[MAIPC] New tree-of-heaven borer

Sat Oct 28 05:36:30 PDT 2017

 As a warning which I think is more common than not, the European parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, had a native predator accidently reintroduced after a couple hundred years without it. Defenses decreased without this drain on its resources. Then when introduced, the defenses returned. Phragmites australis may be the same, with accidently reintroduced predators proving useless. I know that there are many more examples if we take the time to look. There is way too much chaos in natural systems to be tinkering with the minimal knowledge and our insistence for interfering with that we do not understand.The only real way of controlling a non-native is with the novel offensive weapons native organisms bring such as is apparently happening with the Brown Marmorated stink bug near my home. We live near Shartlesville, a few miles from ground zero, the Kutztown area. The number appears to be decreasing radically locally. I have had them drop dead in my kitchen for no apparent reason.What I saw with Ailanthus altissima and Atteva aurea is that we need to look for generalists within a family of plants which are specialists to that family to find organisms with novel weapons to eradicate introduced non-native species to which these target organism have no evolved defenses.
                                                                                                          Richard Gardner
P.S. Anyone in Pennsylvania want a half dozen 100% Castanea dentata seeds? I collected 185 viable seeds this year. Planting time is here. I know the doctrine that this is almost impossible, but doctrine is usually full of holes. This week I transplanted 8 seedlings from seeds collect last year and a seedling collect 2 summers ago on a trail. I also have a 3' high sapling I rescued from trail maintainers 3 summers ago. Two of the seeded transplants were @ 12" high.

    On ‎Saturday‎, ‎October‎ ‎28‎, ‎2017‎ ‎06‎:‎19‎:‎05‎ ‎AM‎ ‎EDT, McAvoy, Tom <tmcavoy at vt.edu> wrote:  

A newAgrilus species, Agrilus smaragdifrons (same genus as emerald ash borer,A. planipennis) has recently been found attacking tree-of-heaven in PA, NY, NJ, and CT. See attached pdf.  This species appears to have been in these areas since 2015.

Little is known about this species or its host range but studies will soon be conducted to see it is a threat to our native species and its impact on tree-of-heaven.

It’s native to China but doesn’t seem to be very common there and may be a secondary pests. The only know host in China is tree-of-heaven.

This is a rare occurrence of an accidentally introduced species attacking an invasive non-native species from its native origin. A potential biocontrol agent (if doesn’t attack any native species) that got in without APHIS approval.

When you are out in the field look for D shaped emergence holes similar to EAB emergence holes to find out how far it has spread.

Please let me know if you find any and where.

Thanks,

Tom

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom McAvoy

Entomology (MC0319)

Price Hall, Rm 216

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA  24061

Main Office: (540) 231-4010

Q-lab: 540-231-6320

FAX: 540-231-9131

From: MAIPC [mailto:maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org]On Behalf Of HTI Gmail
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 11:38 AM
To: Marian Orlousky <morlousky at appalachiantrail.org>; Kathleen Seiler <kdseiler at comcast.net>
Cc: maipc at lists.maipc.org
Subject: Re: [MAIPC] How pervasive is spotted lanternfly

Marian,

I agree.  When I read the Penn State notices I took this very seriously.  Of course the problem is winged insects are designed for self dispersal.  I work in PA forests almost every weekend and return to Maryland.  What a fine vector I make.

I sent a note around to my forest health team and Club leaders to share with their land managers.  This is a case study of why we need to care about forest health and those "pretty" plants.  We now have an example of a how a non native invasive (alianthius)  prepared the way for a non native invasive organism that threatens our timber industry and our agricultural industry.  This is a lot easier to explain than the impacts on soil ecology.

I plan to use this as the prime example in my lead article for the series I am writing for the PATC Newsletter and perhaps the ATC Journey.  Forest Health is kind of a "that's nice" thing until people see how it relates to food production and cash crops.

 Regards,   Dewey Clark, http://www.historictimekeepers.com Omega Recognized Service Provider WOSTEP (Neuchatel)  Certified After Sales Service of Current Watches WOSTEP (Neuchatel) Certified Micromechanics Restoration of Vintage Timepieces Precision Timing Specialist Micromachining             Regards,    Dewey Clark Club Naturalist Co-District Manager (PA) Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Maryland Master Naturalist 
On 10/27/2017 9:38 AM, Marian Orlousky wrote:

The horse may have already left the barn, but our actions can help dictate how quickly that horse moves through the pasture. Quarantine and education efforts are not going to stop any invasive pest in its tracks, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. The process for bio-controls is slow and rigorous, but if we can buy our critical resources some extra time, we should do everything in our power to do just that.  

All is not yet lost, but it most certainly will be if we give up now.

Marian Orlousky

Northern Resource Management Coordinator

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

4 East First Street

Boiling Springs, PA 17007

Direct Line: 717-260-3217

MARO Office: 717-258-5771 ex: 208

Fax: 717.258.1442

morlousky at appalachiantrail.org

www.appalachiantrail.org

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. To become a member, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 9:48 PM, Kathleen Seiler <kdseiler at comcast.net> wrote:

Hey, everyone, 

Just adding to this discussion… am taking Forest Ecosystem Protection class currently, at Penn State Mont Alto w/ Dr. Beth Brantley.  For our first class, she brought in two former students now working w/ DCNR, focused on the Spotted Lanternfly situation in SE PA.  This is not a good situation.

These true bugs have been found feeding on nearly EVERYTHING indiscrimately (oak, hickory, black walnut, hops[completing life cycle on these]) while they progress through their 4 instar stages, as well as Ailanthus (as adults).  Other thin bark trees (black birch, red maple, black cherry) as well as stone fruit and grapes are targets.

Egg masses (30-100 ova in each) overwinter on tree bark or other surfaces - not easy to spot (dk. grayish) and that’s most likely how they arrived on a shipment of stones.

Eggs can be laid on vehicles, boats, RV’s, trailers, etc. so transport to other areas is a valid concern.  Think of athletic venues and populations of fans traveling, vacationers, etc.  so education and vigilance are a big push in the quarantine area and its environs.

First instar hatches in mid-May.  This year SLF was found in a state park (not sure which one).

DCNR is looking for natural predators to possibly raise and release (currently one possible wasp).  Wheel bugs and preying mantis have been observed eating them.  Cross fingers :*) but Dan may be correct that this could be an inexorable spread over time….

They can be killed w/ the trap trees protocol, other sprays, and scraping/destroying egg masses.

Most detailed up-to-date info at:

www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/Plantindustry/spotted_lanternfly

Kathy Seiler

PATC North Chapter

ATC (Greater Waynesboro PA Appalachian Trail Community)

Renfrew Institute faculty member

PA Master Naturalist trainee

M.S. Geo-environmental Studies

(taking Forestry classes for “fun" via the GO60 program so my brain doesn’t seep out of my ears now that I’m nearing 62! ha!!  Keeps you young….)

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."  John Burroughs

On Oct 26, 2017, at 7:42 PM, D. Clark <historictimekeepers at gmail.com> wrote:

Just found this on PA Extension Site (Art Grover,s home) 

https://extension.psu.edu/what-to-do-if-you-find-spotted-lanternfly  

Not very comforting.

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 7:37 PM, D. Clark <historictimekeepers at gmail.com> wrote:

I just googled this bug.  Host plant is alianthus.  A VERY good reason to eradicate this plant!  APHIS?  USDA?  Has major impacts on fruit, grapes and cash timber!

Here is the contact info: Hope Sara does not get mad at me.

Good Morning,

We received a stack of 11"x14.25" CHECK YOUR GEAR posters this morning from the PA Bureau of Forestry about the Spotted Lanternfly. If you have room in your kiosk/other appropriate places, or think you can squeeze it in, I will send you as many copies as you need.

We also received hard plastic cards with information for identification and removing egg masses. Pest Alert pages (8.5"x11") with specimen submission instructions on the back are also available. If you want some of either for any upcoming programs or meetings, etc, let me know.

Please reply with how many posters you need with a DCNR logo on the bottom and how many with a Game Commission logo on the bottom. 

Finally, if I should send them somewhere other than your home address, let me know. 

Thank you in advance for your assistance. This is a very pretty invasive that is now capable of surviving Pennsylvania's winters. 

Thanks everyone,

Sara

--

Sara Haxby

Senior Office Manager

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

4 East First Street

Boiling Springs, PA 17007

Phone: 717.258.5771 x201

Mobile: 413.427.4067

Fax: 717.258.1442

Skype: Sara HaxbyATC

shaxby at appalachiantrail.org

www.facebook.com/ATHike

www.appalachiantrail.org

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 7:31 PM, Kathy Daniel <kdaniel20816 at gmail.com> wrote:

I would be happy to post information on the C&O Canal towpath in Maryland. If you think that’s a good idea, please let me know how to get the posters. 

Kathy Daniel 

On Oct 27, 2017, at 6:41 AM, Daniel Barringer <dbarringer at natlands.org> wrote:

I think the horse has left the barn. Adult spotted lanternflies have been found in Bucks and Northamton Counties within sight of New Jersey. Here in Chester County, within a day of hanging the posters in our public restroom, visitors came to us to show us where they found egg masses (in a fold of exfoliating river birch bark, on ironwood, ash and oak trees). We had seen our first adults only a couple weeks before, and never saw any juveniles (and we don’t have any ailanthus on the square-mile preserve). Some of the egg masses are out of reach. For every adult we see, how many do we not see? Coming to a landscape near you.

Dan

On Oct 26, 2017, at 2:22 PM, Marian Orlousky <morlousky at appalachiantrail.org> wrote:

Good question Dewey,

I would not suggest it is too late for this one. Last I heard the pest is still limited to the state of PA and is contained within a small number of counties.  It is currently under quarantine and investigation as to its current range. I believe it was discovered around 2014, and so its spread is still relatively "slow", yet certainly concerning.  It may not have yet reached that critical mass, and it would be excellent if the efforts of the commonwealth were successful in containing it. The State is putting considerable efforts into this program, partially (I would imagine) because it has the potential to disrupt a major economic driver in PA (fruit and wine industries).   

We have put up posters here at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Office in Boiling Springs. It's probably the AT clubs in central and eastern PA that should be highlighting the pest at their trail head kiosks. 

Marian Orlousky

Northern Resource Management Coordinator

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

4 East First Street

Boiling Springs, PA 17007

Direct Line: 717-260-3217

MARO Office: 717-258-5771 ex: 208

Fax: 717.258.1442

morlousky at appalachiantrail.org

www.appalachiantrail.org

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. To become a member, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 2:06 PM, HTI Gmail <historictimekeepers at gmail.com> wrote:

I just got an offer of alert posters for spotted lanternfly. Basically telling hikers to check their gear.  Is the genie already out of the bottle on this?

Is it an issue that alerting hikers can make a difference?

Thanks!
-- 
Regards,
 Dewey Clark,
http://www.historictimekeepers.com
Omega Recognized Service Provider
WOSTEP (Neuchatel)  Certified After Sales Service of Current Watches
WOSTEP (Neuchatel) Certified Micromechanics
Restoration of Vintage Timepieces
Precision Timing Specialist
Micromachining

Regards,

Dewey Clark
Club Naturalist
Co-District Manager (PA)
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Maryland Master Naturalist
_______________________________________________
MAIPC mailing list
MAIPC at lists.maipc.org
http://lists.maipc.org/listinfo.cgi/maipc-maipc.org

_______________________________________________
MAIPC mailing list
MAIPC at lists.maipc.org
http://lists.maipc.org/listinfo.cgi/maipc-maipc.org

-- 

Regards,

Dewey Clark

Club Naturalist

Co District Manager (PA)

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Maryland MAster NAturlaist

Regards,

Dewey Clark, 
http://www.historictimekeepers.com
Omega Recognized Service Provider
WOSTEP Certified After Sales Service of Current Watches
WOSTEP Certified Micromechanics
Restoration of Vintage Timepieces
Precision Timing Specialist
Micromachining

-- 

Regards,

Dewey Clark

Club Naturalist

Co District Manager (PA)

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Maryland MAster NAturlaist

Regards,

Dewey Clark, 
http://www.historictimekeepers.com
Omega Recognized Service Provider
WOSTEP Certified After Sales Service of Current Watches
WOSTEP Certified Micromechanics
Restoration of Vintage Timepieces
Precision Timing Specialist
Micromachining

_______________________________________________
MAIPC mailing list
MAIPC at lists.maipc.org
http://lists.maipc.org/listinfo.cgi/maipc-maipc.org

_______________________________________________
MAIPC mailing list
MAIPC at lists.maipc.org
http://lists.maipc.org/listinfo.cgi/maipc-maipc.org

 _______________________________________________
MAIPC mailing list
MAIPC at lists.maipc.org
http://lists.maipc.org/listinfo.cgi/maipc-maipc.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.maipc.org/pipermail/maipc-maipc.org/attachments/20171028/5430fa66/attachment-0001.html>