba caroliniana
- Purple pampas grass Cortaderia jubata
- Nuttall’s waterweed Elodea nuttallii
- Chilean rhubarb Gunnera tinctoria
- Senegal tea plant Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
- Japanese hop Humulus scandens
- Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum
- Persian hogweed Heracleum persicum
- Sosnowsky’s hogweed Heracleum sosnowkyi
- Floating pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
- Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera
- Curly waterweed Lagarosiphon major
- Chinese bushclover Lespedeza cuneata
- Water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora
- Floating primrose-willow Ludwigia peploides
- Vine-like fern Lygodium japonicum
- American skunk cabbage Lysichiton americanus
- Japanese stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum
- Parrot’s feather Myriophyllum aquaticum
- Broadleaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum heterophyllum
- Asiatic tearthumb Persicaria perfoliate
- Salvinia moss Salvinia molesta
- Chinese tallow Triadica sebifera
The plants depicted above are Species of Special Concern and cannot be brought into Great Britain, kept, bred, transported, placed on the market, used or exchanged, allowed to reproduce, grown or cultivated, or released into the environment. There are some limited exceptions to these restrictions.
Please report sightings immediately with a photo: https://irecord.org.uk/enter-non-native-records
For more information on non-native species visit: www.nonnativespecies.org.
Information for veterinary surgeries and rescue centres poster
Guidance on non-native species for animal rescue centres and veterinary surgeries
- Grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis
- Muntjac deer, Muntiacus reevesi
- Raccoon, Procyon lotor
- Siberian chipmunk, Tamias sibiricus
- Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
- Raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides
- Indian house crow, Corvus splendens
- Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
- Sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
- Red-eared terrapin and all sub-species, Trachemys scripta
The animals depicted above are included on the list of Species of Special Concern. There are restrictions on the keeping, trading and sale of these species. They should only be rehomed to premises with an appropriate permit. Non-native animals should not be released or allowed to escape into the wild.
If any of the species listed above, or any other Species of Special Concern, are brought into your centre / surgery, please contact the Non-native Species Inspectorate: [email protected]. For more information on non-native species visit: www.nonnativespecies.org.
Mini ID guide to common non-native species and alert species
What are invasive non-native species? Over 2000 plants and animals from all over the world have been introduced to GB by people. These are known as non-native species. Most are harmless, but 10-15% become invasive non-native species which cause great harm to the environment, cost the economy almost £2 billion a year, and can even harm our health.
How do they harm the environment? Invasive non-native species: • compete with native wildlife for food and habitat
- prey on other species
- spread pests or diseases
- damage habitat
They reduce the ability of wildlife to cope with other pressures including climate change and habitat loss. See overleaf for five simple things you can do to help.
About this leaflet
The plants and animals on this side of this leaflet are examples of invasive nonnative species that have been introduced to Great Britain (GB) in the past and are now well established and having a negative impact. Once established invasive non-native species can be very difficult and costly to manage. Overleaf are species that are not found in the wild in GB, or are present in very low numbers. These ‘alert’ species could have a harmful impact if they were to establish. You can help prevent this by recording them through the iRecord website if you spot them. Scan the QR code on the back of this leaflet to view a full list of alert species and submit your records.
Giant hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum
Very large plant, up to 5 m tall, with sharp bristles and blotchy purple patches on the stem (sometimes stem is completely purple). Leaves are up to 3 m wide, and sharply divided / serrated. Flowerheads are up to 80 cm wide, umbrella shaped, and white / pinkish. WARNING: do not touch this plant. The sap is toxic and causes blistering of the skin on exposure to sunlight.
Himalayan balsam
Impatiens glandulifera
Large plant, up to 2 m tall. Leaves are up to 15 cm long and arranged in whorls of 3-5 or opposite on the stem. Flowers are pink and trumpet shaped, 2.5 - 4 cm long. Grows in dense stands that crowd out native plants, harming other species that rely on them. Dies back in winter leaving riverbanks bare and exposed to erosion.
Wireweed
Sargassum muticum
Large olive-brown seaweed, often over 1 m long. Stem is tough and wiry, with branches that hang like washing from a line when out of the water. Competes with native seaweeds and seagrasses. Can cause a nuisance in harbours and shallow waters where it is a hazard to boating
Floating pennywort
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Freshwater plant with fleshy stems. Leaves are up to 7 cm wide, shiny and kidney-shaped with a crinkled edge, usually broader than long. Quickly forms dense mats which outcompete native plants and interfere with recreation. To get involved in managing this plant, visit nonnativespecies.org/ floatingpennywort
Signal crayfish
Pacifastacus leniusculus
Found in freshwater, resembles a small red / brown lobster, up to 16 cm long. Claws are large with a bright red underside and a turquoise / white blotch on the claw hinge. Harms the native white-clawed crayfish through competition and carries a crayfish plague which is deadly to the native crayfish. Burrows into riverbanks weakening them.
American mink
Neovision vison
Often found near water. Body is 30 - 47 cm long, and tail is 13 - 23 cm long. Fur is glossy and dark brown / black, usually with white patches on chin and throat. Preys on a range of animals including ducks, seabirds, and fish. Linked to a steep decline in native protected water voles.
What can I do?
There are five simple things that you can do to help:
- Keep any boats, clothing, footwear, and equipment used in water free of invasive non-native species – remember to Check Clean Dry after use.
- Be Plant Wise and don’t let your garden, pond, or aquarium plants enter the wild.
- Don’t let them loose! Never release your pets, or allow them to escape into the wild. It could cause them to suffer and harm wildlife.
- Look out for alert species, including yellow-legged (Asian) hornet, and record your sightings.
- Volunteer with a Local Action Group working on invasive species management.
For more information visit: www.nonnativespecies.org.
Water primrose
Ludwigia grandiflora
Creeping freshwater plant that can grow on the water’s surface, or out of it. Leaves can be up to 9 cm long and long and slender, or round / egg shaped. Flowers are up to 3 cm wide, bright yellow, and resemble a primrose. Clogs waterbodies and could cost millions of pounds to manage each year if it were to establish in GB.
Purple pitcher plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Carnivorous plant with a cluster of ‘pitchers’ - modified tubular leaves with hooded open lids, that trap insects. Pitchers are green, yellow, or reddish, with purple veins. The inner surface has downward pointing hairs. Favours important bog habitats where it outcompetes native plants.
Yellow-legged hornet
Vespa velutina (aka Asian hornet)
Flying insect with distinctive yellow ‘socks’, usually 2.5 cm long but queens can be up to 3 cm long. Body and abdomen are dark, abdomen has one obvious yellow / orange band. Highly aggresive predator of native insects and a serious threat to honeybees and other pollinators. This species can sting, do not disturb an active nest.
Chinese mystery snail
Cipangopaludina chinensis
Large freshwater snail, shell height up to 6.5 cm. Shell colour ranges from light in juveniles to olive green, greenish brown, brown, or reddish-brown in adults. Impacts are not well understood but it could outcompete and displace native species, including rare snail species.
Monk parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
Green parakeet, around 30 cm long. Face and breast are pale grey, belly is yellowish, flight feathers are blue, and bill is pale. Feeds on crops causing damage and losses. May damage structures it nests on and can be a nuisance due to its noisy call. May harm native birds through competition for food or by spreading disease.
Raccoon dog
Nycereutes procyonoids
Fox sixed mammal with short legs and tail, body 50-70 cm long. Yellow-red-blackish-grey fur, with dark underside and legs. Small head with sharply pointed muzzle and similar black facial markings to a raccoon, but lacks the raccoon’s long banded tail. Predator of birds and amphibians, and can carry a number of diseases including rabies.
Invasive non-native plants and animals can harm the environment and be costly to the economy Find out how you can help to prevent their spread
’5 simple things’ you can do to help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species poster
· Invasive non-native plants and animals cause great harm to wildlife and the environment and reduce their ability to cope with climate change and habitat loss.
There are five simple things you can do to help:
- If you go fishing, boating or paddling, remember to: Check Clean Dry your clothing, footwear and equipment after leaving the water.
- Be Plant Wise: don’t let your garden, pond, or aquarium plants enter the wild.
- Take care of your pets, never release them or allow them to escape into the wild. It’s cruel and could harm other wildlife.
- Look out for Asian hornet, a predator of honeybees which is not yet established in GB. Record your sightings of this and other alert species through iRecord.
- If you enjoy being outside, why not join a Local Action Group to help manage invasive plants.
Visit www.nonnativespecies.org for more information.