A primary objective of the Cooperative Agriculture Survey (CAPS) program is
to safeguard our nation's food and environmental security from exotic pests
that threaten our production and ecological systems. The Illinois CAPS program
is a joint effort between several state and federal agencies, including the
Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and
USDA-APHIS-PPQ. This cooperative program focuses exotic pest detection surveys
based on a priority pest list, management of pest survey data, and increased
public awareness and communication of the threats posed.
Illinois has been faced with the arrival of many unwanted, invasive plant
pests and will continue to do so well into the future. Each of these invasive
species has the potential to significantly impact the urban and natural
landscapes of the state. Preventing the arrival of these pests is the best and
most economical form of protection against invasive species. However, should
they arrive, early detection is the key to protecting our natural resources.
Click the link below to find picture charts of unwanted invasive plants in
Illinois.
Invasive Plants Threatening Illinois Habitats