Insects & Other Species
Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals without a spinal column (backbone). They include marine species such as sponges, jellyfish, sea urchins and starfish, freshwater aquatic species such as snails and mussels, and terrestrial species like insects, spiders and worms. On these pages you will find information about a variety of NYSDEC research and management programs concerning invertebrate species.
Endangered and Threatened Invertebrates
The Endangered Species Unit of NYSDEC is responsible for perpetuating and restoring native animal life within the State. Several invertebrate species are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in New York. Fact sheets have been prepared for several of these listed species which include a description of the species, its life history, statewide distribution and habitat, its current status, and management and research needs.
Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrates are larger-than-microscopic invertebrate animals. Because of their abundance and their sensitivity to environmental impacts, they are widely used in biomonitoring programs for assessing water quality. The Stream Biomonitoring Unit of NYSDEC has used aquatic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects, worms, clams, snails and crustaceans) to monitor the water quality of the State's rivers and streams.
Forest Insects and Forest Health
The Division of Lands and Forests, Forest Health Section is responsible for monitoring forest health on private and public lands and to make management recommendations. They have been offered a collection of articles of interest to forest owners with the help of Douglas C. Allen, Professor of Forest Entomology at the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. These articles were written to alert landowners of potential insect pests and their possible effects and to increase awareness and appreciation for those insects that play many beneficial roles in forest communities.
More about Insects & Other Species:
- Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail Fact Sheet - New York State's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species Fact Sheets - Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail
- Dwarf Wedge Mussel Fact Sheet - New York State's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species Fact Sheets - Dwarf Wedge Mussel
- Karner Blue Butterfly Fact Sheet - New York State's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species Fact Sheets - Karner Blue Butterfly
- Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle Fact Sheet - New York State's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species Fact Sheets - Northeastern Beech Tiger Beetle
- American Burying Beetle Fact Sheet - New York State's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species Fact Sheets - American Burying Beetle
- Macroinvertebrates - Picture key to aquatic macroinvertebrates
- Forest Insects Articles - A series of articles about forest insects and forest health.
- Pine Shoot Beetle - The pest alert for the pine shoot beetle.
- Viburnum Leaf Beetle - The pest alert for the Viburnum Leaf Beetle.
- White Pine Weevil Report - This study investigates the hypothesis that there is a genetic difference in the susceptibility of eastern white pine to white pine weevil attack associated with differences in the geographic origin of the host.
