INDIANA - As Indiana moves through 2026, the Hoosier State is facing an ecological turning point. While Indiana has long battled non-native species, 2026 has seen several "tipping points" where invasive populations have reached critical levels in both rural forests and suburban backyards.
Here are the five most destructive invaders currently reshaping Indiana's environment and economy this year.
1. Asian Bush Honeysuckle: The Silent Forest Killer
By 2026, Asian Bush Honeysuckle will have been officially documented in all 92 Indiana counties. This upright shrub with arching branches is no longer just a "nuisance"—it is fundamentally changing Indiana's ecosystems.
- The Takeover: It is often the first plant to leaf out in the spring and the last to lose its leaves in the fall, giving it a massive head start over native plants. It creates a dense "monoculture" that prevents native wildflowers and tree seedlings from growing.
- The Tick Connection: A major 2025 study highlighted by Indiana health officials confirmed that thickets of bush honeysuckle harbor higher populations of Lone Star and black-legged ticks. This has led to a surge in tick-borne illnesses, such as ehrlichiosis, across the state.
- Nutritional Void: While birds eat the berries, the fruit is the equivalent of "junk food"—high in sugar but lacking the fats and nutrients birds need for migration.
2. Spotted Lanternfly: The Agricultural Hitchhiker
The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has transitioned from a localized threat to a statewide emergency. As of early 2026, populations have been confirmed in Porter, Elkhart, St. Joseph, Huntington, and Switzerland counties, with sightings now appearing along major trucking corridors.
- The Economic Threat: This planthopper is a direct threat to Indiana's grape, hops, and walnut industries. They use piercing-sucking mouthparts to drain plant sap, weakening or killing them.
- The Honeydew Mess: Like in other states, Indiana residents are dealing with "honeydew"—a sticky waste excreted by the insects that triggers black sooty mold. This mold ruins patio furniture and makes backyard play areas unusable during peak infestation months.
3. Invasive Carp: The River Bullies
The fish formerly known as "Asian Carp" (Bighead, Silver, Grass, and Black Carp) have dominated Indiana's river systems in 2026, particularly the Wabash, White, and Ohio Rivers.
- The 2026 Harvest Push: In January 2026, Indiana officially implemented new permits allowing the use of gill nets and seines for commercial harvest in an attempt to "Eat the Problem."
- Recreational Danger: Silver carp remain a significant hazard to boaters and jet-skiers. The sound of boat motors causes these fish to leap out of the water up to 10 feet, often resulting in injuries and equipment damage.
- Ecosystem Collapse: An adult bighead carp can consume up to 40% of its body weight in plankton every day, starving out native species like paddlefish and gizzard shad.
4. Emerald Ash Borer: The Canopy Destroyer
While the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been in Indiana for years, 2026 marks a "structural crisis" for many municipalities.
- The Aftermath: The vast majority of Indiana's billions of ash trees have already been infested. In 2026, the focus has shifted from "prevention" to "hazardous removal."
- Economic Impact: Many Indiana cities are facing massive budget shortfalls as they struggle to remove thousands of dead, brittle ash trees from city streets and parks before they fall on power lines or homes.
5. Callery Pear (Bradford Pear): The Suburban Escapee
Once a favorite of Indiana landscapers, the Callery Pear is now illegal to sell or distribute in Indiana as of the recent Terrestrial Invasive Plant Rule updates.
- The Invasion: These trees have "escaped" suburban yards and are now clogging Indiana's fallow fields and forest edges. They grow in dense, thorny thickets that are nearly impossible for livestock or hikers to navigate.
- Structural Weakness: Known for their poor branch structure, these trees frequently split during Indiana's spring thunderstorms, causing significant property damage and power outages.