Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.

Orconectes virilis is a crayfish native to the northern US that has been introduced to other parts of the contiguous US, Mexico, and Europe. Its introductions have resulted in declines of native macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, and fish. The species is known to carry and/or be susceptible to two OIE-reportable diseases. High climate match and history of invasiveness argues for a high risk of spread and impact of this species. Overall risk is high.

Publication date

Jun 1, 2015

Type of document

High Risk

Program

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.

Fish and Aquatic Conservation

The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. From habitat restoration to aquatic invasive species prevention, captive breeding to population assessment and monitoring, our programs are driven by the...

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Aquatic invasive species cause tremendous harm to our environment, our economy, and our health. They can drive out and eat native plants and wildlife, spread diseases, and damage infrastructure. We work to protect our waterways and the communities that depend on them from the threat of invasive...

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Preventing the introduction of new harmful species is the only way to fully avoid impacts of injurious species on local, regional, and national economies and infrastructure, and on the natural resources of the United States.

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Subject tags

Invasive species