Invasive Pests Threatening Western NC. Brian Heath Pest Control Forester NC Forest Service

Transcription

1 Invasive Pests Threatening Western NC Brian Heath Pest Control Forester NC Forest Service

2 Gypsy Moth

3

4 Leopold Trouvelot Introduced in Boston, MA How d it get here?

5 Host Trees Prefers oak and black willow in the south, but will feed on 100 s of species including apple, sweetgum, basswood, white pine and hawthorn.

6 How do they spread?

7 Hitchhiking egg mass Ballooning larvae

8 Fungal diseases of Gypsy Moth- Entomophaga maimaiga

9 GM Prevention/Detection Trapping Statewide Detection/Eradication Slow the Spread Programs Priority Sites delta

10 NC Statewide trapping One trap every 2 or 3 kilometers. When moths are detected: delimit trapping following year one trap every 500 m. If catch is over 2-3 moths/trap during delimiting trapping-management action needed.

11 GM Prevention-Slow the Spread Decrease rate of spread. Protect forest, forest based resources, urban and rural parks and private property. Avoid damage and management costs. Focuses on low level or discontinuous populations in transition zones.

12 Gypsy Moth Spread in North America -Average 12 miles/yr

13

14

15 2009 Trapping Efforts 18,857 Traps set 4,187 moths caught 610 locations with 1+ moths No spray sites for western NC in 2010!

16 Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum)

17 Sudden Oak Death Cankers caused by this pathogen

18 How does it spread? Nursery Industry Can move infected plants quickly over a very long distance potting medium debris Water Soil

19 How to confirm Sudden Oak Death

20

21 US States with Confirmed P. ramorum January 2005 Forest environs only in CA & OR

22 Current Surveys

23 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) Close-up of adult Woolly protective covering crawlers

24

25 History of HWA Native to Asia Found in Richmond, VA in 1951 Affects Eastern & Carolina Hemlock Found in Western US on Mountain & Western Hemlock, but these species are not adversely affected Moved by Birds, Wind, People and Animals

26 Effects of HWA on Hemlock Depletes food reserves Tree can die within 3-7 years Young and old trees are attacked

27 Chemical Control of HWA

28 Surface Treatments Spray entire tree Apply in the Fall Horticultural Oil 1-2 % Solution Insecticidal Soap 1-2 % Solution

29 Systemic Treatment Merit (Imidacloprid) Soil Injection and Soil Drench 1.6 ounce packet will treat a 48 dbh tree Generic versions are available Make sure to follow the label and wear proper personal protective equipment

30 Procedures for using Merit Soil should be moist on day of application and 7 to 10 days afterwards Amount of chemical used is based on tree diameter Use from March through the end of April, or September through November

31 Procedures for using Merit 75wp Apply near base of the tree Dig a small trench 1-3 feet away from the main stem, about 1-2 inches deep Typically takes 3-6 months for chemical uptake Treatment will last for about 3 years

32 Soil Injection Soil Drench

33 Another Treatment Option Same active ingredient as Merit Can find easily at hardware stores More dilute formulation Good for small number of trees Follow label directions

34 Biological Control of HWA

35 Considerations of Bio-Control Time frame Costs Release sites near chemical treatment sites Predators of the predators Feeding the insects in the rearing facilities Maintaining fresh genetics Evaluating success

36 Predator Beetles Currently raised in New Jersey, North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture, Clemson University, Virginia Tech, University of Georgia, and University of Tennessee Very difficult and costly to raise Not practical for landowners

37 Where are the biological controls found?

38 Sasajiscymnus tsugae Ladybird Beetle

39 Laricobius nigrinus

40 The Future of Hemlocks?

41 Camcore Cooperative including NC State University and the US Forest Service Preserves genetic material for both Carolina and Eastern Hemlocks Seeds are planted and stored in South America Program started in

42 Don t Move Firewood!

43

44

45 Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

46

47 Emerald Ash Borer Dead branches S-shaped feeding galleries D-shaped emergence hole

48 Any Questions?