The European Commission published an update of the list of invasive alien species of Union concern in the Official Journal on July 18th 2025: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1422 of 17 July 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 to update the list of invasive alien species of Union concern.

26 species have been added to the list. Reynoutria japonica, R. sachalinensis, R. x bohemica and Crassula helmsii can be considered the most relevant for Luxembourg on the updated list.

 Page content last updated on 2025-07-27.

Picture by Stefan Ehl, EFOR-ERSA

The water primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora (Michx.) Greuter & Burdet), IAS of union concern since 2016, was first documented for Luxembourg on 21 July 2025 by Stefan Ehl in a dried out pond near Leudelange.

Picture by Stefan Ehl, EFOR-ERSA

 Page content last updated on 2025-07-30.

A new brochure provides information on invasive neophytes and their alternatives, which are particularly suitable for landscaping gardens and green spaces as well as for promoting biodiversity. The guide is aimed at the entire horticultural and urban planning sector as well as local authorities and private individuals. The brochure in German elaborated by Emweltberodung Lëtzebuerg and published by Administration de la nature et des forêts can be downloaded here: neophyte-guide.

 Page content last updated on 2025-05-02.

Based on the results of two workshops with numerous experts from the fields of biodiversity and invasive alien species, the action plan ‘Reducing the impact of Invasive Alien Species on endangered species and habitats of Community interest’ (RedIAS_Action_plan_Version_5.2) has been finalised. The goal of the action plan is to achieve the National Plan for Nature Conservation’s (PNPN3) objective of reducing the number of red-listed species threatened by invasive alien species (IAS) by 50% and reducing the number of habitat types of Community Interest deteriorated by IAS by 50% by 2030.  

 Page content last updated on 2025-01-23.

An occurence of Cyperus esculentus in Luxembourg has been reported by a horticultural company in Troisvierges and was confirmed by Jean-Paul Wolff (ATEMO) on 27 August 2024. This is to be seen as the first documented observation of the species in Luxembourg. Tigernut grass is known as an agricultural pest in Switzerland and elsewhere. It reproduces and spreads mainly by root nodules and can lead to considerable yield losses in arable and vegetable farming. The invasive weed has a very high propagation potential. Consequently, every effort should be made to prevent its spread. The potentially concerned stakeholders must be made aware of this problem so that they can intervene at an early stage if necessary.

C. esculentus in Troisvierges (JP Wolff – ATEMO, 27.08.2024)

 Page content last updated on 2024-09-13.

In June 2024, the Ministry of the environment, climate and biodiversity published the National Strategy for Invasive Alien Species. This strategy was drawn up by the Nature and Forestry Administration (ANF), in collaboration with a number of stakeholders, with the aim of preventing the introduction, establishment and management of these species through appropriate measures. The effectiveness of this strategy will be enhanced by the active participation of various stakeholders, including public authorities, local authorities, biological stations, hunters, fishermen, gardeners, landscapers and the general public.

To achieve this objective, the ANF is focusing on raising public awareness and getting the public actively involved in identifying and reporting IAS. The aim is to control their spread in the natural environment, in order to minimise their negative impact on biodiversity, ecosystem services, human health and the economy.

 Page content last updated on 2024-06-26.

The Ministry of Health informs that eggs of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus have been detected near Capellen (Municipality of Mamer) in the week of 17-23 July 2023.

In the next few days, the Luxembourg authorities, with the support of an expert, will assess the situation and take all necessary actions.

Communicated on 2023-07-31 by the Ministry of Health: Détection de la présence du moustique tigre au Luxembourg

The invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus has first been detected in 2022: First detection of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus in Luxembourg

More information:

• How to deal with mosquitoes around my house? (LB, FR, DE, EN, PT)
• Aedes albopictus on neobiota.lu (EN)
• Monitoring mosquito populations in Luxembourg (FR)

 Page content last updated on 2024-06-26.

The Directorate General for Environment of the EU has published an introduction to the 88 invasive alien species of Union concern. This brochure presents, at a glance, the currently listed invasive alien species of Union concern, offering brief, non-technical and informal summaries of each of the 88 species. This includes dedicated descriptions of their main biological and ecological features, along with information on their origin, present distribution in the EU, pathways of introduction into the EU, how they threaten European native biodiversity, and which management measures are currently available to mitigate their impacts.

This publication has been produced under the supervision of IUCN within the framework of contract No. 09.0201/2021/856079/SER/ENV.D.2 “Technical and Scientific support in relation to the Implementation of Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species”.

Brundu, Giuseppe, Katie E Costello, Gwen Maggs, Chiara Montagnani, Ana L Nunes, Jan Pergl, Jodey Peyton, Peter Robertson, Helen Roy, Riccardo Scalera, Kevin Smith, Wojciech Solarz, Elena Tricarico & Johan van Valkenburg, 2022. An introduction to the invasive alien species of Union concern. Version 2022. 187 p. Euopean Commission, Environment.

→ Download in PDF format (366 MB)

 Page content last updated on 2023-01-23.