This pest guide focuses on the most common insects intercepted on Christmas trees from Oregon. For Mexico this includes: Douglas-fir needle midge, Douglas-fir twig weevil, root weevils, and yellowjackets. For Hawaii the most commonly intercepted pests are slugs.

Different shipping destinations list different pests for quarantine. Thus, it is essential to identify and closely adhere to shipping requirements. Check your state’s Department of Agriculture website to learn about shipping regulations and pest quarantine lists.

Pests of concern for Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Mexico are listed below. Check your state’s Department of Agriculture website to learn more about these destinations and access quarantine lists for other destinations.

Hawaii

Slugs, snails, and yellowjackets (Vespula spp.)

Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia

European brown garden snail (Cornu aspersa, also known as Helix aspersa)

Mexico

Pests of concern for Oregon pines and spruce:

  • Rhyacionia buoliana (European pine shoot moth)
  • Pissodes strobi (White pine weevil)

Pests of concern for Oregon Douglas-fir and noble fir:

  • Cylindrocopturus furnissi (Douglas-fir twig weevil)
  • Contarinia constricta (Douglas-fir needle midge)
  • Vespula germanica (German yellowjacket)

Mites of concern:

  • Nalepella ednae (Eriophyid mite)
  • Epitrimerus pseudotsugae (Eriophyid mite)

Note: Mexico has pests on its quarantine list that are either not known to exist in Oregon or are not typically pests of Oregon Christmas trees.

Pests not known to exist in Oregon:

  • Choristoneura fumiferana (Eastern spruce budworm)
  • Diprion similis (Pine sawfly)
  • Lymantria dispar (Gypsy moth)
  • Tomicus piniperda (Pine shoot beetle)
  • Paradiplosis tumifex (Balsam gall midge)

Insects not typically pests of Oregon Christmas trees:

  • Choristoneura occidentalis (Western spruce budworm)
  • Orgyia pseudotsugata (Douglas-fir tussock moth)