| Section three-IPPM continued |
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| Early detection and rapid response (to exotic woodborers) project |
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The continuing introductions of invasive, exotic woodboring insects pose grave threats to the health and productivity of North American forests, agriculture, and natural resources. While exclusion is the most effective strategy, it is impossible to exclude every exotic insect. The chances of eradicating or effectively controlling a newly introduced exotic species are greatly increased if it is detected soon after its introduction. In the spring of 2000, the National Plant Board and North American State Foresters requested that USDA, APHIS, PPQ, and Forest Service coordinate their agencies’ invasive species efforts. Consequently, a pilot project for a national program to rapidly detect newly introduced or established exotic Scolytidae (bark and ambrosia beetles) was initiated in 2001. ODA-IPPM, as well as other agencies and institutions, cooperated with USDA Forest Service and APHIS, PPQ, to develop and implement this project. The basic detection, survey, and taxonomic protocols were developed and implemented in 2001 and refined in 2002 through 2004. Surveys and taxonomic efforts were regionalized for the Northeast, Southeast, and West.In 2005, this project shifted from the pilot to the operational phase. Formerly referred to as the Rapid Detection of Exotic Scolytidae Pilot Project (RDESPP), it is now known as the Early Detection and Rapid Response program (EDRR). From 2001-2005, it has been responsible for many new state, regional, and national records of exotic ambrosia and bark beetles, as well as other wood borers. New national records include Arhopalus syriacus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and the ambrosia/bark beetles Hylurgops palliatus, Scolytus schevyrewi, Xyleborus glabratus, X. seriatus, X. similis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), and the European wood wasp, Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae). These data indicate that the basic trapping protocols and methodologies are effective. Delimitation surveys have also been conducted under EDRR auspices for most of the new national exotics as well as some species already established in the US but new to particular regions, e.g., for Xylosandrus germanus in Oregon.
EDRR—Oregon’s survey
The Oregon EDRR survey for 2005 focused on the horticultural and nursery trade, a potential pathway for introduction of exotic woodboring insects. Five nurseries in northwestern Oregon were selected for survey based upon their documented importation of large volumes of nursery stock from other countries (including Canada) and other regions of the US. Three funnel traps, baited respectively with the following lures, were placed at or in the immediate surroundings of these nurseries: UHR (ultra-high release) ethanol, four UHR ethanol lures, and UHR alpha-pinene and UHR ethanol lures. Samples were taken every two weeks and processed by IPPM staff. All specimens from the following families were identified to species: Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae: Scolytinae (Coleoptera); Siricidae and Xiphydriidae (Hymenoptera). All 2005 samples have been processed. A total of 24,325 specimens were identified.
The only new exotic woodborer record was for Xylosandrus germanus (Scolytinae) from Clackamas County. This pest had previously been trapped from several localities in Multnomah County and is believed to be established in Forest Park in Portland and another park in the easternmost part of the county. This insect has been established in the eastern US for decades and is becoming a significant pest of nursery and ornamental woody plants. The 2005 records are the first from a West Coast nursery. Since 57 specimens were trapped from late April to mid-August, we believe X. germanus is established at this site. Nursery stock and hosts in the immediate surroundings were examined by ODA nursery inspectors but no infested hosts were found.
EDRR—taxonomic support to other states
Since the inception of the EDRR project, IPPM has provided taxonomic support to other western region states lacking expertise with the target taxa. This support continued in 2005 to Alaska, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming for general EDRR surveys. IPPM also identified non-scolytid woodborers from special surveys in Alaska and Washington to develop better trapping methods for species of Sirex (Siricidae). Only a few samples were sent to IPPM’s taxonomist for identification, totaling less than 500 specimens, other than for the siricid surveys in Alaska and Washington. This was in sharp contrast to previous years because of the use of a scolytid screening aid (developed by IPPM staff) by western states (see below). Identified specimens from the siricid surveys totaled 2,627. No new records for exotic woodboring insects were found in the samples forwarded to IPPM.
Jim LaBonte and Steve Valley designing a bark beetle identification aid with ODA’s imaging system.
Limited taxonomic resources for woodborer identification was identified early as the resource limiting the expansion of the EDRR project from pilot to operational status. To address this challenge, the EDRR taxonomists developed screening aids to enable non-taxonomists to recognize and screen out the most abundant non-target species (which can make up as much as 95 percent of the specimens in samples) as well as to recognize and identify, at least provisionally, target species. This made sample processing much more efficient, enabling the taxonomists to focus on the relatively few remaining specimens so that non-target exotic species were not missed. These screening aids were image-supported in a PowerPoint format. Because of regional faunal differences, each screening aid was tailored for a particular region. The western region screening aid focused on 10 abundant species from the Pacific Northwest, but also included common species from Alaska and Colorado. The IPPM digital imaging system and staff were fundamental to the successful production and implementation of the western region screening aid. A workshop on the use of this aid was held in May at the IPPM Salem facilities. Participants included staff from Alaska Department of Natural Resources, California Department of Food and Agriculture, University of California (Berkeley), USDA Forest Service (Colorado), and USDA APHIS-PPQ (Louisiana and South Dakota).
EDRR—North American Siricidae field guide and LUCID key
The discovery of an established population of Sirex noctilio in New York and Ontario (Canada) led to the recognition of the extremely limited taxonomic resources for siricid identification in North America and the awareness that these were inadequate to support national surveys for this important pest. Our IPPM staff began collaboration with USDA entomologists on the development of both a “hard copy” field guide for the North American Siricidae and a LUCID image-based key to this group, including exotic siricids that may be introduced into the North America. Using our advanced digital imaging system, IPPM will provide high quality images for this project as they did for the western region Scolytidae screening aid. An extensive library of siricid digital images has already been acquired by IPPM staff and the inclusion of those images into the field guide and LUCID key is beginning.
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| Grasshopper |
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The 2005 grasshopper survey season started in early May and ended in early September. ODA collaborates with the USDA in monitoring grasshopper populations in 17 counties in eastern Oregon each year. Based on the survey data, ODA and USDA provide technical assistance to landowners and land management agencies in the management of grasshopper populations. Upon request, ODA and USDA assist in the implementation of effective and environmentally sound grasshopper suppression programs on rangeland, pasture and crops. ODA generates survey maps and maintains historical survey data for grasshopper populations in Oregon. Data on grasshopper populations date back to 1953.
The 2005 adult survey showed economic levels of more than eight grasshoppers per square yard on 64,751 acres in eight counties of Eastern Oregon. The counties with the highest infestation levels were Klamath with 22,384 acres, Morrow with 16,066 acres, Baker with 12,340 acres, Union with 5,610 acres, Wallowa with 5,393 acres and Umatilla with 2,640 acres. Areas with significant infestations were located around the Umatilla Army Depot in Hermiston (2,000 acres), the US Navy Bombing Range (16,000 acres) in Boardman and in the Fort Klamath Valley where an estimated 20,000 acres of private pastureland showed levels between eight and 24 grasshoppers, predominantly Camnula pellucida, the clear winged grasshopper, per square yard. On September 7, 2005, landowners met with staff from Bureau of Reclamation, NRCS, USDA, and ODA to discuss recommendations for control of potential grasshopper outbreaks in 2006.
Infestations in the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) were relatively low compared with previous years. Adult surveys in early September in the Klamath Marsh NWR showed an area of 81 acres at the old Lane Ranch infested with economic levels. A relatively wet spring may have delayed or prevented outbreaks on the refuge and adjacent private pastureland. Grasshoppers were observed hatching in late July. Economic levels of grasshoppers were also recorded in several areas in Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties. Most infestations were recorded on private pastureland with levels ranging between eight and 45 grasshoppers per square yard. The dominant species in the infested counties were, Melanoplus sanguinipes, M. femurrubrum, M. packardii, Oedaleonotus enigma, and Aulocara elliotti.
In 2005, for the first time in Oregon PDAs with GPS units were used to record grasshopper data. The La Grande field office is now equipped to quickly analyze survey data and generate survey maps using ArcGIS software.
In 2005, economic grasshopper infestations were reported for several new areas that included the Umatilla Army Depot, the US Navy Bombing Range and the Fort Klamath Valley. An aerial malathion application at the depot was approved and prepared by USDA following a request by the US Army. Due to logistical complications with the depot’s weapons destruction program the aerial application was ultimately cancelled. However, private landowners adjacent to the depot applied malathion to control the grasshopper outbreak. In the Klamath Marsh NWR, early-localized infestations of nymphs were treated with dimilin ground applications at the end of June. In total, 276 acres on the refuge were protected with dimilin using 50 percent ATV RAATs technique (138 acres treated). A 97 percent control rate was recorded for the dimilin applications. According to commercial pesticide applicators, approximately 1,800 acres of private land were sprayed in Eastern Oregon against grasshopper infestations with malathion and dimilin.
Mormon crickets (MC) were recorded in areas south of Arlington (approx. 3,100 acres), Gilliam County, south of Enterprise (766 acres) and Lostine (843 acres) in Wallowa County, in Halfway (one female caught), Baker County and in the Jordan Valley (unknown acreage), Malheur County. The MC in Arlington was identified as Anabrus simplex. Other MC species recorded in Oregon are Anabrus cerciata and A. longipes.
The table below shows an estimate of the acreages that had economic levels of grasshopper infestations in 2005 (>8 grasshoppers per square yard) based on the 2005 adult grasshopper survey results. In general, grasshopper outbreaks are difficult to predict because they are influenced by a large variety of biotic and abiotic factors. However, the identified areas with economic grasshopper infestations in 2005 serve as indicators of potential problem areas for 2006, and should be closely monitored in 2006.
Grasshopper populations in 2005
| County | Acres infested
| Baker
| 12,340
| Harney
| 267
| Klamath
| 22,384
| Malheur
| 51
| Morrow
| 16,066
| Umatilla
| 2,640
| Union
| 5,610
| Wallowa
| 5,393
| TOTAL
| 64,751 acres
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Mormon cricket
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| Gypsy moth |
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ODA maintains a high-level detection program for gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, and its Asian strain (Asian gypsy moth). Early detection of infestations helps to keep eradication programs as small as possible. Nine gypsy moths were detected in Oregon in 2005, at eight new sites. All moths were submitted to the USDA Otis Pest Survey, Detection and Exclusion Laboratory and determined by genetic analysis to be of the North American strain.
Single gypsy moths were detected in NE and NW Portland (Multnomah County), Tualatin and Wilsonville (Washington County), Bend (Deschutes County) and at two sites in Eugene (Lane County). Two moths were found in a single trap in Shady Cove (Jackson County). The Wilsonville and Shady Cove detections occurred in RV parks suggesting RVs from the Northeast as the most likely pathway. These detections and the interception in 2004 of viable egg masses on nursery stock imported from Canada highlight the need for continued regulatory vigilance.
gypsy moth trap catch map
No moths were found in the Bull Run area near Sandy (Clackamas County), where three moths were found in a single trap in 2003 followed by a single moth in 2004. Despite considerable effort spent on public outreach to locate a possible move-in source and egg mass searching in this sparsely populated rural area, no connection to the Northeast was found. Considerably more traps were placed at this site in 2005. These included many walk-in traps placed by the US Forest Service, Mt. Hood National Forest, in non-roaded forested areas with steep terrain as well as along forest roads in the adjacent Bull Run watershed. Seven other sites with single detections in 2003 and/or 2004 were negative in 2005.
ODA has conducted numerous gypsy moth eradication programs since 1981. These have ranged from large-scale aerial spray programs of 225,000 acres to ground application programs of 10 acres. No moths were found at two 2004 eradication sites in Gresham (Multnomah County) and Eugene (Lane County). Following two consecutive years of negative delimitation trapping, these sites can now be declared eradicated. No moths were found at the 2005 Eagle Creek eradication site where three applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) were applied to 268 acres by air, in the spring of 2005. Another year of negative delimitation trapping will be required before it can be declared eradicated. Gypsy moth pest alerts were distributed and information gathered from residents at the NE Portland, Bend, and the RV park site in Shady Cove. No connection to the Northeast was discovered at the NE Portland or the Bend site. Egg mass searching was conducted within the RV park in Shady Cove as well as at a city park and two residential sites nearby. No other life stages were found. Unless other life stages are found no eradication programs are planned for 2006. Delimitation trapping will be conducted in 2006 around all 2004 and 2005 positive sites.
Wayne Estabrook serves as application team leader for gypsy moth eradication treatments for the last time after almost 20 years of service at ODA.
In 2005, approximately 18,367 gypsy moth traps were placed statewide. Oregon Department of Corrections inmate labor has constructed all gypsy moth traps since 1995 resulting in considerable cost savings and efficiency. Traps are concentrated in western Oregon where most population centers and preferred host plants are located. Other sites at high-risk for introduction such as national and state parks, public and private campgrounds and RV parks are also trapped each year. Major ports and waterways at risk from ships carrying Asian gypsy moth egg masses from the Russian Far East and other sources were also trapped. Asian gypsy moth was found in British Columbia in 1995 and 1996, in Washington in 1996, 1997 and 1999, in Oregon in 1991 and 2000, in California in 2003 and 2005 and in Idaho in 2004; Asian gypsy moth was also found in North Carolina in 1993 and 1994 and in adjacent South Carolina in 1994 and in Texas in 2005. In 2002, Asian gypsy moth egg masses were found in British Columbia on ships from Japan, highlighting the need for continued vigilance to keep Asian gypsy moth from entering and becoming established in Oregon.
Gypsy moth programs in Oregon, 1977-2005
| Year | Number of traps
| Number GMs
| Eradication acres
| 1977
| 100
| 0
| 0
| 1978
| 250
| 0
| 0
| 1979
| 300 | 2
| 0
| | 1980 | 1,104 | 7
| 0
| | 1981 | 3,000 | 1,023
| 20
| | 1982 | 11,000 | 216
| 4,000
| | 1983 | 17,000 | 299
| 50
| | 1984 | 19,000 | 19,096
| 11,990
| | 1985 | 32,000 | 1,628
| 225,000
| | 1986 | 32,000 | 613
| 193,902
| | 1987 | 32,391 | 80
| 11,771
| | 1988 | 32,200 | 10
| 3,550
| | 1989 | 22,250 | 2
| 4
| | 1990 | 16,335 | 19
| 0
| | 1991 | 15,445 | 29
| 4
| | 1992 | 49,115 | 47
| 8,930
| | 1993 | 44,522 | 78
| 328
| | 1994 | 15,005 | 39
| 270
| | 1995 | 14,384 | 21
| 86
| | 1996 | 16,097 | 42
| 10
| | 1997 | 17,368 | 30
| 70
| | 1998 | 18,798 | 29
| 35
| | 1999 | 18,384 | 13
| 19
| | 2000 | 15,809 | 9
| 10
| | 2001 | 16,914 | 8
| 1,070
| | 2002 | 16,194 | 10
| 0
| | 2003 | 16,837 | 28
| 706
| | 2004 | 19,063 | 4
| 183
| | 2005 | 18,367 | 9
| 268
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| Japanese beetle |
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Detection and eradication of new Japanese beetle (JB) introductions and prevention of new arrivals on aircraft and nursery stock from infested states remain a high priority. Western Oregon’s relatively wet and mild climate, abundant suitable habitat and preferred host material are favorable for JB survival and establishment. Many of Oregon’s top agricultural commodities and urban and rural environments would be affected if JB becomes established. ODA has trapped 202 JBs and has conducted three successful JB eradication programs, all in residential areas, since 1988.
Eradication treatments continued at Portland International Airport’s (PDX) Airtrans Center due to continued JB trap catches (three males, one female) in the area. This is the same area where 11 JBs were trapped in 2002, three in 2003 and three in 2004, prompting eradication treatments in each year. Eradication treatments initiated in 2004 were continued in 2005 at two new sites near PDX where JBs were found in 2004, the Portland Air National Guard (ANG) base adjacent to the Airtans Center (one JB), and Colwood National Golf Course adjacent to the Portland ANGB (four JBs). Treatments again consisted of two applications of Tempo SC Ultra to all trees, shrubs, ground covers and turf (Tempo 20 WP was used for golf course turf) for adult control and a single soil application of Merit 0.5G to all turf and landscape beds, followed by irrigation with ca. 0.5 of water for grub control. These programs are costly, difficult to implement, and less acceptable to the public than other pest eradication programs due to repeated soil and foliar pesticide applications. Maintaining effective exterior quarantines, regulatory programs, and annual statewide detection programs are the best way to keep Oregon free from JB.
Due to the risk of beetles hitchhiking on aircraft, USDA, monitors JB populations at eastern airports each year. As soon as population levels pose a risk of live beetles entering aircraft, the airport is declared regulated. Air cargo carriers must then follow treatment and safeguarding protocols for at-risk aircraft destined for Oregon and eight other western states.
At the beginning of the season, ODA staff met with FedEx, UPS, and ABX Air and gave an overview of the JB regulatory program to ramp managers and/or their crews. Being aware of hitchhiking JBs on aircraft and cargo was stressed as well as the importance of collecting any JBs found and contacting ODA. These annual meetings help increase awareness about the JB regulatory program and obtain better cooperation from ramp managers and staff. These efforts have proved beneficial as several JBs have been found by FedEx employees on cargo containers, cargo, or in their sorting facility. These were collected and ODA was promptly notified. ABX Air, Wilmington, OH and Federal Express, Indianapolis, IN, were the only two cargo carriers with regulated flights to PDX in 2005. No notification of any regulated military flights was received in 2005. If two or more live beetles are found on a single aircraft, an Emergency Action Notification is issued requiring closure and re-treatment of the aircraft. No planes were re-treated at PDX this year. No live beetles and very low numbers of JBs were found on aircraft overall from 2003 to 2005 (46 found), compared to 2002 (208 found). Several factors are likely responsible for this decrease including the use of excluders and container covers and removal of traps adjacent to ramp areas in regulated airports.
Fifty-three aircraft inspections were performed in 2004 with 21 JBs found (20 dead, one moribund). Despite very heavy JB populations at all regulated airports with flights to PDX, no live beetles were found on aircraft in 2005. However a FedEx driver found a live JB underneath shrink-wrap covering on a wooden crate being delivered to a business in the Portland area. This is the first occurrence of a JB being intercepted by an employee delivering a package, highlighting the continued need for vigilance by all ramp employees and drivers for possible hitchhiking JBs. Non-target Coleoptera collected during aircraft inspections from 2003 through 2005 were also identified. Three other exotic scarab species of economic concern were found (all dead) during these inspections: European chafer (57), Asiatic garden beetle (23) and Oriental beetle (43). These interceptions and continued interceptions of JB on cargo, cargo aircraft, and in traps placed at airports highlight the need for continued cooperation, monitoring, information sharing, and commitment among state and federal regulators, industry representatives and private consultants.
About 5,126 JB traps were placed in 2005, most in western Oregon. However, all cities and towns statewide are considered at risk and are trapped at two traps/mi2. No JBs were trapped at a commercial self-storage facility adjacent to the SE corner of PDX, where two female JBs were trapped in 2003. Soil eradication treatments were conducted there in August 2003.
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| Leek moth |
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The leek moth (LM), Acrolepiopsis assectella, native to Europe, is a known pest of Allium, including chives, leek, onion, garlic, etc. In some parts of Europe, levels of infestation can reach to 40 percent in onions and 70 percent in leeks. It was first detected in North America from eastern Ontario, Canada in 1993. The distribution of the pest now includes Asia, Africa, Europe, and Canada. Reports of leek moth being established in Hawaii are apparently false, resulting from a misidentification of A. sapporensis.
In 2005, 217 wing traps were set in 16 counties by July 1. The lures were changed every two weeks. No LM was detected in Oregon in 2005.
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| Onion maggot control order in Malheur County |
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The unusually good 2004 onion season produced large amounts of cull onions for the Ontario area. In numerous meetings with growers, the onion industry and OSU Extension Service in Ontario early in 2005, ODA’s recommendations were presented to reduce the risk of onion maggot outbreaks in the 2005 season. Several fields were inspected for violations of the cull onion order in cooperation with Commodity Inspection Division staff in Ontario. After talking with those growers, the cull onion issues were quickly resolved.
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| Oriental beetle |
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The Oriental beetle (OB), Exomala orientalis, is an introduced pest of turfgrass, nursery stock, ornamentals, small fruits and other crops. Probably native to the Philippines, OB was reported as a pest of turfgrass in Japan in the late 1800s and as a pest of sugarcane in Hawaii in the early 1900s. The first mainland US records are from a Connecticut nursery in 1920, presumably due to importation of Japanese nursery stock. OB is now well established in the northeastern US where the root-feeding grubs have become the primary white grub pest species in New Jersey.
The pathways by which OB could be introduced into Oregon are similar to Japanese beetle (JB). In 2000, along with live JB grubs, live OB grubs were intercepted in nursery stock shipped from Connecticut to Oregon. Dead OB adults were also found in 2003-05 at Portland International Airport (PDX) during inspections of cargo flights from JB regulated airports in the eastern US. Since the flight periods for JB and OB overlap and lures for both species do not interact, it is possible to survey for both species simultaneously using a single JB trap resulting in considerable cost savings. Traps using the JB dual lure conveniently allow placement of a second rubber septa containing OB pheromone.
In 2005, 933 OB lures were “piggybacked” with JB lures in JB traps throughout the Portland metro area at sites with both JB and OB hosts. Traps were concentrated around PDX and surrounding area. No OBs were found. Plans are to expand this survey to other cities in 2006.
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| Potato tuberworm |
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The potato tuberworm (PTW), Phthorimaea operculella, originated in South America. The PTW has spread to many tropical and subtropical countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa, to Australia, New Zealand and Europe. In the US, PTW is recorded from at least 25 states from coast to coast. The PTW prefers potato as its host plant but can also attack other species of the Solanaceae family such as tomato, eggplant and nightshade.
Although recorded from California in 1933 and from Washington in 1913, PTW was first identified in Oregon in 2002 in the Columbia Basin area around Hermiston. In 2004, OSU Extension placed 35 pheromone traps catching several thousand specimens in Umatilla County. In 2005, ODA placed 53 PTW traps in potato growing areas of Baker, Clackamas, Jefferson, Klamath, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Union, and Washington counties. PTW were detected and confirmed in Baker, Klamath, Malheur, Multnomah, Union, and Washington counties. OSU Extension also detected PTW in traps in Morrow, Jefferson, Crook, and Umatilla counties.
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| Small hive beetle |
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On April 15, 2005, several specimens of small hive beetle , Aethina tumida, were collected from an active honeybee hive in Medford (Jackson County). This is the first Oregon record of this extremely noxious honeybee pest. The Oregon specimens were from California hives sold to a Medford beekeeper earlier in the spring. No further specimens have been found and it is unknown whether small hive beetle is established in Oregon.
Small hive beetle is native to Africa. Adults and larvae feed on bee brood, pollen, and honey. Beetle activities foul and ferment honey, rendering it unmarketable. The first North American specimens were found in South Carolina in 1996. By 2003, it had been recorded from 30 states, most of which are east of the Mississippi River. Damage by this pest from 1998-2000 led to the destruction of at least 20,000 hives at the cost of many millions of dollars. Like other hive pests, good hive maintenance greatly reduces its effects. It is uncertain whether small hive beetle can permanently establish in Oregon, but given its already substantial range in the US, this is certainly a strong possibility.
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| Summer fruit tortrix |
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The summer fruit tortrix (SFT), Adoxophyes orana, is a major pest of apples and pears in most parts of Europe, parts of the former Soviet Union, and eastern Asia. This species damages up to 30 percent of leaves and flowers of apples in Ukraine, and from 10 to 20 percent fruit loss occurred in France and Germany. SFT has also been an economic pest of apples in the Netherlands. It is a known pest of lilac in the Netherlands and Belgium. SFT has the potential to be distributed throughout the US wherever the host plants occur. The damage to apple and pear fruit can be extensive and costly. The most likely pathway is through commercial shipment of apples, nursery stock, or scion material from infested regions in Europe and Asia.
In 2005, 299 diamond traps were placed in 13 counties having suitable sites and hosts. Lures were changed once if the traps were set before June 1. No SFT were detected in Oregon in 2005.
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| Miscellaneous insect identification and new records |
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In 2005, IPPM taxonomists identified over 2,370 insects and other invertebrates from samples or contacts via telephone, e-mail, or walk-ins. In general, these did not originate from specific IPPM programs, but instead were from ODA horticultural inspection programs, other government agencies, university and museum collections, commercial sources, the general public, and professional colleagues. Many of these contacts were the result of a pest alert and news releases regarding the discovery of brown marmorated stink bug in Oregon late in 2004. One IPPM taxonomist is also a collaborating scientist for the Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA. In this capacity, 118 identifications were made for flatheaded woodboring beetles, most of which were intercepted at US ports of entry.
In 2005, a staff vacancy at Oregon State University (OSU) led to an interim agreement by which IPPM taxonomists provided identifications and relevant information for insect and invertebrate samples submitted to OSU’s Insect Identification Clinic. This arrangement started at the beginning of July. OSU intends to fill their staff vacancy in the near future, but until that time IPPM will continue to provide taxonomic support. IPPM identified or otherwise responded to 128 samples (including several digital and e-mail submissions) for OSU by the end of 2005.
In mid-February, a Portland resident reported that she might have an infestation of ghost ants, Tapinoma melanocephalum, a very common tropical and subtropical nuisance pest established in many areas of the world. The resident had recently vacationed in Hawaii and ghost ants readily “hitchhike” in luggage and cargo. In temperate climates, this pest is normally confined to heated areas such as homes and greenhouses. Specimens submitted to ODA were ghost ants, the first time they had been documented within Oregon. IPPM staff surveyed the site and found that the infestation was apparently confined to the single residence. A pest control company conducted an intensive eradicative treatment. A post-treatment survey by IPPM staff in the summer found no ghost ants, hopefully indicating that the infestation was successfully eradicated.
A manuscript prepared by two IPPM taxonomists, in collaboration with two taxonomists from other states formally documenting 219 species of beetles from Oregon, for the first time has been accepted for publication in early 2006. Numerous records are of specimens found in the course of IPPM insect pest surveys, including many exotic species, although most of the latter were not targets of the surveys. Such records show that the detection and recognition of many exotic insects can only be accomplished with a thorough knowledge of the native and known established Oregon fauna (supported in large part by IPPM’s reference insect collection) and a broad spectrum approach to looking for newly introduced species.
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