The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
123 HUNTINGTON STREET BOX 1106 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT 06504
Founded 1875 Putting science to work for society
CONNECTICUT
REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD - 2010
ALBANY, NEW YORK
SUMMARY OF 2009 NURSERY INSPECTIONS, FOREST INSECT/PLANT PEST SURVEYS & APIARY INSPECTION ACTIVITIES
NURSERY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION
Three-hundred and two nurseries were certified to conduct intra- and interstate business. There were 674 nursery inspections during the growing season. Four-thousand, one-hundred and forty acres of nursery stock were examined as well as plants growing under 26,286,945-sq. ft. of greenhouse space. The majority of plants were grown in hoop houses (21,463,004 sq. ft.), followed by plastic greenhouses (3,080,651 sq. ft.) and glass greenhouses (1,743,290 sq. ft.).
NURSERY INSECTS
The most abundant pests found in nurseries were aphids on various trees and shrubs, mites on various trees and shrubs, black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) on Taxus, Arborvitae leafminer on Thuja, elongate hemlock scale on Tsuga, and lacebug on Pieris, Rhododendron and Azalea.
JAPANESE BEETLE CERTIFICATION
We observed treatments of 79,904 plants at one nursery and issued phytosanitary certificates to comply with states that quarantine nursery stock from Connecticut because of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica. One nursery, which met the containerized nursery stock accreditation program requirements of the United States Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan, shipped 5,000 plants to other states in 2009. Four nurseries met other requirements of the United States Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan and shipped 2,890 plants to states that quarantine plants from Connecticut.
JAPANESE BEETLE CERTIFICATION TO CANADA
Thirteen Connecticut nurseries, which met the inspection requirements of the US/Canada Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan, shipped 53,220 plants to Canada in 2009.
NURSERY DEALER PERMITS
Nursery dealer permits were issued to 188 firms. One-hundred seventy of these companies operate individual outlets. The remaining businesses have more than one outlet each. In total, there were 577 outlets.
Report to the Eastern Plant Board 1 Connecticut 2010
PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES
Three-hundred and fifty-four phytosanitary inspection certificates were issued covering the shipment of the following plant materials to destinations outside the United States:
Plants Number Apples (Cartons) 11,000 Bulbs & Tubers (Dahlia & Gladiolas)(Bags) 616 American Chestnut (unrooted cuttings) 80 Chinese tree peonies (plants) 54 Greenhouse plants 25,560 Nursery stock (containers - B & B) 22,553 Orchids (plants) 5,465 Perennials (bare root plants) 5,054 (plants) 1,175 (unrooted cuttings) 300 Seeds (cartons & bags) 291 Tobacco (bales, boxes, bundles & cartons) 116,072 Tobacco (pounds) 4,686 Cotton seed meal (bags) 1,600
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
1. Ten inspections were made for 160 individual plants and bulbs to assist homeowners moving out of state.
2. One-hundred forty seven inspections were made to assist nurseries moving the following plants interstate:
Plants Number
Perennials (plants) 79,904 Nursery stock (containers) 5,000 (bare root plants) 1,504 (B & B) 2,666 Corn seed (pounds) 2 Geraniums 1,240 Greenhouse plants 286 Orchids 56 Seed (Bags) 132
3. One tobacco grower had 110.5 acres inspected for the aerial application of pesticides.
4. There was no Post-Entry Quarantine activity in CT in 2009.
BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATORY SERVICES INSPECTION ACTIVITY
In cooperation with officers from the Wallingford USDA-APHIS-PPQ office, six inspections were conducted in 2009 at facilities or laboratories working with recombinant or regulated organisms.
PERMITS TO MOVE LIVE PLANT PESTS, NOXIOUS WEEDS, AND SOIL
In 2009, there were sixty four PPQ 526 Permits (Permit to move live plant pests, noxious weeds, and soil) approved in CT. There were two PPQ 330 Permits (permit to move soil) approved in CT.
Report to the Eastern Plant Board 2 Connecticut 2010
FOREST HEALTH SURVEY
During the summer of 2009 we examined 51 permanent, one-acre forest plots that were established to monitor forest health in Connecticut. These plots are located on state, Nature Conservancy, and municipal water company properties. We considered 25 pathogens for monitoring and determined which trees served as host plants. Within each plot, 20 to 30 trees were tagged for long-term studies. We evaluated signs of defoliation and disease, such as dead tree branches, limbs and crowns. Descriptions and determinations are designed to reflect increasing damage or tree decline. We measure the trees at Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) as an additional way to monitor their health. We will continue to use these plots to monitor the forests over several years to assess whether our state forests remain healthy or are declining. In general, our forests remain healthy.
TORNADO DAMAGE
The National Weather Service confirmed that an F1 tornado touched down June 26 in Wethersfield CT. Members of the National Weather Service surveyed damage in Wethersfield and Farmington; damage in towns surrounding Hartford was caused by straight-line winds, but a narrow tornado had formed in Wethersfield. The NWS said winds in the town reached speeds between 85 and 100 MPH. Unfortunately damage was most severe in the historic town center, and many 200-year-old trees were destroyed, along with several historic homes and buildings. In total, 246.4 acres were affected by this tornado.
ICE DAMAGE
Several locations in Litchfield County were severely affected by ice storms in the winter of 2008-2009. All species of trees were affected, with breakage of major branches and trunks occurring. Damage was primarily at higher elevations, such as hilltops and ridges. In total, 1,711.0 acres were affected by ice.
DEFOLIATION IN CONNECTICUT - 2009
Report to the Eastern Plant Board 3 Connecticut 2010 INSECT AND DISEASE SURVEYS
GYPSY MOTH
Our annual aerial survey for gypsy moth defoliation was conducted in July-August 2009 and covered 1.8 million acres of urban/suburban forest in all eight Connecticut counties. Gypsy moth defoliation of 6,709.0 acres was found in following counties:
COUNTY TOTAL ACRES Hartford 1665.6 New London 1493.6 Tolland 3549.8 TOTAL 6709.0
In November and December, a gypsy moth egg mass survey was conducted in 80-95% favorable host sites on a 7 -mile grid (102 sites) throughout Connecticut. No egg masses were found.
ORANGE-STRIPED OAKWORM
The Orange-striped oak worm, Anisota senatoria, is a native moth that ranges from eastern Canada southward to Georgia. It is a common pest of oak species in Connecticut. Occasionally, local infestations occur when oaks have been stressed by other factors such as drought or gypsy moths. Serious defoliation can occur when this happens. The moths lay up to 500 eggs on the undersides of an oak leaves in early summer and are attracted to artificial light. The caterpillars feed on the foliage, and then they burrow into the soil and build an earthen cell, where it pupates and passes the winter. On October 2, 3, &10, 2007, a statewide aerial survey was conducted for orange-striped oak worm defoliation. Defoliation was found in Windham County (3,062.9acres) and in New London County (2,152,5 acres). Total acres defoliated were 5,215.4.
FOREST TENT CATERPILLAR
The Forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria, is a native insect found throughout the range of hardwood forests in North America. It is more abundantly distributed in eastern North America, but is also common in western areas that have large stands of aspen. At times, this insect can be a damaging defoliator of trees. Trees that are defoliated often flush a new, smaller set of leaves in July. While forest tent caterpillar does not typically cause mortality to host trees, mortality can occur when populations interact with other disturbances, such as drought or insect outbreaks. Forest tent caterpillar larvae use silk to form trails and to create pads on host trees where they congregate and rest. During 2009, an outbreak of Forest tent caterpillar resulted in the defoliation of 1,900.4 acres in Windham County.
ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE
The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, first discovered to be attacking trees in August of 1996 in New York, has spread to within 25 miles of Greenwich in southwestern Connecticut. There is risk for beetle entry in ports because of the transportation of solid wood packing material on ships coming from areas of the world where this beetle is found. We, therefore, concentrated additional survey efforts in Connecticut in the areas of Bridgeport, Groton, New Haven and New London as well as their surrounding parks that contain a high percentage of maple, a favorite food source of the Asian longhorned beetle. In addition, the 2008 detection of ALB in Worcester, MA, spurred increased interest and vigilance concerning the beetle. We conducted eighty inspections of 7,139 trees in all counties of CT for presence or signs of ALB infestation. We also participated in a United States Forest Service survey in Southwestern Connecticut. We examined 300 Asian longhorned beetle host species trees in 18 square miles in Greenwich and Stamford. All surveys and identifications, thus far, were negative. We also inspected 1 tree for a homeowner in 2009.
SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT OF MAPLE Rainy and cool weather throughout Connecticut during spring and summer created conditions ideal for the fungus known as Septoria aceris, which causes septoria leaf spot. A septoria infection is characterized by small brown spots rimmed with yellow when the leaves are still green. As the spots grow and merge, they perforate the leaves, resulting in premature leaf drop and defoliation. The long-term implications for the trees’ health are minimal. Damage due to Septoria Leaf Spot of
Report to the Eastern Plant Board 4 Connecticut 2010 maple was considerable enough to warrant mapping during aerial survey. Data are included on the defoliation map and are summarized below by county.
COUNTY TOTAL ACRES Fairfield 663.5 Hartford 665.4 Litchfield 3278.4 Middlesex 1977.8 New Haven 1242.6 New London 2639.6 Tolland 1593.0 Windham 2784.0 TOTAL 14844.3
HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID
The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, remains an important pest of hemlock in Connecticut, spreading northward since its coastal detection in 1985 and infesting all 169 towns in the state. During 2009, we required all hemlock nursery stock that was being shipped out of Connecticut to be treated for Hemlock woolly adelgid. Two nurseries shipped hemlock trees out of state. Our inspectors observed treatments and issued phytosanitary certificates to cover 940 plants in these shipments.
RAMORUM LEAF BLIGHT
As part of the P. ramorum National Nursery Survey, we inspected 20 nurseries during 2009. During the survey, 148,379 plants were inspected and 275 samples were collected from symptomatic plants. All samples were cultured and tested by ELISA; DNA from ELISA-positive plants was sent to Beltsville for confirmation by PCR. One hundred forty five samples were ELISA positive; none were PCR-positive.
In conjunction with the US Forest Service, one stream surrounding a production nursery involved in trace-back activity was selected for baiting for P. ramorum. One set of baits was located upstream of the nursery, and the second was located downstream, near the irrigation intake for the nursery. The stream was baited with rhododendron leaves for 2-week deployments April through September 2008, with a 6-week break during July and August, when water temperatures were too warm for Phytophthora species. Leaf baits were submitted for testing to labs at Mississippi State University and Cornell University. All baits were negative for P. ramorum.
In June of 2009, we received orders for a trace back to be conducted at the CT nursery described above. P. ramorum- positive plants had been found at a garden center in North Carolina; this establishment also had received plant material from many other suppliers. Nineteen samples were taken of symptomatic foliage, and irrigation water in 3 ponds was baited with rhododendron leaves. All samples were cultured and tested by ELISA; DNA from ELISA-positive samples was sent to Beltsville for confirmation by PCR. Six foliar samples were ELISA-positive, and none were PCR-positive. The six aquatic samples were negative.
DAYLILY RUST
Daylily rust, caused by, Puccinia hemerocallidis, was found on daylilies in a southeastern U.S. nursery for the first time in the summer of 2000, and in 2001 and 2002 on daylilies owned by private citizens. It is now confirmed to occur in three counties. During 2009, we surveyed daylilies in nurseries and garden centers for signs of this rust. Eighty-nine inspections were carried out on 76,899 plants. No signs of Puccinia hemerocallidis were found
CHRYSANTHEMUM WHITE RUST
In 2009 we conducted twenty one inspections for Chrysanthemum white rust (CWR), caused by the fungus Puccinia horiana. As part of trace back activity from a grocery store detection, 50,000 plants were inspected at a gorwer on Augus 12- 13; no symptomatic plants were found. A second grower reported CWR at his own location in mid-September; 20,000 plants
Report to the Eastern Plant Board 5 Connecticut 2010 were inspected and 8,500 were destroyed by burial on site. At a third location, 93 symptomatic plants were found and destroyed by disposal in the municipal waste stream.
APIARY CERTIFICATION
Six hundred seventy eight beekeepers registered 4,209 colonies in 2009. Our bee inspector opened and inspected 707 colonies in areas known to have foulbrood disease. No clinical cases of American foulbrood were detected. Nosema ceranae was detected in New London County. Chalkbrood was reported to be widespread. Varroa mite is generally distributed in beehives across the state. There were no positives for tracheal mites.
County Colonies Opened & Inspected Fairfield 17 Hartford 32 Litchfield 45 Middlesex 37 New Haven 106 New London 310 Tolland 12 Windham 148 TOTAL 707
Report to the Eastern Plant Board 6 Connecticut 2010
REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD Albany, NY
2009 Activity Summary
Contents Page Apiary Inspection 2 Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey 3 Farming for Native Bees 5 Gypsy Moth Suppression 6 Noxious Weed Control 7 Nursery Inspection and Certification 8 Plant Regulatory Programs 9 Seed Certification and Grain Inspection 10
Submitted by:
Faith B. Kuehn, Ph.D. Plant Industries Administrator
Apiary Inspection
Annually, honey bees are responsible pollinating $20 million of Delaware fruit and vegetable crops. This dollar amount is estimated at the “Farm Gate” level. It is not extrapolated to a wholesale or retail level. During 2009, 187 registered beekeepers maintained 2189 colonies of honeybees.
Brood Inspections To protect this industry from costly diseases and parasites, the State Apiarist performed brood nest inspections on 423 colonies of honey bees located in 92 apiary locations.
Brood Inspection Results Honey Bee Disease / Pest Infected / Infested Colonies Chalkbrood Ascophaera apis 46 Sacbrood Virus 17 American Foulbrood Paenibacillus larvae 24 European Foulbrood Melissoccus pluton 3 Tracheal Mite Acarapis woodi 100% Varroa Mite Varroa jacobsoni 100% Small Hive Beetle Aethina tumida Detected throughout DE
Africanized Honey Bees Africanized honey bees (Apis meliffera scutellata) continue to threaten agriculture in the United States and Delaware. To facilitate early detection, a trap line has been established and maintained along the Delaware coast. Twenty-four pheromone-baited artificial nesting cavities were deployed and monitored on a 14-21 day interval. Seven swarms were captured and all were determined to be of European ancestry. An Africanized honey bee swarm has not yet been identified in the state of Delaware.
Education and Outreach The Apiary Inspection Unit maintains a working relationship with the statewide beekeepers association in order to more efficiently share technical information and provide training. Additionally, two apiaries are maintained at State Forest facilities providing observation colonies used for classroom demonstrations and promotional exhibits. The apiary is also part of the “classroom” for the annual beginner beekeeping course.
We are partnering with the Sussex Community Corrections Center with a beekeeping project to provide education opportunities for staff and inmates as well as pollination for vegetable production.
Research The Apiary Inspection Unit anticipates participating in research projects with the newly hired pollination ecologist at the Univ. of Delaware.
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Apiary Inspection Unit Activities 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Certification of Honeybee Colonies for Interstate Transport 478 869 1147 1370 1192 Certification of Honeybee Queen and Package Suppliers 2 0 46 0 1 Honeybee Colonies Permitted for Entrance into Delaware 3648 4219 2524 2302 1024 Evaluations of Pesticide Damage to Honeybee Colonies 2 5 3 4 3
Stinging Insect Related Phone Calls 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ Information Provided to Public on Beginning Beekeeping 22 36 42 63 Educational Presentations 14 17 8 6 9 Educational Displays & Exhibits Presented 2 5 6 4 2 Technical Workshops Presented 8 11 14 10 11 Basic Beekeeper Courses Presented 1 1 1 1 Information Provided at Beekeeping Industry Meetings 7 2 3 18 Successful Media Contacts 8 12 9 3
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program is an effort between the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), University of Delaware and USDA-APHIS. Surveys are conducted for pests not known to occur in or recently introduced to Delaware.
Africanized Honey bee See survey description in Apiary section. Africanized honey bees, Apis meliffera scutellata , were not found by survey.
Soybean Pest Survey DDA conducted a survey for Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) in conjunction with University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. Seven sentinel plots in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties were surveyed from June through October. Fifty leaves were collected weekly from each site, incubated and examined with a microscope for soybean rust spores. Soybean rust was not found during survey.
We also surveyed for soybean pod borer (Maruca vitrata) and all 10 pests in the CAPS soybean commodity survey at 10 field sites. None of these target pests were detected.
Red Imported Fire Ant Survey Surveyed 3 sites where RIFA have been detected during previous years. Also inspected all palm trees brought into Delaware and nurseries that purchase plants from within the RIFA quarantine area.
All sites in Delaware showed no presence of RIFA.
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Sirex noctilio Woodwasp Survey Twenty traps were maintained throughout DE by DDA and USDA-PPQ. Traps were hung from June 1-November 15. Sirex noctilio was not found in any trap samples.
Delaware Plant Emergency Response Plan DDA has compiled an Emergency Response Plan as a guide for responding to plant pest emergencies. The plan outlines agencies and stakeholders, legal authorities, personnel and communications. It also includes detailed response plans for 11 pests that we consider important to Delaware’s economic and environmental health.
DDA staff ranked the pests into three tiers. These tiers represent not only the pest’s potential for environmental or economic damage, but also its level of public visibility, impact on public health, level of regulatory response and feasibility of eradication. Tier 1 pests have the highest levels of potential damage, health and economic impacts, and public visibility. They are also pests that we can eradicate with current methods. Likewise Tier 3 pests have limited impact and poor eradication methods.
For each pest, DDA assembled pest highlights and projected impacts in Delaware, survey methodology, identification protocols, and a discussion of the feasible and likely responses to a positive find in Delaware.
Current and Significant Plant Pest Response Plans Rank Pest Rank Pest Tier 1 Africanized Honey Bee Other Chrysanthemum White Rust Red Imported Fire Ant Ramorum Blight Tier 2 Pine Shoot Beetle Karnal Bunt Asian Longhorned Beetle Sirex Woodwasp Tier 3 Emerald Ash Borer Plum Pox Potyvirus Asian Soybean Rust
Emerald Ash Borer Placed 40 purple EAB traps at 20 park and forest sites in high risk areas. EAB was not detected.
Exotic Cerambycidae / Scolytidae Warehouse Survey Trees surrounding 20 high and medium risk businesses were checked for insect damage. Seven sites were monitored using lindgren funnel traps containing general wood boring beetle lures. The traps ran from May – August. The trap catches did not contain any National Exotic Woodborer / Bark Beetle Survey Plan targets.
Federal Noxious Weeds DDA surveyed all three counties for three federally listed noxious weeds – goatsrue ( Galega officinalis ), tropical soda apple ( Solanum viarum ), and giant hogweed ( Heracleum mantegazzianum ). No evidence of these three federal noxious weeds was found.
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Farming for Native Bees
“Farming for Native Bees” is a 4-year project (2007-2010) to survey native bees associated with cucurbit and organic crops in Delaware, and make recommendations for management practices that will enhance pollinator populations. The findings, however, will benefit all farmers producing pollinator-dependant crops. This project is funded in part by a grant from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.
In January, our second annual pollination workshop was put on during Delaware’s Agriculture Week. This workshop was designed to educate growers about the 2008 Farm Bill, describe specific practices that would benefit pollinators, and demonstrate the environmental benefits of pollinator-friendly land management.
The Delaware Dept. of Agriculture celebrated Pollinator Week, June 21-27, on June 23 at the Governor’s Mansion. This event included a dedication of the native bee nesting condos and speeches by Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee, and Plant Industries Administrator Faith Kuehn. Other pollinator week activities included a display at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market and an interview on the importance of pollinators during a weekly radiobroadcast at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach.
In 2009, assessments were being completed for eight additional grower locations. This brings the total number of assessments to fifteen. These assessments were time intensive and the final report included site overviews, native bee sampling results, native and invasive plant inventories, and specific crop and land use recommendations to encourage native bee populations.
During the 2009 field season, a total of 105 transects were sampled for bees at 40 farms and natural areas across Delaware. Species identifications are still being confirmed. To date a total of 121 species of bees have been identified. Included in this number are 16 state record bees, species that had not before been collected in Delaware.
During 2009, project team members gave a total of 10 presentations to state, regional and national audiences, and presented 7 displays.
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Gypsy Moth Suppression
This was the last season for the gypsy moth survey and detection program. A statewide aerial defoliation survey was conducted during late June and detected 440 acres of defoliation due to caterpillar feeding. Staff also conducted fall egg mass surveys from September 2009 to March 2010 on state-owned property, rural woodlots and residential developments. No egg masses were detected during our fall surveys this year in Delaware. It has been twelve years since Delaware has experienced significant defoliation. Surveys were conducted on privately-owned wooded properties only when requested by landowners. The table below reflects the number of wooded property owners requesting fall egg mass surveys for their areas and the number of wooded state lands surveyed.
The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) will no longer conduct egg mass surveys in both private and state woodlots. The Forestry Section will continue to monitor gypsy moth populations by conducting aerial defoliation surveys and take the lead on any future gypsy moth activities.
Gypsy Moth Survey Results Areas Acres Forest Acres Land Use Surveyed Surveyed Treated Coordinated Rural Woodlots 58 7,606 0 Coordinated Residential Developments 66 6,346 0 State Parks 14 2,790 0 State Wildlife Areas 19 8,620 0 State Forests 28 15,516 0 Other State Lands 0 0 0 TOTAL 185 40,878 0
History of the Delaware Gypsy Moth Program
70000 60000
50000 40000 30000 Acres 20000
10000
0 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Acres Defoliated Acres Treated
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Noxious Weeds
Delaware Noxious Weeds There are currently four weeds on Delaware’s noxious weed list. The weeds are: johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense halepense ), Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense ), burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus ), and giant ragweed ( Ambrosia trifida ). Delaware law requires that these weeds not be allowed to reach 24 inches in height or set seed. Compliance agreements are used to formulate a workable control program. The program’s success is directly proportional to the number of persons contacted: 95% of persons contacted adopt a weed control plan and 90% of requests for control assistance have been successful with the initial contact.
Other Weeds Mechanical and herbicide control was applied on selected sites containing kudzu ( Pueraria lobata ), Japanese knotweed ( Polygonum cuspidatum ), and mile-a-minute ( Polygonum perfoliatum ), bamboo, Phragmites sp., and other invasive species. We continue to implement an equipment loan program to assist the public in the control of noxious weeds.
Cooperative Efforts The Noxious Weed Control Supervisor is licensed by the American Society of Agronomy as Certified Crop Advisor. The Noxious Weed Control staff works closely with the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Service, Maryland Noxious Weed Unit, USDA, DE State University, DE Dept of Transportation, and DE Dept of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regarding noxious weed issues.
Noxious Weed Control Program Activities 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Landowners Contacted 963 1,145 1,385 1,092 1,111 Compliance Agreements 83 67 70 64 48 Acres Under Compliance Agreements New Castle County 21,840 18,765 22,084 19,110 12,000 Kent County 45,700 57,250 48,980 56,825 69,950 Sussex County 50,300 45,080 39,880 42,312 43,790 Equipment Days 1,473 2,547 2,514 2,409 2,292 Right-of-ways Sprayed 1,745 2,823 2,148 2,407 3,717 Violation Letters 5 3 4 5 2 Court Cases 0 0 0 0 0 Bamboo Phone Calls 82 160 134 64 Noxious Weed Phone Calls 163 136 120 95 84 Other Weed Related Calls 261 138 182 122 108
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Compliance Agreements There has been a significant decrease in the number of compliance agreements and violations letters reported during the last four years. In the past, the compliance form listed each farm separately but was recently modified to include all the land that each farmer tilled or all the land under each landowner’s control. This reduced the paperwork substantially while keeping the same acreage under compliance agreements. Roundup Ready® soybeans and corn have reduced the number of violations. Finally, the conversion of farmland to housing and commercial development has reduced the number of infested acres under tillage.
Weed Related Calls The noxious weed unit assists the public in identification and proper control procedures for invasive species. Upon request, a noxious weed specialist will visit the infested site and develop a control plan to eradicate the weeds while maintaining the desirable and/or native plants.
Nursery Inspection and Certification
Delaware's green industry is currently ranked as the state’s third largest agricultural commodity, with almost $30 million in gross receipts annually.
Licensing In 2009, 1,139 acres of production nursery stock were licensed and inspected. Field production acreage decreased by 72 acres this year. We issued 741 nursery industry licenses including 52 greenhouse operations, 2 plant brokers, 1 wholesale florist, 1 drop-shipper, and 4 mail-order businesses. A total of 49 new nursery industry licenses were issued, 5 to new growers, 3 to new greenhouse growers, and 41 to new retail businesses.
Nursery Inspections 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Nursery Growers Inspected 122 120 124 140 139 Nursery Retail Inspections 145 103 301 72 92 Christmas Tree Inspections 122 93 149 102 135 Greenhouses Inspected 48 50 51 50 54
Although retail nursery inspections were slightly higher than 2008, a decrease from previous years remains as a result of reduced inspection staff. A hiring freeze, implemented during 2008 continues to prevent Plant Industries from hiring seasonal inspectors for the nursery program. For 2009, we were also unable to replace the vacant Entomology/Plant Pathology Supervisor. Given the staffing shortage, the Nursery Unit concentrated on maintaining the nursery licensing and certification requirements and inspecting growers that needed certificates of inspection for interstate sales.
Additional Inspections
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Delaware’s Nursery Program also conducted inspections for APHIS-PPQ, CAPS programs, including 135 pine shoot beetle inspections and 30 chrysanthemum white rust inspections.
Chrysanthemum white rust (Puccinia horiana) was not detected during retail and grower inspections this year.
Pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda) quarantine violations: Three out-of-state nurseries shipped regulated material to Delaware from the PSB quarantine area without a Federal certificate or limited permit. A “Warning of Violation Notice” was sent to both the consignee and the consignor. State Plant Industries regulatory officials were also notified. The Department of Agriculture is planning to expand the surveillance inspections to all nurseries that trade in pine products to prevent movement of pine shoot beetle into Delaware.
Three greenhouse businesses were issued Japanese beetle screenhouse certificates.
Plant Regulatory Programs
The DDA Plant Industries Section, in cooperation with the USDA-APHIS-PPQ, seeks to control the establishment and spread of economically injurious plant pests and diseases. The intercontinental and interstate movement of infected plants and plant products is the major pathway for introduction of nonresident pest species. To regulate the movement of plants, DDA processed the permits in the table below.
USDA Permits Processed Permit Type and Description 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 USDA-APHIS-PPQ-525 1 3 Soil Permit USDA-APHIS-PPQ-526 77 81 63 89 79 Move Live Plant Pests USDA-APHIS-PPQ-546 0 0 0 0 0 Agreement - Post Entry Quarantine USDA-APHIS-PPQ-588 7 2 Plants for Experimental Purposes USDA-APHIS-PPQ-597 2 2 1 0 0 Import Permit - Plants & Plant products USDA-APHIS-BRS 22 34 18 13 7 Biotechnology Permit State Phytosanitary Certificate 1 1 0 1 2
State Issued Japanese Beetle Greenhouse Certificates 4 4 4 3 3
Changes to Biotechnology Permitting in Delaware For several years, Plant Industries administration and staff have been questioning their role in the USDA-APHIS-BRS biotechnology permitting process. Staff voiced concern about their ability to provide meaningful evaluation and input during the permit application review and that making these technical decisions without sufficient technical knowledge might expose
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them to legal liability. Plant Industries personnel met with the Deputy Attorney General and it was decided that they should continue to review these documents (to remain aware of instate biotechnology activities) but to neither “concur” nor “not concur” with the USDA- APHIS-BRS decision. This policy was instituted in the fall of 2006 and remains in effect until further notice.
Pine Shoot Beetle Twenty pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda) traps were placed in Delaware pine stands between November 2008 and May 2009. Pine shoot beetle was not detected.
Seed Certification and Grain Inspection
The DDA Seed Lab is a member of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). The lab is responsible for seed certification, grain inspection, and enforcement of the seed law. In 2009, the Seed Lab tested 10 soybean samples for Roundup Ready® tolerance.
Seed Certification Program The Delaware Seed Certification Program ensures the production of quality seed for planting. The program works to improve field crop varieties, increase the supply and speed the distribution of certified seed. The steps of the certification process are: field inspection and sampling of the mature seed crop, laboratory analysis of seed and proper labeling of certified seed tags.
Certified Seed Program Activities Activity 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Certified Seed Samples Tested 339 378 294 363 360 Certified Acres Inspected 9,043 8,448 7,501 9680 8689 Certified Seed Tags Issued 189,691 153,447 171,254 174,482 92,051
Grain Inspection Program The DDA Grain Inspection Unit inspects and certifies every grain mill during the harvest season, and establishes and checks standard operating procedures. During 2009, inspectors made 341 granary inspections at 20 certified granaries. Grain Inspectors were trained according to USDA Grain Inspection Standards. Forty-four official grain samples were processed. The inspection unit also conducts quality tests and resolves grain analysis disputes between growers and the grain mill operator. Most of the grain harvested is used by the poultry industry.
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Standards Established for the Grading of Grain in DE Wheat Corn Sorghum Barley Soybeans Damage √ √ √ Defects √ Dockage √ √ √ Foreign Material √ √ Garlicky √ √ Insect Infested √ √ √ √ √ Shrunken & Broken Kernels √ Test Weight √ √ √ √ √ Thins √ Moisture √ √ √ √ √ Other Standards √ √ √ √ √
Seed Law Enforcement Each year seed lab inspectors conduct sell-by-date inspections at retail and wholesale outlets offering seed for sale to the public. Additionally, seed is purchased from these outlets for germination testing. If the seed does not meet the standards, a stop-sale is issued and the seed is removed from the shelf. If the violation is corrected then the seed is allowed for sale. In 2009, seed lab personnel made 405 retail store inspections, tested 850 official seed samples and 354 service seed samples, and issued six stop-sale orders.
4/8/2010 11 STATE OF MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD & RURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY SETH H. BRADSTREET, III 28 STATE HOUSE STATION COMMISSIONER
AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0028 JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI ROBERT I. BATTEESE, JR. GOVERNOR DIRECTOR
MAINE REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD April 2010 – ALBANY, NEW YORK
SUMMARY OF THE 2009 ACTIVITIES
Department activities GM and ELC rules - State rules were modified to make the gypsy moth and European larch canker more in line with the federal quarantines. Seed potato farm transfer – The Porter Seed Farm, which was operated by the Department since 1947, was transferred to the Maine Potato Board (MPB) this year. GMO update – The legislature passed a regulation requiring best management practices be put in place for all crop production “in order to maintain the integrity of all crops and minimize potential conflicts between farmers.” This year reports indicate that 17,039 acres were potentially planted with GE crops for the first time. Retirement – After 38 years Assistant Horticulturist Richard Folsom retired
Nursery and Phytosanitary Inspection - In 2009, 867 inspections were made at nurseries, greenhouses and plant dealers. 516 lots of plant materials were inspected and certified for shipment using phytosanitary certificate forms. 72 federal certificates were for seed and other nursery / forest materials and 444 were for potatoes, feed barley and wheat.
CAPS Surveys - The Maine Department of Agriculture (MDA) participated in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program, a cooperative effort between the USDA APHIS PPQ, state departments of agriculture and state universities throughout the U.S.A. The Maine CAPS Program consisted of the following in 2009: Surveys were conducted by MDA for four exotic tree pests as part of the Oak Commodity Survey. Ten nurseries in six counties were inspected between June 1 and August 11 for summer fruit tortrix (SFTM), Adoxophyes orana, variegated golden tortrix (VGT), Archips xylosteanus, light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana, Asian gypsy moth (AGM), Lymantria dispar (Asian strain). Appropriate pheromone traps were used for each pest. While visiting the participating nurseries, MDA staff visually inspected non-oak host material for emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis, and hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsuga. HWA occurs in the southern part of Maine in limited distribution, while EAB and ALB have not been discovered here. Gypsy moths recovered from traps were sent to John Molongoski of the Otis Pest Survey Detection and Exclusion Lab in Buzzards Bay, MA. None of the target species mentioned above were detected. The MDA and the Maine Forest Service (MFS) cooperated on a trapping survey for certain exotic pine commodity pests as part of the Pine Commodity Survey. This program built upon earlier CAPS-supported Exotic Bark Beetle and Pine Shoot Beetle surveys using a subsample of the previously monitored sites, with additional investigation and trapping at new sites. Specifically, the two agencies used a subset previously sampled import/manufacturing sites (those with a high pine
PHONE: (207) 287-3891 FAX: (207) 287-7548 component) for pine beetle surveys (Hylurgops palliates, Hylurgus ligniperda, Ips subelongatus, Orthotomicus erosus), and pine plantations/stands for moth and woodwasp surveys (Dendrolimus pini, Dendrolimus superans, Sirex noctilio). Three lindgren funnel traps with the recommended combination of lures were deployed at each of five import/manufacturing sites for surveying bark beetles, and tetratraps, milk carton traps, and lindgren funnel traps were used at each of 11 pine sites to survey for Dendrolimus moths and Sirex, respectively. None of the target specimens were found, although a new Maine species of bark beetle was recovered (Xyleborus affinis).
Additional Surveys administered through the CAPS Program Potato Cyst Nematode National Survey - The MDA’s Seed Potato Certification Program was required to participate in the Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) National Survey. No seed potatoes could be shipped out of Maine unless they came from fields that have been sampled and tested for PCN (Globodera pallida) and Golden nematode (GN) (Globodera rostochiensis). In accordance with USDA APHIS PPQ’s 2009 Potato Cyst Nematode National Survey, MDA staff used specialized mechanical samplers (AMS, Inc. Idaho Falls, ID) to survey all seed potato fields in Aroostook County that grow seed for export. Each acre was sampled according to protocol to collect a 5lb sample, resulting in 4283 samples. All soil samples were shipped to the USDA APHIS Nematode Laboratory in Avoca, NY, and no PCN or GN was found.
Northeast Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (NEFPOSP) - MDA staff was also busy this year implementing the first NEFPOSP project, a region-wide (9-states) effort to build an awareness program aimed at early detection of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) and other invasive forest pests. A large number of state and federal agencies cooperated on this project, including The Nature Conservancy, USDA APHIS PPQ, USDA NRCS, Maine Department of Conservation, University of Southern Maine, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners, Small Woodlot Owners of Maine (SWOAM), various soil and water conservation districts, Acadia National Park, Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources, etc. In Maine, 59 people were trained to present information to the public about ALB and other pests, resulting in outreach efforts at over 200 public events. The governor signed a proclamation proclaiming August Asian longhorned beetle awareness month. There was numerous t.v. and print media coverage throughout the summer season. Two high-risk urban surveys were conducted as well as spot check surveys at high-risk campgrounds. A website (www.albmaine.org) and social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter – BugWatchME) were developed.
Light Brown Apple Moth Survey - The University of Maine Pest Management Office was granted USDA APHIS PPQ funds to survey for light brown apple moth (LBAM) (Epiphyas postvittana) in Maine apple orchards. Jackson traps with LBAM pheromone were hung two per site in 21 towns and ten counties from mid-June to late-August. Traps were checked every one to two weeks and screened in-house according to Passoa, S, et al. Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) Screening and Identification Aid. No suspect LBAM were found.
European Gypsy Moth - The Maine Forest Service received PPQ funding through MDA to conduct a delimiting and transition zone survey to detect spread of gypsy moth into unregulated towns in northern Maine in order to maintain the current quarantine boundary. No defoliation of hardwoods resulting from gypsy moth larval feeding was recorded in 2009. The 2009 fall egg mass survey indicates that the population will remain at endemic levels next season. Five towns outside the regulated area have been found to have established populations of gypsy moth resulting in recommendations to adjust the current quarantine boundary.
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European Larch Canker - The Maine Forest Service received PPQ funding through MDA to conduct surveys related to the current regulated area in Maine to prevent spread of European larch canker (ELC). The 2009 survey found that the disease was intensifying within some of the regulated towns, but no new areas outside the regulated area were positive for ELC. The eradication effort of a new positive site in 2008 was found to be successful.
Pine Shoot Beetle - The Maine Forest Service (MFS) received PPQ funding through MDA to conduct surveys for pine shoot beetle (PSB) which previous catches led to the regulation of 14 of Maine’s 16 counties. MFS and PPQ shared trapping responsibilities in the two unregulated towns. No PSB were recovered.
Apiary Inspection - In 2009, 567 Maine beekeepers registered 6,788 hives. These numbers reflect an increase of 100 hobby beekeepers since 2008 yet the number of registered hives is unchanged. There are more than 1,000 beekeepers and 8,000 hives estimated in Maine. This estimate is based upon the number of beekeepers who attend beekeeping workshops and short courses offered throughout the state in addition to the current membership of the state beekeeping association and affiliated regional chapter associations.
66,084 hives managed by 40 commercial migratory beekeeping operations based in 15 states entered Maine primarily for blueberry and apple pollination. When Maine’s non-migratory sideline operations are included, approximately 67,684 hives were used to pollinate the blueberry crop in 2009. Hives were also used to pollinate canola, cranberry, small fruit, squash and buckwheat.
In 2009, 16,892 hives were issued Maine health certificates for interstate movement to MA, NY, PA, FL, SD, ND, FL and TN for cranberry pollination, honey production and wintering purposes. After blueberry pollination, the majority of migratory hives leave Maine for crop pollination (cucumber, cranberry) elsewhere or to honey production regions (ND, SD, NY) of the U.S.
Throughout the year 6,743 colonies were surveyed at random with 2,207 opened and inspected for disease and parasites. American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) was found in 38 (1.7%) of inspected hives. European foulbrood (Melissococcus pluton) was found in 21 hives (0.95%) and Sacbrood virus was detected in 17 colonies (0.77 %). Chalkbrood disease (Ascosphaera apis) is widespread and many colonies were found with severe infections. In spring 2009, over wintered populations of the South African small hive beetle (SHB) were documented in Kennebec and Somerset counties. These finds are the most northern wintered SHB documented in Maine.
In 2009, a major focus of colony inspections concerned detection and verification of the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) syndrome. CCD was not identified in Maine during 2009 hive inspections, as was the case the previous three years. The majority of hive losses during late fall and winter had evidence of high levels of Varroa mite and the associated viral complex. Early spring inspections revealed that Nosema infection was also a major contributor to winter mortality.
Forest Insect and Disease Conditions (Courtesy of the Forest Health & Monitoring Division, Maine Forest Service, Maine Department of Conservation).
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Elongate Hemlock Scale Fiorinia externa Hosts: Hemlock (Tsuga spp.), Fir (Abies spp.) and other conifers
In late August of 2009 elongate hemlock scale (EHS) was detected by a homeowner in a planted hedge in Kennebunkport. Subsequently, a homeowner in Kennebunk noticed EHS, also on planted hemlocks (Figure 1). At both sites the planted trees were brought into the state prior to the tightening of the quarantine on hemlock woolly adelgid on nursery stock in 2001. Scale populations were extremely high at both sites and in Kennebunk scale was detectable on native hemlock and fir near the planted trees. Infested and adjacent host trees were treated with the systemic insecticide dinotefuron to contain the infestations. These are the first detections of established EHS in Maine. Check planted hemlock for signs of this insect, especially stock that arrived in Maine prior to 2001. Additionally, planted fir and spruce originating in states south and west of Maine should be checked for this pest. Most other conifer species are generally only infested when adjacent to heavily infested hemlock, fir or spruce hosts.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae Hosts: Hemlock (Tsuga spp.)
Hemlock woolly adelgid was first detected in Maine forests in 2003. Since then it has been found in scattered populations in the towns of Eliot, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Ogunquit, Saco, South Berwick, Wells and York all in York County (Figure 1, under elongate hemlock scale). The detection in Ogunquit is the most recent, discovered in January of 2010. Infestations tend to be scattered and range from heavy to light. Tree damage has been noted on some adelgid-infested sites. It takes the form of increased crown transparency, seedling/sapling mortality and overstory mortality and is especially severe in areas prone to drought such as those with exposed ledge. Hemlock woolly adelgid is one of several factors contributing to the declines on these sites.
Browntail Moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea Host: Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Browntail moth defoliation was heavy in Bath, West Bath, Brunswick, and Topsham at the southern terminus of Merry Meeting Bay. Heavy infestations are ongoing on one island off Freeport and one island off Kennebunkport. Total defoliation covered 758 acres. The populations were high enough so that it caused considerable stress to residents. There was some private ground treatment and more is expected in 2010. The browntail moths are primarily in red oaks in this area and chemical control is the only viable option, other than cutting trees – which some home owners are opting to do. Winter surveys will continue to be conducted to monitor the population. Preliminary surveys indicate the same areas defoliated in 2009 will see browntail moth returning in 2010. The early season larval activity will again give local residents rashes.
Dutch Elm Disease Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Host: American elm (Ulmus americana)
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This disease has been static at moderate levels for many years. This year, the town of Yarmouth (Cumberland Co.) announced that a particularly important American elm had contracted the disease. The elm has a 114-foot crown spread and is 100 feet tall, with a diameter at breast height of over 8 feet. This tree is believed to be the largest American elm in New England, and has held that title for several decades. It is estimated to be approximately 230 years old. The tree was removed in January, 2010, with the wood being utilized by a variety of Maine artisans for the production of historic-tree artifacts.
White Pine Blister Rust Cronartium ribicola Hosts: White Pine (Pinus strobus); Currants and Gooseberries (Ribes spp.)
The disease remains a significant threat to white pine production throughout the state. High levels of the disease were reported from Crystal and Amity (Aroostook Co.), Bar Harbor (Hancock Co.), and Stacyville (Penobscot Co.) in 2009.
Pesticide Use and Applicator Licensing - The Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) licenses applicators (Private and Commercial) and dealers (limited/restricted and general use products). As of March 2010, there are 1136 active private licensees, 1398 active commercial licensees, 209 spray contracting firm (business) licenses, 57 limited/restricted use dealers, and 807 general use dealers. New drift rules went into effect on January 1, 2010 including new standards for evidence of violation. Notification rules were thrown out by the Legislature and replaced by a competing bill which was subsequently amended. New law requires aerial and air blast applicators to notify persons on a special registry when applications are within 1320 feet or 500 feet for orchard tree and Christmas tree applications.
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Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Weed Management Section Annual Report to the Eastern Plant Board Albany, New York April 2010
Summary of 2009 Activities
Contents:
2009 HIGHLIGHTS ...... 2 APIARY INSPECTION ...... 2 NURSERY INSPECTION AND PLANT QUARANTINE ...... 3 PEST SURVEY ...... 3 DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES ...... 6 ENTOMOLOGY LABORATORY ...... 6 PLANT PATHOLOGY LABORATORY ...... 6 PLANT CERTIFICATION ...... 7 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT & BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ...... 8 NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT ...... 10 OTHER SECTION ACTIVITIES ...... 11 Plant Protection and Weed Management Summary of 2009 Activity ...... 12
Submitted by:
Carol A. Holko Program Manager
Plant Protection and Weed Management
2009 HIGHLIGHTS • In 2009, the USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) notified MDA that a nursery in a regulated area of Oregon, found to have plants infected with Phytophthora ramorum, shipped material to 28 recipients in Maryland. P. ramorum is the pathogen that causes sudden oak death, ramorum leaf blight, or ramorum dieback in a variety of desirable woody plants. MDA notified each of the households that received these plants and requested they send samples to MDA for testing. Sixteen have responded to date, sending a total of 24 suspect samples. Of the 24 received, only one, a witchhazel sent to Montgomery County, tested positive for the disease. The P. ramorum infected plant was removed and eradicated. Following USDA protocol, soil samples and associated P. ramorum host plants around the infected plants were also tested and found to be negative. MDA has followed up on the remaining 12 trace forwards to complete the record. • Klinker, a female black Labrador retriever, is MDA’s newest dog trained to sniff out American foulbrood (AFB), a bee disease, in honeybee colonies and bee equipment. After extensive training and testing, she began working at full capacity this November. So far in 2009, she has visited 47 apiaries and inspected 539 colonies. Klinker has detected AFB at five apiaries, in a total of six colonies. All six disease alerts were confirmed later by samples sent to the Bee Research Laboratory (BRL) in Beltsville. In addition, she has detected AFB (also confirmed later by BRL) that couldn’t be found by routine, visual human inspection of equipment. Klinker must be retested by the trainers every three months for recertification. She is a pleasure to work with as well as a big asset to MDA and its Apiary Inspection Program.
APIARY INSPECTION The primary purpose of this program is to control honey bee diseases, mites, and pests, in order to maintain healthy bees for the essential pollination of Maryland crops valued at more than $40 million. Maryland growers of fruit and vegetable crops annually rent approximately 5,000 colonies to improve pollination. Beekeepers’ colonies are essential to Maryland because two parasitic mites have nearly eliminated feral colonies. American foulbrood is the most serious brood disease of honey bees and can destroy a colony in one year. The 40 colonies that inspectors found to have American foul brood were destroyed to control the spread of this bacterial disease to healthy colonies. The incidence of disease remains relatively low ‐ less than two percent of colonies inspected. Varroa and tracheal mite populations were very low in Maryland in 2009, but brood problems were attributed to varroa mite in the season. The varroa mite often has been found to be resistant to Apistan®, the primary product used to control this parasite. Four additional products are now available to control varroa. Africanized honey bees arrive occasionally on cargo ships coming from South or Central America. Swarm traps for collecting and monitoring bees were placed at 35 sites at marine terminals and other shipping locations. No swarms were collected in 2009. MDA is working with two groups – the Mid‐Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium (MAAREC) to provide information to the general public about emergency incidents, and the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) for information on the control of movement, other than through natural spread.
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The small hive beetle was detected in packaged bees and reported or detected in 19 counties this past year. Colonies are treated and monitored to ensure successful control of the beetles. There have been no reports of larvae damage to established colonies. The small hive beetle is a pest mainly in stored equipment and in honey houses, although it can render stored honey in the hive unmarketable. Permits were issued for 3,975 honey bee colonies to move out of Maryland and 550 colonies to move into Maryland for pollination services. For the fourth year, Maryland beekeepers will send colonies to California for almond pollination. In December, 2,307 colonies will be transported to California for this purpose, to return to Maryland in March of 2010.
NURSERY INSPECTION AND PLANT QUARANTINE The nursery and greenhouse industry continues to be a leading part of Maryland’s agricultural economy, currently ranking second among commodities with a total of approximately $732 million in farm income. Other horticultural products and services sold boosted the total gross receipts to nearly $1.04 billion. A primary goal of state plant protection and quarantine efforts is to facilitate the production, sale, and distribution of Maryland nursery stock. This is accomplished in large part by inspection and certification activities conducted on‐site by MDA staff. Maryland law and reciprocal agreements with other states require that plant material at each producing nursery be inspected annually for freedom from dangerously injurious plant pests prior to its subsequent sale to other states. State phytosanitary certificates that assure specific compliance with established domestic quarantines were issued to 10 states. Federal phytosanitary certificates required to export Maryland nursery stock were issued to 10 foreign countries including Argentina, Spain, and Vietnam. A total of 38 federal and 71 state certificates were issued in 2009. Although this reflects a 27 percent reduction in total certificates issued from 2008, MDA staff continued to pursue further cooperative agreement opportunities and followed revised protocols that have streamlined and improved the preparation of Maryland nursery stock for sale and distribution to both foreign and domestic markets. Maryland Department of Agriculture staff inspected plant material at 417 Maryland locations to intercept dangerously injurious or exotic pests. The general health of Maryland‐produced nursery stock was found to be excellent.
PEST SURVEY Current information on pest distribution and abundance is needed for regulatory actions by the Department and for pest control actions by Maryland farmers. Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection & Weed Management Section’s pest survey program had been utilized for this mission. Economic circumstances necessitated significant reduction in state supported activities in 2009. Due to budgetary cutbacks, the blacklight and pheromone traps were not deployed early enough in the spring to alert growers on the Eastern Shore of potential outbreaks of black cutworm or true armyworm. The blacklight trap numbers were reduced by half, started later, and ended sooner than normal. The endemic pheromone traps were not deployed at all. The black cutworm can cause severe losses to corn and vegetable crops, and the armyworm to small grains. Further funding reductions have eliminated the blacklight trap program and one permanent state employee assigned to the program. The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) is a joint project between the MDA and the USDA APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). USDA recommends pests of quarantine export significance as survey priorities and provides funding for these surveys. MDA adapts the appropriate survey methods and conducts the actual survey. This cooperative program has provided necessary data used to certify Maryland products for export to many countries.
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CAPS surveys document the presence or absence of exotic pests in Maryland, support PPQ exotic pest survey activities, and provide state‐specific data for exotic pests in the United States. If any of these species were to become established, they would pose a significant threat to our agricultural production and have a significant impact on Maryland's ability to export agricultural commodities. Early detection of exotic pests before they become established will aid in any eradication or control efforts undertaken and protect Maryland agriculture and the environment from potentially devastating losses. Federally funded surveys included exotic wood borers, exotic grape pest, imported fire ant, giant hogweed, noxious weed/Khapra beetle, pine shoot beetle, emerald ash borer, and Sirex noctilio. A total of 5,810 insect traps were deployed and monitored in 2009. Through the various types of surveys conducted, 4,098 samples were collected and more than 14,443 insects identified. Trapping techniques involved a wide range of devices, including blacklight and pheromone traps. Educational efforts accounted for a new giant hogweed site being reported in Garrett County. The surveys target pests that are both exotic and endemic to Maryland. Fourteen extensive surveys for exotic wood borers, stored product pests, and field, fruit and vegetable crop pests were conducted. The majority of the pests targeted were either not present or did not reach significant levels of concern. MDA conducted exotic bark beetle surveys in five counties and 14 sites and at nine vineyards in four counties in 2009. A few pests, such as the emerald ash borer and imported fire ant, required responses. It is interesting to note that the euonymus leaf notcher, an exotic moth that can completely strip a euonymus bush of its leaves, has again expanded its known range around Glen Burnie and Annapolis/Hillsmere and was found in Bowie, Prince George’s County. Surveys in these areas show that it continues to slowly expand its range each year. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, a South American stinging insect, is occasionally shipped out of the southern United States, in spite of a federal domestic quarantine that prohibits movement of a variety of commodities unless treated and/or certified free of fire ants. The insect's ability to quickly colonize in a variety of habitats and its aggressive foraging behavior pose additional dangers if established in Maryland. Thirty‐two isolated infestations have been eradicated in the State since 1989. New imported fire ant detections in Maryland were down from three in 2007, two in 2008, to one in 2009. The reduction is largely due to MDA’s efforts in the spring to inspect trucks transporting tropical foliage plants from the quarantined areas in the southern United States, work closely with officials in those states, and the brokers and recipients in Maryland. Three of the four positive sites of the 83 surveyed in 2009 were associated with areas under eradication and were likely not new infestations. The Department continues to survey for the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda, a potentially severe pest of pine trees in North America. This European beetle was inadvertently introduced into the Great Lakes Region in 1992. Since that time, this pest has been found in 17 states. Its detection has resulted in a federal domestic quarantine to regulate the movement of pine nursery stock, cut pine Christmas trees, pine wreaths and garlands, and pine logs from areas where it is established. Tree‐ growing sites within the regulated area must be surveyed and found free of the beetle before regulated products can be shipped to areas outside the quarantined area. Alternatively, all pine products from within an area under quarantine may be fumigated, however that treatment is generally cost prohibitive. MDA surveys first detected pine shoot beetle in 1995 in Allegany County. Since then pine shoot beetle has been detected in Garrett, Washington, Frederick and Montgomery counties. All of these counties are under state and federal quarantine restrictions. Over the past eight years Garrett County has experienced a 10‐fold increase in captured beetles. However, since 2003 no beetles have been trapped in Montgomery County. Infestations in Allegany, Frederick, and Washington Counties continued to be monitored and remain relatively low. In 2009 no additional counties were positive. An
4 of 12 additional nine counties, including the pine timber producing counties on the Eastern Shore, were surveyed and no beetles were detected. MDA staff, in cooperation with federal Plant Protection and Quarantine officers, continues to work with the nursery, Christmas tree, and logging industries in Western Maryland to inform them of the quarantine and methods of compliance in order to minimize potential risks and to facilitate commerce and trade. Trapping and/or visual inspections were conducted at all nurseries and tree farms that requested or required certification of Christmas trees, pine nursery stock, and pine products. All farms met the requirements for shipping pine trees and pine products. MDA's Plant Protection and Forest Pest Management staff surveys made it possible for growers to confirm compliance with federal law and to continue shipping high quality pine trees and pine products from within the quarantine area in Western Maryland. The eradication efforts undertaken since the 2006 rediscovery of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in Prince George’s and Charles counties have been redirected due to the realization that removal of all ash host material within prescribed distances from known positive trees was not eliminating the pest. A new plan of action utilizing all available strategies including quarantine enforcement and chemical and biological control is being undertaken to limit the spread of emerald ash borer. Intensive statewide survey using purple prism traps and visual detection will be increased in 2010. Systemic insecticides are being used to treat trap trees in the immediate vicinity of known populations in conjunction with the release and monitoring of three parasitoids (wasps that specifically target the egg or larvae of the beetle and kill them). With material and assistance from USDA, two sites with known infestations had over 10,500 parasitoids released in 2009. Within the eradication zone, 1,010 trap trees were planted in an effort to retain beetles that remain in the area. Six hundred eighty seven of these trees were treated with systemic insecticides as were 570 urban and forest trees. In 2010, urban and forest trees will be selectively treated around known infestations and heavily infested trees will be removed only where appropriate. In 2009, 2,478 purple prism traps were monitored in 18 counties. Detections were made from traps surrounding the eradication zone but no new areas were found. Over 2,500 purple prism traps are to be deployed in Maryland in 2010. For more information on the Maryland Emerald Ash Borer Project, please visit www.mda.state.md.us/go/eab. Sirex woodwasp survey ‐ The Sirex woodwasp (Sirex noctilio), is an exotic pest of pine trees that was first detected in New York in 2004 and is currently known to occur in limited areas of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Concern has been raised because this native of Europe, Asia and northern Africa has the potential to cause significant mortality of pines, including loblolly. This insect has a novel life cycle that includes inserting a fungus along with its egg into a healthy tree so that the young can feed on the wood fiber digested by the fungus. This fungus quickly kills the tree. Plant Protection and Weed Management staff surveyed Maryland’s eight northern tier counties bordering Pennsylvania and 14 other high risk locations. Each of the counties had 10 traps which were serviced from June through October. No target specimens were collected. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a federal noxious weed that was first detected in the State of Maryland in 2003 at 29 sites in Baltimore and Harford counties. In 2005, eight additional sites in Garrett County were added to this list as was one additional site in 2007. Of the 11 locations reported in 2009, only one of the seven positive sites was new in 2009. Four of the seven sites treated early had no re‐growth later in the summer. A multi‐state eradication effort is underway; all previous sites and all newly verified sites were brought into this program. Plans have been made to continue this effort in 2010.
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DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES The Plant Protection and Weed Management diagnostic laboratories provide testing and analyses that support departmental programs and provide answers to inquiries from outside the department and from the general public. During 2009, samples submitted to the laboratory were received from within MDA, University of Maryland Extension, nursery and landscape businesses, and the general public.
ENTOMOLOGY LABORATORY In 2009, several unusual samples were submitted for identification. The white‐footed ant (Technomyrmex albipes) was collected in Ocean City, MD from fire ant survey cups. This ant is becoming a major house pest in southern states. Also on the Eastern Shore, woolly pine scale (Pseudophilippia quaintancii), was detected from loblolly pine in Trappe, MD. The wet year produced several slime mold, earthstar (Geastrum sp.) and dog stinkhorn (Mutinus canus) mushroom samples from peoples’ yards. A land planarian (Bipalium sp.) was found in a woodpile in Baltimore County. It has been seen previously in Howard and Prince George’s counties. This large (3”–5” long) imported flatworm captures and feeds on earthworms, slugs, and other land planarians. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) continued to vex citizens over much of the state. Although harmless and no longer of regulatory concern, these gregarious, fall house invaders can be annoying in numbers, much like boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittatus).
PLANT PATHOLOGY LABORATORY The mission of the Plant Pathology Laboratory at the Maryland Department of Agriculture is to evaluate plant samples for plant pathogens and diseases. General activities include: evaluating plant samples in support of the Nursery Inspection Program to ensure that all plant material in Maryland intended for distribution or sale is disease free; diagnosing plant diseases submitted by other sections of MDA, other Maryland agencies, home gardeners, homeowners, consultants, and industry representatives; providing technical and diagnostic support for virus‐free certification programs; supporting the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program through laboratory assays for specific diseases; and supporting USDA APHIS and MDA regulatory functions through diagnostic assays for pathogens of regulatory importance. The Plant Pathology Laboratory was positively impacted in 2009 by the hiring of our new Plant Disease Specialist in the spring of this year. Dr. Weston Msikita began work in the Plant Pathology Laboratory in May, conducting surveys, running the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, as well as analyses for Phytophthora ramorum on trace forward samples, and training a high school student in correct laboratory techniques. The MDA Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic was established primarily to assist MDA nursery inspection staff with routine diagnostics of plant diseases. Nearly 200 diseased samples have been received in the lab since May, 2009. Samples have come from five different sources: plant inspectors (40%), directly from home growers (25%), commercial landscapers (18%), Pesticide Regulation Section (15%), and direct visits to growers (2%). Diseases diagnosed have varied with the host plant infected, and have ranged from root and stem diseases, bacterial infections, nematodes, viruses and nutritional disorders. The numerous plant samples on the P. ramorum host and associated host list the lab received from home owners, landscapers, and plant dealers around the state have tested negative for P. ramorum.
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In 2009, the lab was involved in three different kinds of disease surveys: grape surveys for Phytoplasma yellows and brown rot fungus (Phellinus noxius); intensive survey for chrysanthemum white rust at a commercial production unit, and one spot check for Japanese rust at a home property. (a) Grape Survey: Nine vineyards in Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick and Montgomery counties were surveyed for the two diseases, and none were found to be infected. In an incident unrelated to the two diseases, one vineyard in Carroll County was found to have Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) on some broadleaf weeds. Grape samples, soil, and a larger number of weed samples were tested for ToRSV, and presence of Xiphinema spp. (the nematode that transmits the ToRSV). No ToRSV was diagnosed on the grape samples, but the virus was confirmed on dandelions (Taraxacum officinale), and Xiphinema spp. were isolated from soil samples. (b) Chrysanthemum White Rust: Intensive surveys for chrysanthemum white rust at a commercial production unit on the Eastern Shore found no rust at the facility. (c) Japanese Apple Rust: Japanese apple rust was reported by USDA at a home in Silver Spring. An on‐the‐spot check was carried out, followed by a random inspection of host associated plants in the neighborhood. Rust was found on a few crabapple trees and at least one apple plant. Training: A high school student from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt has been gaining practical training in the lab periodically since October. She is using ELISA to improve detection of ToRSV in hard to detect host plant species, and is scheduled to finish her training before the end of the year.
GREENHOUSE LABORATORY Plants were produced for integrated pest management and biological control programs that require food for insect colonies and plant material for research. These included purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) to produce colonies of the beetle Galerucella pusilla and mile‐a‐minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata), used to raise colonies of the stem boring weevil, Rhinoncomimus latipes. A variety of native grasses were seeded and grown as part of our continuing effort to establish a new native grass nursery and germplasm repository at the University of Maryland Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville,. A collection of herbaceous perennials used for teaching and testing purposes by the Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Program, in conjunction with the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, was maintained and expanded.
PLANT CERTIFICATION The MDA continues to participate in the virus‐free rose certification program with Angelica Nursery, maintaining two varieties of roses and certified stock plants of one of the varieties in 2009. One variety was propagated by tissue culture, producing a total of 236 plants. Laboratory and greenhouse personnel participated in a visual inspection of all rose plants at the nursery, both in the spring and the fall, and submitted four leaf samples of stock plants to Agdia for testing in their rose screen for viruses. Visual surveys are conducted twice a year, and testing occurs once each year. The Maryland Ginseng Management Program protects American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, by monitoring the harvest and by licensing diggers and dealers of wild, wild‐simulated, woods‐grown and cultivated ginseng. MDA conducts a management program in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that follows established protocols to ensure the continued viability of this potentially threatened native resource and to protect it from over‐harvest. Harvested ginseng is certified through the program to enable licensed dealers to sell this wild‐harvested plant product in international markets. MDA also works with growers of wild‐simulated and woods‐grown ginseng to allow them to market and export their highly valued crops. The dried roots are highly prized, especially
7 of 12 in China and Korea, for properties that putatively promote good health. In 2008‐2009 the program licensed seven ginseng dealers and 314 ginseng collectors in the state. During the 2008‐2009 harvest and sales season, the certification program inspected, collected size and age data from, and weighed 74.72 pounds of dry wild and wild‐simulated ginseng root; 444 pounds of artificially propagated dry ginseng root and 1.5 pounds of wild‐simulated stratified ginseng seed. These harvest and certification numbers were among the lowest in Maryland over the last two decades and are likely due to the status of the global economy which has driven down the price per pound of all types of ginseng. Many licensed harvesters did not sell the ginseng they dug in 2008, hoping for a recovery in the price of ginseng on the international market. Harvest and sales data were gathered and reports submitted in accordance with FWS requirements. The amount of ginseng cultivated, including woods‐grown and wild‐simulated designations in Maryland, and certified by the department, continues to remain high relative to the amount of wild ginseng harvested and certified in the state. This reflects both continuing interest in ginseng as an alternative crop, and the ability of Maryland growers to produce high quality ginseng. If this trend continues, harvest pressure on wild ginseng may be reduced, in turn allowing wild ginseng populations to rebound.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT & BIOLOGICAL CONTROL In 2009, Plant Protection and Weed Management staff again participated in a Plant Protection Guest Lecture Series at the University of Maryland, in ongoing cooperation with the Maryland Plant Protection Center. This effort is a collaboration between USDA and the University of Maryland that aims to establish a leading academic research and extension program in the mid‐Atlantic region.
Weed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plant Protection and Weed Management Section entomologists and staff continued to conduct an IPM program to provide biological control of certain thistle species. The program has helped significantly to control musk thistle along highway areas that are inaccessible to mowing and/or spraying equipment. MDA provided technical assistance with noxious weed problems on public land to various federal, county and state agencies, including the University of Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources, correctional institutions, county road departments, State Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Weed IPM research activities were conducted at field plots at the MDA facility in Cheltenham, at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, and along State Highway Administration rights of ways. These cooperative research projects have been conducted over each of the past nine years. IPM investigations continued to target the suppression of Cirsium and Carduus thistles. Research is focused on the evaluation of organisms for potential biocontrol, testing herbicide formulation efficacy, and evaluating the use of competitive vegetation (including native grasses and forbs), in an effort to provide environmentally sound and cost‐effective methods for suppression of noxious thistle species in Maryland. The staff entomologist coordinating the weed IPM program and the MDA Plant Protection Section Program Manager met with SHA Landscape Operations Division staff and SHA Research Division administrators to review program accomplishments and progress, and to coordinate and develop a new work plan and memorandum of understanding for research over the next two years. A survey for the presence and effects of rose rosette disease was continued in 2009. Rose rosette disease is a disease of the multiflora rose, Rosa multiflora, a problem weed in pastures, woodlands, and rights of ways in Maryland and many other states. The disease, which has become
8 of 12 established in North America and is spread by natural means, reduces populations of this invasive rose species. Since the disease was first detected in Maryland in the 1990s, results of surveys conducted by MDA Plant Protection and Weed Management staff indicate that the disease is continuing to spread over a wide portion of Central and Northern Maryland, and has become locally established in Southern Maryland and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. In 2009, a field experiment to test the relative susceptibility of various rose cultivars and native rose species to rose rosette disease was continued at the MDA facility in Cheltenham. This experiment, begun in 2002, is intended to provide valuable information needed to assess the effects of the disease on rose species other than R. multiflora, including native species and cultivars important to the landscape and nursery trade in Maryland. This was another active year for releases of biological control agents, the leaf‐feeding beetles Gallerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla, on populations of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). All of the beetles released this year were from beetles reared at the MDA plant pest quarantine facility in Annapolis. During the summer of 2009, more than 800 adult beetles were released at several locations on the Patuxent River near Jug Bay and adjacent to the Merkle Wildlife Management Area. Additional releases were made in Anne Arundel County (200 adult beetles), in Prince George’s County (200 adult beetles), in central Howard County (550 adult beetles), in southern Charles County near Port Tobacco (1,400 adult beetles) and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Caroline County (800) adult beetles. Partners with the Maryland Department of Agriculture in these efforts are the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland‐National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. Funding for the project was, in part, derived from funds dedicated by the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration. MDA was the primary coordinating agency. The Gallerucella rearing program move from Cheltenham to our main headquarters in Annapolis has continued to be successful as well as efficient. MDA staff reared beetles at the MDA greenhouse and rearing laboratories in Annapolis and in 2008 were successful for the first time at bringing the adult beetles out of overwintering diapause and increasing beetle numbers significantly over the course of the spring and summer. Progress continued in 2009 and MDA staff is making preparations to increase production even further in 2010. In addition to the releases and the rearing project described above, locations where beetles were previously released in Prince George’s, Howard, Anne Arundel, Charles and Caroline counties were surveyed for Gallerucella, and were evaluated for levels of plant control. No detectable level of control of purple loosestrife has been noted, but for the fifth consecutive year, high numbers of beetles were observed at the Howard County site, indicating that established populations are reproducing at that location. Slow increase of beetle populations is not uncommon, and significant reduction of purple loosestrife populations has taken five to seven years or longer in some other states. Additional releases of adult and larval beetles are planned for 2010. The Maryland Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks (HCR&P), released an additional 2,000 mile‐a‐minute weevil adults (Rhinoncomimus latipes) in 2009. The releases were performed at two new sites in central Howard County. In addition, weevils were released at four new sites in Prince George’s County, the first releases in Maryland outside of Howard County. Three of the sites were at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Reasearch Center (BARC) and releases were made with cooperation from the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The other Prince George’s County site was in Hyattsville, along the Anacostia River, and the release was made with cooperation from the Anacostia Watershed Society. A total of 2,000 weevils were released at the four sites in Prince George’s County This weevil is a beetle that feeds exclusively on an invasive vine from Asia known as the mile‐a‐ minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata). The first weevils were first released in Maryland in 2007 at test
9 of 12 plots located on county property near Meadowbrook Park in central Howard County. The releases and subsequent data collections are part of cooperative research with the University of Delaware Department of Entomology and Wildlife Biology to study the efficacy of the weevil for biological control of mile‐a‐minute weed. Weevils have overwintered successfully at the field release sites and were very active in the spring and summer of 2009. As part of an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, the Plant Protection Section Weed Biocontrol Program began a greenhouse and laboratory mile‐a‐minute weevil rearing program in 2008. The program continued in 2009, and has made modest progress to date. Field results show great promise for use of the weevil as a host‐specific control against mile‐a‐minute weed.
NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT This program supports the control and eradication of designated noxious weeds in order to reduce their economic and aesthetic impact on farmers and landowners. Noxious weeds (Johnsongrass, shattercane, thistles, and multiflora rose) cause losses in excess of $25 million annually to Maryland agriculture due to reduced quality and yields of crops and forages, increased control costs, and increased roadside and development property management cost. The Maryland General Assembly enacted the first Nuisance Weed Law on Johnsongrass in 1969. In 1987, the Nuisance Weed Law was rewritten and renamed the Noxious Weed Law (Title 9, Subtitle 4, Agriculture Article, Annotated Code of Maryland). The Noxious Weed Law requires that a landowner, or a person who possesses and manages land, eradicate or control the noxious weeds on that land by using practices prescribed by the department, including mowing, cultivating, or treating with an approved herbicide. The law prohibits the importation and transportation of these weeds in the State and prohibits the presence of viable noxious weed seed and rhizomes in seed, topsoil, mulch, nursery stock, on farm machinery, or any other article. The Noxious Weed Law also provides that the Department of Agriculture may enter into an agreement with a county or political subdivision to provide technical and financial assistance for initiating weed management and eradication programs. A weed control advisory committee has been established in each of the 20 participating counties, with representatives from farming organizations, governmental agencies, local farmers and other property owners. Each committee provides advice or input into planning the noxious weed control program in that county. A county weed control coordinator, usually employed on a part‐time basis, determines the degree of noxious weed infestations within the county, locates uncontrolled infestations, provides information on currently recommended control practices, and initiates agreements with landowners to implement a control program. In many counties, the local weed control coordinator also performs spot‐spraying on roadsides, in cooperation with the Maryland State Highway Administration, to help eliminate Johnsongrass or thistles and to control noxious weeds on private or public lands for a fee. In counties with no weed control coordinator, MDA Weed Control Program employees handle these duties. This program was highly successful in most areas of the State during 2009. The weed control program provided an average of $2,900 per county in grant assistance to 20 counties. The grants were leveraged with similar amounts of money from the counties and the counties generated in excess of $910,000 from spraying services provided by the county programs. The county programs are supervised by the state personnel as specified by contract. Under the direction of Plant Protection and Weed Management Section entomologists, staff assisted in an integrated pest management (IPM) program to provide biological control of certain thistle species. Noxious weed advisory notices were mailed to 348 managers of property infested with a noxious weed. Generally these notices were effective in obtaining compliance. When necessary, MDA sent follow‐up correspondence resulting in compliance.
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The Weed Control Program responds to citizens' requests for technical assistance in controlling invasive, difficult to control, persistent weeds, such as phragmites, kudzu, mile‐a‐minute, tree of heaven, Japanese stilt grass, purple loosestrife, Japanese bamboo, as well as invasive bamboo. Giant hogweed is a federal noxious weed that was first detected in the State of Maryland in 2003. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) was originally detected at 29 sites in Baltimore and Harford counties. In 2005, eight additional sites in Garrett County were added to this list, as was one additional site in 2007. No new sites were found in 2008. A multi‐state eradication effort is underway, all previous sites and all newly verified sites were brought into this program. The Weed Control staff partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the tenth year in providing a phragmites management program. Upon request from landowners or managers, the Weed Control Program staff supplied technical and spraying assistance for control. The DNR provided 100 percent of the cost of the herbicide (Aquaneet®) applied in the nine counties of the Eastern Shore for phragmites. Total spray revenue for phragmites control was in excess of $75,000 for treating approximately 320 acres in 291 locations in 16 counties. In all counties, the noxious Weed Control Program's spraying service was offered to landowners participating in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Due to the likelihood of weed problems occurring on land in these programs, spraying services were offered for noxious weed control.
OTHER SECTION ACTIVITIES During 2008, MDA continued to take a leadership role in the Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC), a forum for information exchange and consensus building among diverse interests in public and private agencies or organizations concerned with invasive species. Several PPWM staff members were directly involved with MISC and were able to assist other members or individuals with technical expertise, as well as partner with other agencies on grants to control invasive species. Through MISC, the MDA has been able to disseminate information on many of the serious pests cited in this report. The MISC website is www.mdinvasivesp.org. Section staff continued to administer the basic and specialist examinations for the Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) program. This is a voluntary program, sponsored by the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Associations (MNLA), for those desiring to demonstrate proficiency in horticulture. After meeting a combination of educational and work experiences, and studying a comprehensive manual that is the heart of the program, an applicant must pass a rigorous examination in order to be certified. The examinations have written and practical elements that are set up, proctored, and graded by the MDA.
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Plant Protection and Weed Management Summary of 2009 Activity
2007 2008 2009 Beekeepers Registered 1,331 1,152 1,363 Apiaries Registered 1,460 1,152 1,849 Apiaries Visited 620 725 845 Apiaries Inspected 509 593 660 Apiaries with Disease 29 25 23 Bee Colonies Registered 8,212 9,379 11,474 Bee Colonies Inspected 4,603 4,725 3,918 Bee Colonies with Disease (American Foul Brood) 45 34 40 Laboratory Diagnoses of Bee Diseases and Pests 98 21 96 Colonies Certified for Movement Out of State 3,860 3,975 2,527 Colonies Moved into Maryland Under Permit 452 550 773 Bee Colonies Certified During Inspection 4,603 4,725 3,878 Field Diagnoses for Varroa Mite 92 70 65 Ginseng Dealers Registered 10 9 11 Ginseng Collectors Licensed 230 230 303 Plant Inspections Conducted 920 602 417 Nurseries Certified 400 369 355 Nursery Acreage Certified 9,540 9,360 10934 Plant Dealers Licensed 642 644 624 Plant Dealer Retail Outlets Licensed 739 838 839 Greenhouse Plants Inspected (1,000 sq. ft.) 7,978 7,978 7,978 Plant Brokers Licensed 13 16 14 Post‐entry Quarantine Inspections 11 5 3 Phytosanitary Certificates Issued 328 301 109 Condemnation‐Seizure Notices Issued 13 9 1 Plants Condemned 1,149 617 7 Imported Fire Ant Positive Sites 3 6 4 Imported Fire Ant Traps Placed 1,395 1,593 1,502 Imported Fire Ant Traps With Some Species of Ants 409 712 549 Special Insect Traps Monitored 2,027 3,663 5,818 Blacklight Samples Processed 5,875 5,611 2,077 Soil Samples Processed for Nematode Surveys 14 10 12
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HEALTH / AGRICULTURE BUILDING CHRIS CHRISTIE PO BOX 330 DOUGLAS H. FISHER Governor TRENTON NJ 08625-0330 Secretary
KIM GUADAGNO Lt. Governor
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD
SUMMARY OF 2009 ACTIVITIES
APIARY INSPECTION
Approximately 12,000 colonies entered New Jersey from Florida, Maryland, Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, and South Carolina for commercial pollination of fruit crops, blueberries, and cranberries. A percentage of these colonies were inspected, the quality was good this year.
New Jersey had a 34% winter death loss the winter of 2009. That was up from 17% the previous winter. There were 3,247 colonies inspected for brood disease and parasites. They were located in 382 apiaries. The program detected 17 cases of American Foul Brood which was cleaned up according to NJ regulations. There were 14 cases of European Foul Brood detected in 2009. At the end of the 2009 season New Jersey had 1,100 registered beekeepers in state, keeping 1,600 apiaries. The apiarist certified the bee yards of 12 beekeepers who sell nucs and queens.
The Apiarist and seasonal inspector conducted three 3 day beginner beekeeping courses in conjunction with Rutgers University. 240 new beekeepers took these courses. The apiary staff conducted a new class in two locations. This class is called Beyond the Basics of Beekeeping. It was limited to 40 students. This class is for beekeepers who have been keeping bees for at least 1 full season. It consisted of morning lectures and afternoon applications in the bee yard the material which was presented in the morning lectures.
The Apiarist gave 16 presentations to various grower groups, schools, and beekeepers meetings. The Department remains focused on education, as an educated beekeeper is often a better beekeeper. There still remain many beekeepers that cannot identify bee diseases or mites. With recurrent training they will become better beekeepers.
The apiarist is actively encouraging New Jersey beekeepers to develop business selling New Jersey raised Nucs and queens. Our goal is for these bee breeders to raise
New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer • www.nj.gov/agriculture\
queens from colonies that successfully over winter in the state and continue to produce a sound honey crop.
NURSERY INSPECTION PROGRAM
New Jersey law requires that all nursery stock sold in New Jersey be free of injurious pests, ensuring that ornamental plants purchased by consumers are healthy and do not contain pests that could spread to other plants.
The nursery inspection staff inspected over 18,912.25 acres in nursery stock and 5,472,346 square feet of greenhouse area at 1,258 locations to certify freedom from dangerous insects and diseases. The most frequently observed pests were bagworm, white pine weevil, Japanese beetle, spider mite and a variety of scale insects. These infestations were controlled under Department orders. A total of 684 plant dealers (garden centers and landscape firms) are certified for the year 2010. The list of certified nurseries and plant dealers is posted on the Division’s web site and is updated monthly.
The Division's inspectors issued 132 state phytosanitary certificates for material such as dormant and blooming bulb plants, Ginkgo, Jasmine, Poinsettia and Geranium cuttings, and Asian Grapefruit to be shipped to the Central, Western and Southern States. 121 federal phytosanitary certificates were issued enabling the export of plants and plant material, such as, Poinsettia cuttings, rose plants, nursery stock, Apricot scion wood and assorted dormant bulbs to Canada, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Japan, France and others countries.
White Pine Blister Rust regulations of New Jersey require permits for the planting of European Black Currant plants within New Jersey. One of the two permitted locations for these currant plants withdrew from the program and the 500 European Black Currant Plants on the site were destroyed by incineration, under a local “burn permit”. This destruction was monitored by the nursery inspector assigned to this grower. Only one permitted European Black Currant fruit producer, with 200 plants, continues to cultivate these plants for fruit production.
Field inspections of blueberry plants were conducted at blueberry plant production nurseries participating in the Blueberry Plant Certification Program. This Blueberry Plant Certification Program exists to inspect for targeted disease and insects, as-well- as, common injurious insects and diseases. The spring and fall inspection were completed at 7 blueberry nurseries with locations in Atlantic, Burlington and Gloucester Counties. Spring and Fall inspections were completed on 36,747 Mother Plants. During the fall inspection, 2,261,107 blueberry plants were inspected, consisting of 32,747 mother plants, 1,158,823 nursery plants, 1,579,860 cuttings and 677 potted plants. During these inspections 1,332 plants were rejected and destroyed for diseases such as Stunt, Ringspot and Mosaic Viruses. Dodder, a parasitic plant, was found and removed from 88 blueberry plants.
The Nursery Inspection Program, under an agreement with the USDA-APHIS, inspects and regulates certain plant material entering New Jersey. The “Post Entry” plant material enters New Jersey through designated ports of entry and must be grown, under quarantine, by the Federal Permit Holder for two years. During these two years, state inspectors visit the pre-approved site where the post entry plants are grown. The inspection is completed twice a year at the site where the plant material is being grown. These inspections are designed to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases and insect’s specific to the plants under quarantine. Three inspections of “Post Entry” plant material were completed by state and federal personnel. The plant material, which is currently under quarantine are Mahonia spp.. Japanese Maples and Barberry plants from New Zealand and The Netherlands have been recommended for release under the Post Entry Program, following the required inspections/procedures.
CANADIAN BLUEBERRY FRUIT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Division staff approved 26 blueberry growers for participation in the Canadian Blueberry Certification Program. This program is designed to facilitate export of fresh blueberry fruit into Canada while protecting against the introduction of blueberry maggot – a native to northeastern United States. Detecting the onset of adult fly emergence is critical to this program, and the first positive adult catch for 2009 was confirmed in Burlington County on June 12th. Division staff monitored the pesticide application, shipping and cooking records for participating growers during this time. A total of 22 growers in Atlantic County and 1 grower in Burlington County shipped a total 462,205 flats of fresh blueberries into Canadian markets under the program in 2009.
Most of the growers reported a decrease in sales volume of 25 to 40 percent from last year. A few growers cited a 10 to 15 percent decrease overall. There were three growers that had no sales to Canada this year.
VEGETABLE TRANSPLANT INSPECTION
In 2009, Division staff inspected 18 lots of vegetable transplants shipped into the state for use by New Jersey farmers for plant disease, insect or nematode problems. Of the total 1,717,353 plants received 125,626 plants were inspected. The predominant crops inspected were leek, escarole, endive, lettuce and tomatoes. No lots were rejected for disease or insect problems during 2009.
PLANT PEST SURVEY
The Department participated in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program, a cooperative effort between the USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Program (PPQ), state universities and state departments of agriculture throughout the U.S.A.
A soybean commodity survey was conducted at 20 farms in six counties. Soybean fields were visually inspected for the following pests: Yellow Witchweed (Alectra vogelii), Vineyard Snail (Cernuella virgata), and Citrus Brown Mite (Eutetranychus orientalis). In addition delta traps with pheromone lures were placed in all fields for Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth (Adoxophyes orana). Traps were serviced bi-weekly and delivered to the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Clinic for screening. No suspect weeds, snails, mites or moths were detected.
New Jersey participated in a National trapping survey for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Eighty large purple sticky traps were placed at 20 locations throughout the state. Trapping sites included nurseries, campgrounds and sawmills. Lures were changed once and traps were inspected twice throughout the trapping season. No suspects were detected.
Lindgren funnel traps were deployed for a European Wood Wasp (Sirex noctilio) survey at twenty locations in two counties. All traps were located in pine stands. Traps were serviced once every two weeks and lures were changed monthly. Trap catches were forwarded to the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA for identification. No Sirex noctilio were detected during this survey.
An insect trapping program entitled Enhanced Pest Trapping conducted in urban areas with a high risk of infestation due to density of importers. Ten black light insect traps were deployed in seven counties. Traps were serviced approximately twice per week during the months of September and October. Traps were serviced once per week in November. Trap catches were submitted to the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Clinic for screening. Traps were screened for the following invasive insect pests: Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), brown spruce longhorn beetle (Tetropium fuscum), cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae), camphor shoot beetle (Xylosandrus mutilates), Cotton Cutworm (Spodoptera litura), European hardwood ambrosia beetle (Trypodendron domesticum), fruit piercing moth (Eudocima fullonia), golden-haired bark beetle (Hylurgus ligniperda), golden twin spotted moth (Chrysodeixis chalcites), grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana), Japanese pine sawyer beetle (Monochamus alternatus), light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana), Pine-tree lappet (Dendrolimus pini), plum fruit moth (Cydia funebrana), rosy gypsy moth (Lymantria mathura), satin moth (Leucoma salicis), Siberian silk moth (Dendrolimus superans), Silver-Y-moth (Autographa gamma), soybean pod borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella), summer fruit tortrix moth (Adoxophyes orana), variegated golden tortrix (Archips xylosteanus), and yellow peach moth (Conogethes punctiferalis). No suspects were detected.
The survey pathologist in cooperation with Rutgers University monitored five soybean fields in five counties for signs of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi). These soybean sentinel plots were inspected weekly and results were uploaded to the USDA APHIS soybean rust website. No suspect rust was found.
GYPSY MOTH SUPPRESSION
In the spring of 2009, the Department supervised the treatment a total of 37,692 acres in 56 municipalities and properties managed by five agencies using applications of the non-chemical insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk.) on 36,833 acres and GYPCHEK on 859 acres. All treatments were made at a rate of ½ gallon per acre. Btk was applied at a dosage rate of 38 B.I.U. (64 ounces of Foray 76B) per acre, while GYPCHEK was applied using 1 trillion OB’s per acre. The treatment blocks were located in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Sussex and Warren Counties.
Because the Department was directly involved in the supervision of the program, New Jersey received $804,861 in USDA Forest Service funds to cover 23 percent of the municipal aerial spray costs. The municipalities that participated in the voluntary aerial spray program enjoyed greener, healthier shade trees and reduced larval nuisance.
The 2009 statewide gypsy moth aerial defoliation survey showed a slight 70% decrease of gypsy moth defoliation compared to the levels the previous year. Defoliation occurred on 91,890 acres in 184 municipalities and 19 counties throughout the state. The majority of defoliation occurred in Burlington, Cumberland, Ocean and Sussex Counties.
Only one block encompassing 99 acres of residential forested properties in Atlantic County had been proposed for treatment for the spring of 2010. The affected municipality in Atlantic County opted not to participate on the 2010 aerial suppression program.
Populations of gypsy moth have dramatically declined throughout the state as a result of effective treatments during the spring of 2009, increased Entomophaga. maimaiga activity and heavy parasitism. As a result, the Division has no plans to conduct any treatments during the spring of 2010.
ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE
In 2002, Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) was confirmed in Jersey City, New Jersey. A multi agency program was established with the USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Program (PPQ) and the New Jersey Forest Service to eradicate this foreign invasive insect pest. As a result, a quarantine area of 3.7 square miles was established in Jersey City and Hoboken. A total of 461 host trees were removed and 1,060 additional host trees were treated with imidacloprid for three years. In 2005, all treatments were completed and the quarantine was lifted. Survey activities continued in the Jersey City unit with no additional finds. Surveys were completed in August 2008 leading to a declaration of eradication in this area.
In August 2004 a second infestation of ALB was detected in Carteret, New Jersey. Subsequent survey activities expanded the quarantine area into Woodbridge, in Middlesex County; as well as Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Clark, and Elizabeth, in Union County New Jersey. The newest positive find was made in August, 2006, in the city of Linden. This last find expanded the quarantine area to 25 square miles. Since November 2004, 616 infested and over 20,000 high risk host trees have been removed, and preventive treatments with imidacloprid were applied to more than 30,000 trees. These treatments extend out up to ½ mile from an infested tree location. This year saw the last chemical treatment for ALB in New Jersey. We are currently in the process of completing a verification survey to eventually declare this quarantine area eradicated.
Surveys in high-risk warehouse locations (Level 3), which receive commodities from foreign countries where Asian Longhorned Beetle is native continued this year and has been expanded to include several target industries and major transportation corridor rest areas. To date there has been no new positive finds outside of the quarantine zone established in 2004.
This summer New Jersey participated in the Northeast Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (NEFPOSP) an ALB outreach program sponsored by the USDA APHIS PPQ. As a part of the program the governor declared the month of August as Asian Longhorned Beetle awareness month. During this month we focused our outreach efforts at several county fairs as well as the New Jersey state fair. Personnel from the New Jersey Forest Service and Rutgers Cooperative Extension aided in the outreach events and surveys. Visits were made to both public and private campgrounds to hand out educational and identification materials. The Department also promoted ALB awareness through a media campaign using both TV and radio spots for over two months reaching tens of thousands of citizens.
In an effort to stop the spread of injurious insects and diseases a new “Jersey Grown Firewood” program was introduced using outreach funds. This program complements the goals of the USDA and The Nature Conservancy’s “Don’t Move Firewood“program in combating the spread of invasive species.
SEED CONTROL
A total of 131 samples of seed were submitted to the Division’s Seed Laboratory for analysis. Thirty-four percent of these samples, collected by inspectors for regulatory purposes, were analyzed to determine seed quality and germination rates. Emphasis for sampling and testing was placed on agricultural crop seed, commercial vegetable seed and turfgrass seed.
In order to monitor agricultural seed sold through farm supply outlets, 22 lots of vegetable seed and 6 lots of flower seed were inspected and sampled in 2009 for quality control analysis prior to being used by farmers. In addition, 17 lots of grass seed were sampled from wholesale distributors and growers. This seed was analyzed for germination and purity. Laboratory testing of these lots found that all samples germinated at or above the percentages listed on the label and were free of any noxious weed seeds.
The general quality of vegetable seed sold in New Jersey directly to farmers is excellent and is accurately labeled. Seed companies do not provide vigor test information on their labels, and are not required by law to do so. Vigor testing, conducted by the seed laboratory upon request, has provided valuable information to several vegetable growers. Low vigor seed could have a disastrous financial impact on growers who plant seed early when germination conditions are less than optimal. In 2009, 30 tests for vigor were conducted for growers of sweet corn and spinach.
SEED CERTIFICATION
Turf seed samples (15) were taken from lots of certified turf seed shipped to New Jersey from other States. These samples, which represented 57,200 pounds of certified turfgrass seed, were tested to determine eligibility for the interagency certified seed program. Certification program staff supervised mixing of 6,500 pounds of high quality turf seed. New Jersey sod growers used this seed to produce a high quality sod product.
Division staff certified 29 acres of conservation plant material developed at the USDA NRCS Cape May Plant Materials Center. This stock is used primarily for coastal soil stabilization. Because of the important role this soil conservation plant material plays in coastline stabilization, the demand for plants to replant established sand dunes continues to remain high. In addition, five acres of Bermudagrass sod was inspected and certified for one New Jersey sod grower.
PLANT LABORATORY SERVICES
The Plant Laboratory Services unit provides laboratory support for regulatory inspection and insect rearing programs of the Division of Plant Industry. Germination, purity, vigor and noxious weed examinations were performed on seed submitted to the laboratory. Our survey of seed germinations has assured the farmers their seed will perform at the germination percentages specified on the seed labels under ideal conditions. Vigor testing information allowed the farmer to modify planting times as well as growing and storage conditions. Vigor tests conducted on certain seeds indicated that many of the high germination seed lots did not perform well under stressed conditions. Growers of sweet corn, spinach, and peppers find these tests extremely beneficial to their operations.
Leaf tissue samples were collected from blueberry and cranberry mother plants for blueberry scorch virus testing. Blueberry scorch is the leading disease in New Jersey blueberries. A total of 5,435 samples representing approximately 50,000 mother plants were tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for this virus. A total of seven growers in two counties were tested. All samples were negative for blueberry scorch virus. The antibodies used in this test were developed as a joint project between the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Rutgers. Scientists at Rutgers are currently developing new antibodies to be used in these tests.
The laboratory supported the Apiary Inspection program through the analysis of bees for Varroa and tracheal mites, and testing for American foulbrood, which is a bacterial disease of bees. The field and laboratory staff coordinated the testing of plant material for P. ramorum (SOD), plum pox, and other plant pathogens using ELISA and Polymerize Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. Liquid chromatography (LC) was used to identify plant and seed varieties. Electrophoresis is also used to identify plants, seeds, as well as insects.
Mycotoxin fungi can be potentially dangerous to animals if they produce toxins in significant quantities on feed materials. The Division’s Plant Laboratory has set up a protocol to screen and quantify the concentration of mycotoxins. The techniques involve a combination of ELISA tests, thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography. The rainy conditions last spring were of concern to grain growers because some of their harvested grains were being rejected due to high mycotoxin content. This caused economic concern in the farming community and resulted in an increased request for mycotoxin testing.
New Laboratory
Construction began on the construction of a new state Public Health, Environmental and Agriculture Laboratory (NJPHEAL) building. Time lines for the completion of the NJPHEAL building and move have been scheduled. It is expected that the construction will be substantially complete by the end of May, with the Department’s Animal Health and Plant Industry Divisions beginning to move into this facility this fall. A number of committees have been established to coordinate the complex nature of the moving and decommissioning of the current laboratory and to communicate the information discussed in those committees within the Department.
Food Emergency Response Network (FERN)
The Plant Laboratory has been a participating FERN laboratory in the areas of chemistry and microbiology. One of our staff members was selected for training in Hawaii this year. The purpose of this course was to provide training in laboratory practices, principles and procedures for performing real time (qPCR) to screen samples and specimens during intentional and unintentional events. The course also provided a detailed explanation of, and hands-on exposure to Reverse Transcriptase PCR technique for the detection of Vibrio species and Enterohaemorrahagic Escherichia coli 0157 H7 (EHEC) in food matrices. Participants were expected to facilitate the transfer of qPCR techniques for food analysis applications to their labs after attending the course. The use of microbial pathogens, and/or their toxins were used in the course proper; also a review of proper safety techniques was conducted in case such an event was to occur. The course also enabled the students to develop a working relationship between analysts from FERN laboratories involved in the detection of contaminants in adulterated foods.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT PESTS
Under the Division’s Biological Control Program, beneficial parasitoids and predators are laboratory reared for release into the field to control agricultural and forest pests, as well as to protect the state’s natural resources and other open lands. The release of beneficial insects reduces the need for pesticides, reduces the amount of pesticide residue in the environment and minimizes pest resistance to chemicals. The reduction of pesticide applications in the field also allows the native beneficial insects to increase, adding more pressure on the pest populations.
During 2009, the Division conducted nine biological control programs designed to establish new beneficial species in the state, reduce pest populations in certain crops, monitor pest populations to determine impacts and gather base line data, gather efficacy on new biological control programs and monitor established beneficial insect populations on a variety of crops to evaluate the need for augmenting those populations. Seven of these programs required laboratory rearing of beneficial insects for release into the field. The goal is to reduce or maintain New Jersey pest populations below economic levels.
The Mexican bean beetle (MBB), (Epilachna varivestis, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) biological control program involves the mass production and release of small beneficial wasps (Pediobius foveolatus, Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) to control MBB. The Mexican bean beetle feeds on snap bean, lima bean and soybean foliage. The imported wasps, known as parasitoids, attack and kill MBB larvae. The exotic parasitoids cannot over-winter in New Jersey, and must be reared in the laboratory and released into soybean fields each summer. In 2008, a total of 244,000 adult parasitoids were released into 39 farms with an additional 160,000 released directly into soybean and lima bean fields.
New Jersey farmers planted about 100,000 acres of soybeans in 2009. Approximately 80% (80,000 acres) of the total acreage was susceptible to feeding damage by the Mexican bean beetle. The parasitoid release program has been so successful in reducing MBB populations, to manageable levels, that no pesticide applications have been required on soybean acreage since 1993. In 2009, this savings has amounted to approximately $1,280,000 in reduced pesticide costs. This program receives financial support from the New Jersey Soybean Board.
Under a cooperative agreement with the USDA, Forest Service (USFS), the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory (PABIL) began work in 2007 with Laricobius nigrinus, a Derodontid beetle predator, of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). A total of 1,071 beetles were released in New Jersey in 2009. Evaluation of release sites confirmed field reproduction as overwintering Laricobius beetles were recovered from two of the six pre-2007 release sites in October; one recovery was from the 2005 release site in Worthington SF which is four consecutive years of recovery for that site.
Since 1988, Division staff has monitored eleven permanent study plots in an effort to document the impact of hemlock woolly adelgid on the State’s natural hemlock stands. New growth counts have been recorded annually to determine the quality and health of the trees at each site. When the trees become stressed, less new growth sprouts. Significant tree mortality was first observed in heavily infested HWA study plots in 1995. Since that time tree mortality has steadily increased with some stands reaching as high as 100%. Usually within two to three years of a heavy infestation tree decline becomes evident. Although mortality varies from plot to plot, the plots that have been heavily infested the longest demonstrate the most mortality. Stands with secondary pest problems, such as scale or mites, decline more rapidly. In NJ, the hemlock woolly adelgid is on an 11 year cycle with peak populations occurring in
The exotic freshwater wetland plant, purple loosestrife, (Lythrum salicaria, Lythracaeae) is displacing the native flora and threatening many animals that depend on these plants for survival. Large monotypic stands of this plant have the capacity to reduce ground water recharge, decrease water storage capacity of a wetland, reduce the marsh’s ability to attenuate floods, reduce open water space, reduce species diversity, and jeopardize the health and vitality of the marsh ecosystem. Until recently the only methods of control were chemical, physical or mechanical, all of which are expensive, temporary and often impact non-target species.
The Division continues to mass produce and monitor two foliage feeding beetles of purple loosestrife, (Galerucella pusilla and Galerucella calmariensis, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), as part of a cooperative program with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish & Wildlife (DF&W) and with a grant from the USDA, APHIS/PPQ. In 2009, the PABIL produced 598,000 Galerucella spp., 112,000 of which were released in NJ’s loosestrife-infested wetlands, the remainder being sold to land managers and cooperators in the Northeast. Since the initial releases in 1997, approximately 1.8 million beetles have been released at 106 sites in 17 New Jersey counties. Galerucella has been recovered from approximately 98% of these release sites.
After releasing the beetles for only five years, the purple loosestrife population collapsed at one site in Hunterdon County. Since the collapse of the population at the Hunterdon site, purple loosestrife populations in four Sussex County sites have also collapsed due to heavy beetle feeding. Additional sites are showing signs of purple loosestrife stress and collapse. Galerucella spp. have been recovered at 88 non-release sites since 2002 with one recovery made 31.5 miles away from the closest release site in 2008.
In addition, releases have been made at a number of sites including National Park Service lands, and sites managed by Natural Lands Management, The Nature Conservancy of NJ, Mercer County Park Commission, Union County Park System, Allentown Borough, Rider University, property managed by the NJ Meadowlands Commission, a number of mitigation sites and private landowner properties. Since 1997, 770,400 beetles have been shipped to other states including Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Michigan and New Hampshire in an effort to establish field colonies within those states.
In 2004, as part of a cooperative effort, including the USFS, University of Delaware and the NJDA, forty-six beetles, Rhinoncomimus latipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), host specific to an exotic invasive plant, mile-a-minute (MAM), Persicaria perfoliata, were shipped to the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory from specimens collected in China, in order to develop a mass rearing technique. The remaining beetles (200) from that shipment were released into a MAM site in South Jersey. In 2005, the beetle was recovered from the release site, thereby, documenting establishment.
Since receiving the beetles from the University of Delaware, the PABIL has made enormous progress in understanding the requirements necessary to produce this predatory weevil, R. latipes and its host, MAM. The Laboratory has devised a method for producing the plant from rooted cuttings and has established a stock of plants in the greenhouse sufficient enough to not only continue developing and evaluating rearing techniques, but also to begin increasing production levels high enough to allow for releases in New Jersey and other states. In 2008, the laboratory’s production capacity reached a sustained level of more than 2,000 new weevils emerging each week, permitting 25,858 predators to be released in New Jersey in 2009, with an additional 15,122 predators shipped to cooperators in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland.
During 2009, R. latipes weevils were recovered from all of the 2008 release sites for an establishment rate of 100%. Field evaluations of the release sites showed decreases percent cover and seedling numbers at monitored release sites and two of which were completely defoliated by the weevils.
From 1992 to 2004 a predatory beetle from China Cybocephalus nipponicus (Coleoptera: Cybocephalidae) was reared in the laboratory and released in the landscape on shrubs and trees infested with euonymus scale (Unaspis euonymi, Homoptera: Diaspididae) and euonymus alatus scale, Lepidosaphes yangicola, (Homoptera: Diaspididae). Establishment of the beetle has been confirmed in every New Jersey County. Observations at previous release sites have also verified its ability to colonize and reduce scale populations in both shady and sunny locations. A total of 685,930 predatory beetles have been released on euonymus scale.
Cybocephalus will feed on a number of Diaspid (hard shell) scale species. Elongate Hemlock Scale (EHS), (Fiorinia externa, Homoptera: Diaspididae) is a hard scale species that is commonly found on hemlock needles often causing a decline in hemlock vigor. Initial laboratory studies confirmed that C. nipponicus larvae and adults would feed on EHS.
A total of 11,000 C. nipponicus were released in 8 hemlock sites in 2008. The beetles were recovered at 58.5% of the surveyed hemlock sites, not all of which had received releases in the past. C. nipponicus is expanding its range in New Jersey and establishing itself on hemlocks infested with EHS. Besides evaluating the release sites, sixty additional natural hemlock stands were surveyed resulting in beetles being observed in seven of them. Since the observations were made in stands far removed from the release site, it is believed the beetle, which is established on euonymus plants throughout the state, dispersed naturally to these stands.
In New Jersey, a native pest, tarnished plant bug (TPB), (Lygus lineolaris Hemiptera: Miridae) is often observed in alfalfa but seldom causes economic damage to this crop. However, large numbers of TPB can cause significant damage to stone fruit, strawberries, and many other plant species of economic importance.
In 2001, the Division received an exotic European Mirid parasitoid (Peristenus relictus Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the USDA, Beneficial Insect Research Laboratory, Newark, Delaware to investigate the feasibility of utilizing it as a biological control agent for TPB. With the development of an inexpensive, high quality TPB diet by researchers at the USDA, ARS Biological Control and Mass Rearing Unit, Mississippi State University, the potential to rear tens of thousands of host TPB nymphs in the laboratory is now feasible, making it possible to dramatically increase parasitoid production. Since 2004, the laboratory has made significant rearing progress utilizing this egg-based artificial diet. Host and parasitoid colonies are at their highest levels of production and vigor, with 2,000 – 3,000 parasitoids produced weekly.
In 2009 a total of 51,000 P. relictus was released among 20 fields in Mercer, Burlington, Ocean, Cape May, Monmouth and Atlantic Counties. However, no recoveries were made. A total of nine Peristenus digoneutis specimens were recovered in 2009 from field-collected tarnished plant bug nymphs. P. digoneutis is a solitary parasitoid that has been previously established in the northern part of the state in the 1980’s by the USDA.
With the increasing threat of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, that affect humans and economically important animals, the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory cooperated with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, to develop a biological control program for mosquitoes breeding in standing freshwater. Copepods, which are nearly microscopic crustaceans, are efficient mosquito larvae predators. At the request of the NJDEP Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, the Division of Plant Industry Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Rearing Laboratory established cultures of various native species of copepods, and evaluated procedures for mass-production.
Throughout 2005 the Alampi Laboratory collected and established cultures of copepod species native to New Jersey and thought to be of value for inclusion in a mosquito biological control program. Having concurrently developed a mass production method for copepods and their associated food organisms and with the intent of starting field trials, the NJDA focused in 2007 on the mass culture of the predatory copepod, Macrocyclops albidus, a species successfully used to control mosquitoes in discarded tires and other containers in subtropical climates.
Having devised a way to collect copepods en masse from their culture medium and dispersing them in the field, the Laboratory established field trials in four counties in cooperation with NJDEP’s Office of Mosquito Control Coordination and the Mosquito Control Commissions of Mercer, Hunterdon, Monmouth, and Morris Counties. The trials yielded particularly valuable information on the logistics of transporting, releasing, and monitoring copepods, and provided unexpectedly encouraging information on the rate with which copepods can build their populations and suppress certain mosquito species in tires. In three of the four counties, there was a decrease in the number of mosquito larvae in the release tires.
REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD
SUMMARY OF 2009 ACTIVITIES
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
Administration Botany CAPS Summary Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Results Entomology Pest Detection and Eradication Activities Nursery/Greenhouse/Dealer Certification Phytosanitary Certification Postentry Quarantine
ADMINISTRATION
The Bureau of Plant Industry of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is organized into 3 divisions. The Agronomic and Regional Services Division (John Breitsman, Chief) includes feed, fertilizer, soil conditioner and lime programs, as well as seed analysis, testing, and certification programs. The Health and Safety Division (Dave Scott, Chief) includes the agromedicine program; farm safety program; Pesticide Advisory Board; pesticide applicator certification, licensing, and training; pesticide environmental programs; pesticide hypersensitivity registry; pesticide product registration; and pesticide enforcement. The Plant Protection Division (the Chief position is currently vacant) oversees plant merchant licensing and plant inspection programs; apiary registration and bee inspection; the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS); the Entomology Laboratory; the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory; the fruit tree improvement program (FTIP) and other special certification programs.
BOTANY
Giant Hogweed Control and Eradication in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania has been controlling and eradicating giant hogweed, a federal noxious weed of limited distribution in Pennsylvania since 1998. Giant hogweed has been discovered in 19 counties at 478 spatially distinct sites since the program began in the state. Of these sites, 65% are under control, inactive and have been or will be released from the program. The remaining sites are under review for release and are monitored each year and will be released once they reach the 3 year inactive mark. Only 49 of the known sites in the state required treatment in 2009 and 6 new sites were discovered. All of the newly confirmed sites had not been previously listed and/or were not releases from previously identified sites. This information supports the states findings that an effective eradication of giant hogweed from infested sites can occur after 3 consecutive years or less depending on the seed bank. Herbicide trials in 2007, 2008 and 2009 at three different locations in Pennsylvania confirmed the effectiveness of triclopyr (Garlon 3A) and aminopyralid (Milestone VM) separate and in combination. Pennsylvania will continue to use triclopyr at 5% v/v or 2.5% v/v (determined by plant size) with 0.156% v/v aminopyralid or aminopyralid alone at equivalent. The 2010 giant hogweed program will target the remaining active sites and continue monitoring sites that are scheduled for release.
Pilot Kudzu Eradication Program in Pennsylvania: Fourth Year Summary: Pennsylvania began a pilot kudzu eradication program in 2005. Kudzu is a state noxious weed in Pennsylvania and all known sites in the state are surveyed and monitored. Kudzu is found in Zone 6 of the U.S. National Arboretum Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 13 counties in the state. PDA has confirmed 142 properties have 91 spatially distinct populations of Kudzu as of November 13, 2009. Since 2005, treatments have occurred on 138 properties the majority of which are treated by PDA in the 3 Year pilot program. The majority of enrolled sites are less than a half an acre in size (small sites) but 3 sites greater than 2 acres (large sites) are also part of the pilot program. Enrolled sites are targeted for complete above ground biomass destruction within 3 consecutive years by treatments applied by the Bureau of Plant Industry followed by seed bank monitoring and treatments as needed. Technical assistance and training is also provided to enable property owners to monitor and effectively manage the seed bank after the program ends. Three types of treatment applications are used in the program that begins in the spring and ends with the onset of frost: high volume foliar, low volume foliar and cut stump/basal bark. Herbicides used in the program since 2000 include aminopyralid, clopyralid, imazapyr, metsulfuron and triclopyr. Clopyralid (Transline) is the base program. With the exception of the treated sites, all known sites of kudzu in Pennsylvania are flowering and producing viable seed on an annual basis and seed production at many locations has been documented since the 1980’s. Most, but not all of the kudzu sites in Pennsylvania are more than 30 years old if not decades older and were purposely planted for soil stabilization purposes. The program has successfully killed the crowns at all of the small sites and in the portions of the large sites that could be treated. Many of the sites enrolled in 2005 are completely dead but an active seed bank requires continued monitoring. Seed bank germination has occurred at all treated sites the year after treatment but all treated sites have significantly less seed bank germination each consecutive year thereafter.
Discovery of Significant Infestation of Goatsrue in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Galega officinalis, commonly called goatsrue, is a member of the Legume family (Fabaceae) and is native to southern Europe and western Asia. Historically, it has been a popular garden plant in both Europe and the United States. Goatsrue was introduced to the western United States in the late 1800s as a possible forage crop. Both the leaves and stems of the plants were later shown to contain a poisonous alkaloid called galegin, making it unpalatable to livestock. Feeding trials proved that ingesting plants could kill both sheep and cattle. This plant is also highly invasive in riparian areas. In 1980, it was designated a federal noxious weed and was declared a Pennsylvania Noxious Weed in 2000. In Pennsylvania, the species was targeted for eradication after confirmation of its presence in a few isolated non-cropland locations. Four known populations were discovered prior to 1993 in roadside ditches located in McKean County, while another important location dates back to the 1950’s at the Morris Arboretum in Montgomery County. During the summer of 2009, the problem in McKean County increased in importance when it was discovered that the infestation was not only in noncropland, but invading into cropland (hay) that involved multiple municipalities and private and public land owners. This new discovery resulted in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and with the continued support of the USDA-APHIS PPQ to launch an early detection/rapid response (EDRR) program in McKean County. The objective of the EDRR program is to isolate, control and limit further spread of this noxious weed into cultivated cropland in McKean County and to restrict pathways of dispersal out of the infested geographical area.
Mile-A-Minute Control Project in Sinnemahoning Valley – A Cooperative Weed Management Area: In 2004 mile a minute vine was detected growing in the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek Valley in Sinnemahoning State Park and surrounding areas in Grove Township, Cameron County and Wharton Township, Potter County. A multi agency task force, lead by Melissa Bravo was created and grid surveys were conducted in order to determine the extent of the infestation in the region during 2005 and 2006. In 2007 Sinnemahoning State Park received funding to begin treating mile a minute vine within the park boundaries. Their efforts continued through 2008. In 2008 the Department of Agriculture received a grant from the United States Forest Service to assist property owners with treatment of mile a minute vine on private lands outside Sinnemahoning State Park. With this grant the Department hired Jim Zoschg as a seasonal technician to work with private landowners during 2008. With this grant the Department hired a seasonal technician to work with private landowners during 2008 and 2009. A collaborate Cooperative Weed Management Area was formed in 2008 that is targeting mile a minute vine and other noxious and invasive species of limited distribution in this region of the state.
The Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS) Noxious and Invasive Vegetation Short Course: The Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS) Noxious and Invasive Vegetation Short Course (NIVM) was held for the second year in Pennsylvania and co-hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State University. Weed management professionals affiliated with NEWSS instruct and staff the course. This course has evolved to meet the demand and need for training and instruction of professionals involved in the administration or implementation of invasive plant management in the Northeastern United States. This course is designed for public and private land managers (parks, conservancies, preserves, forests, private parcels and farms) from Maine to North Carolina who desire a better understanding of non-cropland weed management. A huge success in 2008, the course expanded in 2009 to include even more topics. Classroom, laboratory and field exercises are utilized and the course is designed to encourage interaction between students and instructors. This year’s course also offered different workshops for novice and advance applicators. Funded by a grant from the USFS, the two year program has trained more than 100 land managers in the Northeast on invasive and noxious weed identification and control, early detection/rapid response, survey and inventory, herbicide chemistry and environmental fate, pesticide regulatory information such as PPE wear, mechanical tool and environmental safety training, herbicide labels and toxicology studies, hands on sprayer calibration and application techniques, as well as weed management/best management scenarios for some of the most problematic invasive vegetation in our region.
Noxious Weed and Invasive Vegetation Complaints fielded in 2009: In addition to the three noxious weed management programs ongoing in the state, the Bureau of Plant Industry, Botany/Weed Science office also handles all noxious weed and invasive plant complaints as well as poisonous plant concerns received by the Department of Agriculture. During the growing season, the office fields dozens of complaints per month for Canada thistle, multiflora rose, johnsongrass, purple loosestrife and mile-a- minute. 99% of the Noxious Weed Control Act Complaints received are handled via communications to the violating party without issuance of a noxious weed order. Outreach and education is provided for non-regulatory invasive species complaints. In 2009, the Department received noxious and invasive complaints against 1) individual landowners for Canada and Bull thistles, Japanese bamboo, Johnsongrass, CREP violations, and 2) petitions to force townships to enforce Canada thistle control; Japanese bamboo control; and 3) the Department issued NWCO to restricting the movement of aggregate infested with goatsrue within and out of McKean County.
COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURE PEST SURVEY (CAPS) SUMMARY
Ralstonia Blight, Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2: Ralstonia blight continues to be a concern to PA geranium growers and to the Bureau of Plant Industry officials. In addition, this pathogen is still listed as a “select agent” of concern for agro-terrorism. Plant inspectors conducted a monitoring survey for Ralstonia during their routine inspection of plant merchants between February and September 2009. Symptomatic plants were collected and analyzed at PDA’s PDDL. No Ralstonia was detected this year.
Nematodes of Regulatory Concern in Potato: A number of nematodes parasitizing potato are of regulatory concern both nationally and to PA. The golden nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) and the pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) are pests specific to plants in the Solanaceae family whereas Columbia root knot nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) and the false root knot nematode (Meloidogyne fallax) parasitize the same crops in addition to cereal crops. None of these 4 pests have ever been detected in PA. Sampling of soil from commercial potato acreage focused on 23 PA counties this year. Certified seed potato acreage in Potter and Erie counties was also included in the survey. Sampling procedures conformed to those adopted by the CAPS National Guidelines, as modified from the USDA Protocol for Nationwide Golden Nematode Survey. Over 300 samples were taken from 155 separate fields. All samples were processed at the PA Department of Agriculture Diagnostic Laboratory, Harrisburg, PA. For Globodera spp. sample processing by elutriation is being conducted. Extracted cysts were screened for round cysts by dissecting/light microscopy. Laboratory analysis is expected to be complete by April 30, 2009. So far no Globodera has been detected. Sample processing for Meloidogyne spp. was conducted by greenhouse bioassay with oats and pepper. Only M. hapla was found.
Other Pest Surveys
Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines: Laboratory processing is complete for soil samples collected as part of the 2009 soybean cyst nematode (SCN) survey. The goal of this yearly survey is to learn whether this pest of regulatory concern has been introduced into new parts of the state or whether it is expanding its presence in Lancaster County. Sample analysis was conducted in the greenhouse by a differential bioassay of resistant and susceptible soybean seedlings. No SCN were found in any of the 254 soil samples collected. The survey included 127 fields in 18 counties targeting the top ten soybean-growing counties and eight counties designated by plant inspectors to facilitate the export of agricultural products. Earl Flack conducts this project with the help of seasonal employees funded through our PPQ federal partners.
Cereal Rust: A field survey was conducted to detect and identify rust diseases of small grains. In June, 30 barley and wheat fields were scouted in 7 south central and eastern counties where the most acreage is planted. Leaf rust was found in almost all the fields although the incidence of disease was minimal. Samples of leaves with rust were collected and forwarded to the Agricultural Research Service Cereal Rust Laboratory in Minnesota to be analyzed for rust pathogen race- typing. This program is conducted by regulatory and academic teams nationwide as an early warning system to detect new and more virulent types of rust which could significantly damage current susceptible grain varieties.
Karnal Bunt (KB), Tilletia (Neovossia) indica: KB is a fungal disease of wheat, durum wheat, triticale, and rye. Due to its regulatory significance on the national level, APHIS initiated the Karnal Bunt National Survey in 1996 to facilitate grain export. During 2009, 4 samples taken from PA grain/feed mills in Berks, Chester, Dauphin, and Lancaster Counties were forwarded to an approved laboratory and tested for bunted kernels. No KB was detected
DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY RESULTS
In 2009, the Division of Plant Protection processed a total of 1,522 regular samples (183 insects, 1,393 biotic and abiotic diseases), which were primarily submitted by the Bureau of Plant Industry Plant Inspectors who collect suspect plant material from licensed plant merchants. Among the 1,393 samples examined by plant pathology staff, a disease agent was identified in 776 samples. Of the samples in which a plant pathogen was identified, fungal pathogens were identified in 61%, bacteria 9%, viruses 19%, and nematodes 1% (Table 1). Of special concern were the detections of Chrysanthemum White Rust (a federal quarantine pest), Late Blight of potato and tomato, and the re-emergence of Xanthomonas blight (a state stop-sale pest) of geranium.
Table 1. Number of samples processed in the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, 1990-2009.
Year Total Fungi Bacteria Virus Nematode Other 1990 2895 565 18 597 113 1602 1991 2433 435 73 381 85 1459
1992 2035 554 82 313 21 1065 1993 2089 454 214 327 17 1077
1994 2211 631 99 363 23 1095
1995 2310 693 111 388 7 1111 1996 2263 799 104 384 27 949
1997 2433 792 75 413 37 1116 1998 2301 589 84 448 77 1103
1999 2123 401 159 302 10 1251 2000 2279 608 177 314 34 1146
2001 2251 772 99 270 61 1049 2002 1648 598 99 266 60 625
2003 1881 676 114 169 65 857
2004 1971 630 60 221 46 1014
2005 1952 490 38 213 14 1197
2006 1219 460 35 106 15 603
2007 1802 498 64 229 9 1002
2008 1505 418 91 145 1 850 2009 1522 476 68 146 6 826
3500 3000
2500 2000
1500 1000
500
Number of Samples Collected 0
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 Year
Fig. 3. Number of samples processed in the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory per year
Vegetable Transplant Inspection:
Plant Inspectors of the PA Department of Agriculture did not receive any field-grown vegetable transplants during the past six years (Table 2). No major bacterial pathogens were detected as a result of Transplant Inspection Program in 2009. Number of transplants inspected has declined since 1986.
Table 2. Number of vegetable transplants inspected, 1986-2008.
Number of vegetable plants inspected, millions
Year Field grown Soil-less media grown Total 1986 21.32 19.43 40.75
1987 17.99 19.35 37.34 1988 16.99 14.1 31.10
1989 11.38 19.11 30.49
1990 7.57 26.85 34.42 1991 6.92 16.31 23.24
1992 4.49 15.36 19.85 1993 2.45 14.65 17.10
1994 3.01 14.94 17.96 1995 1.75 17.35 19.10
1996 0.93 20.72 21.65 1997 0.54 20.51 21.06
1998 0.7 17.33 18.04
1999 1.03 23.58 24.61 2000 1.54 17.08 18.62
2001 1.42 14.58 16.00 2002 0.83 13.16 14.00
2003 .21 14.72 14.93 2004 0 10.67 10.67
2005 0 9.22 9.22 2006 0 8.3 8.3
2007 0 11.3 11.3 2008 0 5.9 5.9
2009 0 6.5 6.5
45 40 35 30 25 20
15
10 Inspected (millions) 5 Number ofVegetable Plants 0
1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 Year
Fig. 4. Number of vegetable transplants inspected per year
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Actions to the 2009 Late Blight: In 2009, late blight on tomato and potato plants, caused by Phytophthora infestans, appeared in June (earlier than in previous years) and was detected among samples from homeowners, private fresh-market tomato and potato farms, and big box retail markets. Under the Pennsylvania Plant Pest Act, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) routinely inspected tomato plants at retail locations and production greenhouses. PDA inspectors issued Stop-Sale and treatment or destruct orders for any infected plants being offered for sale. PDA additionally inspected incoming out-of-state grown vegetable transplants. No symptoms of late blight was detected on 6.5 million incoming tomato transplants inspected between May-June, 2009. By September 2009, the Pennsylvania State University and PDA had identified late blight in 58% of PA counties.
Change of Phytophthora infestans Genotype (Late Blight causal agent): The genotypes of Phytophthora infestans (US-8 >US-17>US-15 on tomato and US-8>US-14>US-7>US-10>US-17 on potato) that occurred between 1994 and 2004 have changed from predominantly mefonoxam resistant to sensitive. Between 2004 and 2006, two genotypes were identified: US-14 (gpi 100/122; pep 100/100; A2; mefonoxam-sensitive) on tomato and potato, and US-13 (gpi 100/100; pep 100/100; A2; mefonoxam-sensitive) on tomato plants. In March 2010, PDA launched late blight inspection services in response to the 2009 late blight outbreaks.
First Report of Bacterial Spot of Tomato Caused by Xanthomonas gardneri in Pennsylvania: Recent investigation of bacteria isolated from samples submitted to the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture indicated that Xanthomonas gardneri (ex Sutic 1957) caused bacterial leaf spot on tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). To our knowledge, this is the first report of bacterial spot on tomato plants caused by X. gardneri in Pennsylvania and the United States. Since the first occurrence in 1995, bacterial spot caused by X. gardneri reoccurred in Pennsylvania tomato fields in 2001 and consecutively from 2003 to 2009 (S. H. Kim, et al. 2009. Plant Dis. 94:0000. In Press).
Ralstonia Bacterial Wilt, Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2: Ralstonia bacterial wilt of geranium, Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2 (RsB2R3) continued to be a concern to geranium, potato, and tomato industries and to agricultural biosecurity. PDA detected RsB2R3 in 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2003 (S. H. Kim. 2003. Plant Disease 87:450). RsB2R3 and Xanthomonas pelargonii, both cause bacterial wilt symptoms and are freed through the culture indexing propagation process. Thus, geraniums available since 2004 in the U.S. should be free of both pathogens. Although RsB2R3 has not been detected since 2004, Xanthomonas pelargonii resurfaced in 2007 and remained present in the following years (Fig. 1 & 2).
500 90
450 80
400 70
350 60
300 50
250 40
200 30 150 20 100
Geraniums sampled 10 Geraniums sampled 50 0 0 1999 2002 2005 2008 1999 2002 2005 2008 Year s Years RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM XANTHOMONAS PELARGONII
Fig. 1. Number of geraniums submitted to PDA Plant Fig. 2. Occurrence of Ralstonia solanacearum and Disease Diagnostic lab. Xanthomonas pelargonii
Bacterial Blight of Geraniums: Bacteria Blight of geraniums has been a chronic disease, however, the occurrence of its causal organism, Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii (Xcp), was not found in propagation areas in 2005 and 2006(Table 3). Lack of Bacterial Blight of Geraniums in propagation areas may indicate that a thorough Culture-Indexing program against Ralstonia solanacearum Biovar 2, the listed pathogen for the Agriculture Bioterrorism Act 2002, might have helped to remove Xcp (The Culture-Indexing process excludes both bacteria).
Table 3. Number of geranium samples with bacterial blight, Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii, 1988-2007. Number samples Number samples with Year with Xcp Year Xcp 1988 0 1999 83 1989 7 2000 82 1990 4 2001 45 1991 50 2002 3 1992 33 2003 2 1993 110 2004 2 1994 45 2005 0 1995 40 2006 0 1996 42 2007 23 1997 11 2008 15 1998 22 2009 9
Sudden Oak Death Survey: Phytophthora ramorum (causal agent of Sudden Oak Death) was not found in 2004, 2006, or 2009 in Pennsylvania (Fig. 5 & 6). Bait samples, rhododendron leaves deployed and retrieved from PA forest streams in 2006-2009, submitted by DCNR to the PDA were free of P. ramorum.
1200 5
1000 4 800 3 600 2
400 samples
200 1
0
Number of Samples Collected 0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Number of ramorum P. positive 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Year Year
Fig. 5. Number of samples collected each year for Sudden Fig. 6. Number of P. ramorum positive samples per year Oak Death survey
Chrysanthemum White Rust: Chrysanthemum White Rust (CWR) reached an epidemic proportion in PA in 2009 (Fig. 7 ). The disease was detected at residential properties in 2008 and 2009 in PA. CWR became a newly emerging disease in recent years, 2004 -2009 (Fig. 7).
120
100
80
60
40
Number of Samples 20
0
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Year Chrysanthemum Samples Samples with Chrysanthemum White Rust ( Puccinia horiana)
Fig. 7. Number of Chrysanthemums sampled and number of Chrysanthemums infected with White Rust
Virology diagnostic laboratory samples from licensed nurseries and dealers: The virology laboratory processed 295 plant samples from greenhouse, nursery, and miscellaneous crop situations, submitted in large part by PDA Plant Inspectors. Virus was detected in 146 of the 295 diagnostic samples: 70 were infected with impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), 38 had other viruses that we identified to genus or specific virus (including two double and one triple infection), and 38 had viruses we were unable to classify.
Excluding INSV, a total of 9 other viruses were detected and identified to the group/genus or specific virus level. These viruses were arabis mosaic virus, hosta virus X, pelargonium flower break virus, potato virus Y, potyvirus, tobamovirus, tobacco rattle virus, tobacco streak virus, and tomato spotted wilt virus. All of these viruses were identified by ELISA or by ELISA in conjunction with bioassay.
PVY-ntn: In 2008, we reported on the first PVY-ntn potato sample ever received from a commercial tablestock grower in Pennsylvania. In 2009, several more potato samples were submitted that displayed necrotic ring symptoms externally and internally, and were confirmed positive for potato virus Y by ELISA, also producing necrotic symptoms on tobacco in a bioassay. Although other strains of PVY are common in Pennsylvania, tuber- necrosis strains had not been present previously, but appear to be moving in.
Fruit Tree Improvement Program: The Fruit Tree Improvement Program (FTIP) provides specialized virus inspection and testing services for participating Pennsylvania fruit tree nurseries. A total of 6,479 Prunus samples were processed through the FTIP laboratory this year, including samples from 1,071 trees in a registered budwood production block, 1,526 trees in registered seed blocks, and 1,257 composite samples from nursery blocks. Material was tested for prunus necrotic ringspot (PNRSV), prune dwarf virus (PDV), tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) and plum pox virus (PPV). A total of 2,625 potential unregistered budwood source tree samples were submitted for testing. In addition, weed and soil samples were collected and tested, to monitor for tomato ringspot and its vector nematodes.
Results: o FTIP Certification Requirements Met: Registered blocks and nursery production blocks were found in thrifty growing condition, with no obvious signs of virus infection. They met all virus-testing requirements for FTIP certification. o Plum Pox Virus: No PPV was detected in 2009, in nursery-related samples or in any other samples taken from the Commonwealth. o Tomato Ringspot Virus: No ToRSV was detected in nursery production blocks or in registered source blocks. Several common source trees were identified as ToRSV-positive. Presumably, these trees were avoided when selecting source wood for nursery propagation. o PNRSV and PDV: These two viruses remain the most commonly found viruses in Prunus in Pennsylvania, although finds in registered blocks and nursery production blocks are rare. o Dagger nematodes: Xiphenema sp. were present at very low but detectable levels in registered blocks and nursery production blocks. Their presence makes broadleaf weed control extremely important, to prevent introduction of tomato rinsgspot virus into the production scheme.
Plum Pox Virus Survey and Eradication Program:
Ten years have passed since the discovery of Plum Pox Virus in Pennsylvania in September of 1999 – ten years of intensive survey and eradication effort. We are pleased to report that no virus has been found in the past three years of survey, fulfilling the requirements necessary to declare eradication of plum pox virus from Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth will now move to a much less intensive monitoring phase in our survey program.
In 2009, joint USDA/PDA survey in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania generated a total of 226,534 laboratory (ELISA) samples, with no PPV detections. This is the third year of all negative PPV data for the Commonwealth.
Samples collected included commercial orchard trees (209,841), residential property trees and shrubs (10,843), nursery and budwood source trees (5,732), sentinel and wild trees (118). The majority of these samples were collected in a 25-mile radius area that encompassed every part of the state in which positives had ever been found, but sampling did extend beyond that area to include commercial orchard samples from 10 counties as well as samples from PA nursery operations moved to adjoining states.
In addition to running all 226,534 samples in ELISA, a subset was tested using the more sensitive real time RT- PCR test. A total of 1,413 samples have been tested using this protocol, with no positive results.
No non-Prunus positives have been detected in the field, after extensive survey by Penn State University scientists, although non-Prunus has been successfully aphid-inoculated with Pennsylvania PPV isolates under experimental conditions (PSU/ARS research under appropriate containment).
Four-County Sample Numbers by Year (Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties)
Orchard Homeowner Other Total Total Year Samples Samples Samples Samples Positives % Positive 2000 51,429 547 586 52,562 399 0.776
2001 80,012 5,556 1,326 86,894 27 0.034
2002 90,388 15,748 1,913 108,049 7 0.008
2003 155,970 36,530 6,845 199,345 11 0.006
2004 166,306 42,730 2,059 211,095 4 0.002
2005 213,005 51,158 3,280 267,443 5 0.002
2006 166,568 45,702 4,418 216,688 6 0.002
2007 173,180 44,295 2,689 220,164 0 0
2008 218,198 10,230 2,634 231,062 0 0
2009 204,251 10,843 264 215,358 0 0
This survey season marked the third year of all negative survey data in the Commonwealth. As of October 29, 2009, all PPV quarantine restrictions for commercial orchards and residential properties within Pennsylvania will have been removed. A limited nursery quarantine will remain in place during a 3-year monitoring phase of the plum pox program. The nursery quarantine does not affect the sale of Prunus from retail sites that buy-in their nursery stock, but propagation or long-term grow-out of Prunus is prohibited. This nursery quarantine provides further assurance to buyers of Pennsylvania nursery stock that the stock is safe to plant, that no hidden PPV infection will introduce the virus to new areas through the movement of infected nursery stock.
Total PA orchard acreage removed since the beginning of the program stands at 1,675 acres, unchanged from 2006.
ENTOMOLOGY PEST DETECTION AND ERADICATION ACTIVITIES
Several pest survey programs were conducted in Pennsylvania in 2009. In addition to PDA plant inspectors, 20 two-person seasonal surveys crews were employed to conduct pest surveys in select counties. In all cases, regardless of the survey program, survey crews were instructed to submit all specimens of Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Siricidae, Pentatomoidea, Membracidae, and Scolytinae. These target groups were identified to species whenever possible, and associated data were collected and are stored on Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Entomology servers. Data specific to various surveys were extracted and provided to fulfill cooperative pest survey agreements.
2009 PENNSYLVANIA EMERALD ASH BORER SURVEY RESULTS
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES MIFFLIN COUNTY
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Prior to 2009 EAB was known from four Pennsylvania Counties: Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, and Mercer. Outreach efforts lead to the discovery of a new infestation in Mifflin, County in central Pennsylvania in February of 2009. Subsequent visual and destructive surveys indicated that the infestation encompassed several square miles and was well established. EAB was then detected in March in Lawrence County, in western Pennsylvania. Lawrence County had been under quarantine since 2007, due to the fact that it was surrounded by positive counties. In May, 20 seasonal field crews started deployment of purple panel glue traps as part of the National EAB Cooperative Survey program. Crews were instructed to place one trap per one and one half mile grid in select western Pennsylvania Counties, and five traps per county at high risk sites in eastern Pennsylvania. Crews deployed over 4,000 traps, and submitted just over 6,000 samples to the PDA Entomology Laboratory in 2009. Two counties recorded positives for EAB from survey crews doing visual and sweep net sampling to augment their trapping, Westmoreland and Indiana. Westmoreland County later recorded several more positives on purple traps. Washington and Armstrong Counties both recorded their first positive EAB detections on purple panel traps. Survey crews completed their EAB trapping requirement by the end of August, having increased the total number of positive EAB counties to 10. In late October, permanent PDA staff members were returning from the National EAB research forum in Pittsburgh when they detoured to Mifflin County to retrieve some trapping equipment. A chance encounter yielded the detection of EAB in neighboring Juniata County, adjacent to the Mifflin County infestation. That final detection for 2009 brings the total of known infested EAB counties in Pennsylvania to 11, all of which are under quarantine. Additional grid and high risk site surveys are planned for 2010.
Sirex noctilio: A trapping project for Sirex noctilio was conducted in Pennsylvania in 2007 in response to detections in Tioga and Bradford counties in 2006. PDA, PA Bureau of Forestry, and USDA-APHIS-PPQ personnel placed and monitored some 700 Lindgren funnel traps singly in 5 x 5 mile grids spanning centrally across Pennsylvania from May through September. Additional trapping was implemented in non-infested northern Pennsylvania counties by PDA and the USDA Forest Service. Trapping detected the presence of Sirex noctilio in four new counties in 2007: Elk, Erie, McKean, and Monroe. PDA efforts to trap for Sirex noctilio in 2008 were unsuccessful; however a cooperating agency detected Sirex noctilio in one new County (Potter County) in 2008. No survey specific to Sirex noctilio was carried out by PDA in 2009, although all survey samples were screened for Siricidae and data was recorded. A cooperating agency (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) recorded Sirex noctilio in one new county (Sullivan, County) in 2009. At this time, Sirex noctilio is known from eight Pennsylvania counties. PDA will participate in Sirex noctilio surveys in 2010.
Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB): Only a few public reports for ALB were investigated in 2009, which were all negative. PDA tested traps and lures designed to capture ALB and exotic Cerambycidae in general in 2009. In eastern counties several traps (some baited with plant volatiles and some with male EAB pheromone) were deployed. These traps yielded no ALB. Traps were also deployed with general Cerambycidae lures, and although these captured no ALB, many Cerambycidae, Scolytinae, and Bostrichidae were captured (See trap results table). Late in 2009, special funding was received to perform visual ALB surveillance at four sites in two high risk areas. Based on available risk maps sites two one eighth sites were established near Allentown in eastern Pennsylvania, one was established in Harrisburg, and one near Carlisle. Visual surveys of all host trees at these sites were completed by November of 2009, with no ALB being detected.
Exotic Wood Boring Beetles (EWBB): Due to the recent detections of the Scolytus schevyrewi (Banded Elm Bark Beetle) and other invasive bark beetles in PA, PDA staff deployed Lindgren funnel traps baited with EtOH, and multistiatus lure at several sites across the commonwealth in 2009. PDA also participated in the US Forest Service Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) survey in 2009. Visual surveys for other target wood destroying beetles were also carried out at high risk sites. In general sites for these surveys were conducted a declining wood lots adjacent to heavy industry, major shipping hubs, or nurseries with high out-of-state inventory. One new record of Banded Elm Bark Beetle was detected in 2009 in Cumberland County. Three counties (Cumberland, Dauphin, and York) saw detections of Scolytus fagi, a native bark beetle not previously known to exist in Pennsylvania, and one county (Lebanon) saw a detection of Ambrosiodmus obliquus, another bark beetle not previously known to exist in Pennsylvania. Anisandrus (formerly Xyleborous) maiche, an ambrosia beetle that was new to North America in 2006 when it was detected in Allegheny County was detected in two new counties (Fayette and Greene) in 2009, but not as part of these surveys. These detections were amongst the by-catch of the general Cerambycidae traps. Visual surveys for targeted wood destroying pest yielded all negative results.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB): PDA workers, surveys, and complaints from the general public continue to add new counties to the list of counties known to be infested with BMSB Pennsylvania. In all BMSB has now been detected in 34 Pennsylvania Counties. BMSB was picked up by a purple panel trap deployed for EAB surveillance in one new county (Fayette) in 2009.
Viburnum Leaf Beetle (VLB): No formal survey was conducted for this pest in 2009, but plant inspectors continue to screen for Viburnum Leaf Beetle. Three new counties (Allegheny, Blair, and Lehigh) were reported by the general public or cooperative extension in 2009.
Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM): PDA conducted a survey for the light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in 2009. LBAM is native to Australia, and the first occurrence of LBAM in the United States was documented in California in March 2007. This insect has a wide host range including nursery stock, cut flowers, native tree species and food crops. The 2009 survey was carried out by PDA plant inspectors at 14 businesses in 8 counties (Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northampton, and York) that have the potential of receiving plant material shipped from the state of California. Each inspector placed two traps per site. The 28 traps were monitored from July through November 2009. Some 230 trap samples were submitted to the PDA entomology laboratory. Out of the samples received, two contained suspect specimens that were sent for further screening. Both were determined to be negative. All specimens received from the survey in 2009 were negative. PDA has no planned survey for LBAM in 2010, but a cooperator (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) will conduct a limited survey in orchards throughout the state.
Western Bean Cutworm: Western bean cutworm is a moth native to North America, but historically limited in range to the central part of the country. This pest of dry beans and corn started rapidly expanding its range over the last several years and was known as far east as Ohio and Ontario by 2008, but not yet from Pennsylvania. Dr. John Tooker, an entomologist from Penn State University asked for PDA's assistance in surveying for this pest in 2009. PDA survey crews, along with PSU cooperative extension personnel trapped 93 moths in Pennsylvania in 2009 in 13 different counties.
Other Pests of Note in 2009: The Entomology Lab at PDA reported investigated several potentially invasive pest reports in the state in 2009, some resulting in new records for the state.
In December of 2008, a grasshopper was collected from a box of Mexican lettuce at a farmers market in Cumberland County. The specimen was submitted to PDA the first week of February. The grasshopper was identified as Stenacris vitreipennis, (Glassy-winged toothpick grasshopper), which is not known to occur in Pennsylvania. No additional specimens were found.
In May, the head of a major grocery chain quality control section, submitted live samples of beetles found infesting a shipment of bamboo skewers from china. The beetles were identified as the beetle Dinoderus minutus, a comonly intercepted Bostrichid. The entire shipment was refused and returned to its point of origen.
In June, a PDA plant inspector submitted samples of dead adult and larval cerambycids that were obtained from bamboo steaks that were producing frass in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Though dead, the specimens were identified as Chlorophorus annularis, the bamboo borer. An additional inspection of steaks from the shipment yielded no additional specimens. Apparently the bamboo steaks had received fumigation for the infestation prior to importation.
In September, a kitchen cabinet manufacturer contacted PDA about infested pallets that originated in Viet Nam. The pallets did contain and active infestation of three types of Bostrichid beetle, Hetrobostrichus aequalis, Synoxylon anale, and Minthea rugicollis. The diagnosis was of concern to the manufacturer, who as a precaution is now requiring plastic pallets for all of their products that originate internationally.
In October PDA was contacted by a tool manufacturing facility in Cumberland County, who was reporting an infested shipment of painted Tauari wood broom handles from Brazil. Several live specimens were recovered, and were identified as the Bostrichid beetle Lyctus brunneus. PDA was given a plant tour, where it was discovered that the facility imports a good supply of ash billets. Though the billets pose a small risk, we were also shown a stack of ash slab wood that often accompanies shipments as dunnage. It had been standard practice for this facility to sell this to local farms as firewood. The facility has agreed to immediately destroy any slab wood with bark, and to record the addresses of future end users.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2009 PEST SURVEY SUMMARY RESULTS
EAB USFS EDRR HANKS- OAK-MAPLE ALB-NEHME CERAMBYCIDAE (PPT /VISUAL (LINDGREN, 3 TRAPS, (PPT in OAK or (INTERCEPT, 5 TRAPS, /DESTRUCTIVE /SWEEP IPS, Alpha/EtOH, MAPLE) 3 PLANT VOLATILES, (LINDGREN, 3 Traps, 3 NETS-ASH) EtOH-MIXED FOREST) 1 MALE PHEROMONE, COMPOUNDS- MIXED FOREST) 1 CONTROL- IN MAPLE)
SITES 4072 9 27 42 8 TOTAL TRAPS 4072 27 81 42 40 BUPRESTIDAE RECORDS 2348 8 30 34 8 SPECIMENS 3823 9 31 42 9 GENERA 14 2 7 5 2 SPECIES 54+ 6+ 13+ 7+ 4 CERAMBYCIDAE RECORDS 1171 152 545 32 65 SPECIMENS 1353 218 785 37 73 GENERA 57 40 58 15 26 SPECIES 86 48 78 18 27 CURCULIONIDAE SCOLYTINAE RECORDS 25 1119 688 N/A 39 SPECIMENS 26 7791 3683 N/A 55 GENERA 14 35 31 N/A 14 SPECIES 14 58+ 50+ N/A 18+ PENTATOMIDAE RECORDS 1129 27 27 2 25 SPECIMENS 1406 28 29 2 26 GENERA 12 8 7 2 8 SPECIES 17 10 9 2 8
INTERESTING FACTS:
- 879 BOSTRICHIDAE: Xylobiops basilaris captures in Hanks Traps (810 with Lure 2)
- BUPRESTIDAE: Specific High Species Counts for EAB Survey
- Agrilus planipennis: 56 - Agrilus anxius: 848 - Agrilus bilineatus: 1398
- Chrysobothris femorata: 536+ - Chrysobothris sexsiganata: 978
- CURCULIONIDAE: Anisandrus maiche captured in 2 new counties with Hanks traps
- PENTATOMIDAE: Halyomorpha halys captured in one new county on PPT
+ Indicates Generic Level IDs which may add to totals
Apiary Inspection Program
The value of the apiary industry in Pa in 2009 was estimated at over $76 million, the vast majority (97%) of which resulted from increased yields in crops that completely or partially depend on honeybees for pollination. Despite winter losses of 40.5%, there was a 1.19% increase in the number of new and registered beekeepers from 2008 to 2009. Under the supervision of the acting state apiarist, seven seasonal inspectors worked reduced hours from mid-May to the end of September 2009. Of the 40,135 colonies contained in 3,908 registered apiaries, 4804 colonies in 690 apiaries were inspected. In all, 437 of the 2,530 registered beekeepers in the state had their apiaries inspected. (In 2008, nine fulltime seasonal apiary inspectors inspected 8918 colonies in 1597 apiaries owned by 933 beekeepers.)
Honey Bee Diseases and Pests The incidence of disease discovered in apiaries in 2009 is summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: Incidence of Honey Bee Diseases
2009 Colonies Infected
Disease Number of Colonies Percentage
American Foulbrood 51 1.06
European Foulbrood 11 0.23
Chalkbrood 239 4.98
Sac brood 61 1.27
AFB, American Foulbrood, a highly contagious disease, was detected at the lowest rate in more than 50 years of survey. This decline is the result of focused efforts over the last five years. All suspect cases of American foulbrood were submitted to the PDA laboratory for confirmation, and screening for Oxytetracycline HCL resistance. There were 21 (45%) samples which were resistant. (Compared to 69 (51%) in 2008.)
Reports of queen failure have continued to escalate in recent years. We continue to investigate this and track it as part of inspections.
Varroa mites were found throughout the state and mites resistant to Fluvalinate and Coumaphos were documented using the Pettis resistance test. Dual resistant mites have also been documented. This underscores the need for alternative mite control products or IPM practices. Standardized mite monitoring techniques were implemented in order to better provide beekeepers with treatment recommendations. Exponential mite growth was observed over the inspection season, a fact that supports the recommendation that beekeepers should implement a monthly mite-monitoring scheme to ensure economic thresholds are not surpassed.
An increased number of small hive beetles were seen in south eastern Pennsylvania apiaries.
Permits Issued Permits to move honeybee colonies into and out of the state where issued for 9943 colonies. Five queen producers were issued queen-rearing certificates.
Plant Emergency Response Program: Protecting Pennsylvania's Pollinators From Invasive Species This is the third year surveying Pennsylvania’s non-honey bee pollinators. Almost 400 species have been identified. An article will be published soon about this survey.
NURSERY/GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY DEALER CERTIFICATION
During the 2009 inspection/certification year 4783 inspections were conducted (1417 nursery, 1538 greenhouse and 1828 nursery dealer). The number of licensed growers currently totals 2,693. The number of licensed nursery dealers currently totals 5148. Total acres of production equals 232,111.1 with 23,559,858.1 million square feet under glass.
PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATION
Shipments of plant material requiring Phytosanitary Certificates totaled 1398, which required 397 inspections.
POSTENTRY QUARANTINE
One lot of plant material from one country consisting of 209 units were released from postentry quarantine following the appropriate inspections and detention period. Three other lots consisting of 2470 units have completed the required detention period and are pending release.
VERMONT AGENCY OF AGRICULTURE PLANT INDUSTRY SECTION 103 SOUTH MAIN STREET WATERBURY, VT 05671-0101
Emilie Inoue, CAPS Coordinator Alan Graham, Vector Management Timothy Schmalz, State Plant Pathologist Jon P. Turmel, State Entomologist, SPRO
VERMONT REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD Spring 2010
SUMMARY OF THE 2009 ACTIVITIES
Nursery In 2009, there were 651 licensed nurseries, greenhouses and garden centers in the State of Vermont. Survey activities focused on the presence/absence, biology, distribution and education of Emerald Ash Borer. Nursery inspections included visual surveys for signs and symptoms associated with the following survey pest: Scientific Name Common Name Taxonomic Group Major Hosts Agrilus planipennis Emerald ash borer Arthropod Ash trees
A total of 420 nurseries, greenhouses and garden centers were inspected in 2009 (65% of the total number of licensed nurseries). These sites were selected based on data collected as part of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) annual nursery licensing program. Nurseries that are known to deal with large volumes of plant material each year were identified and listed as ‘top priority’ sites to inspect while nurseries dealing with much lower volumes of plant stock were included into the inspection schedule at random. Suspect samples collected in the field during nursery inspections were initially screened by Agency of Agriculture staff (state entomologist, state plant pathologist, SSC); state Forest Protection staff (entomologist, plant pathologist) Additional identification and taxonomic services were provided by USDA APHIS PPQ identifiers.
2 Hotzone/Exotic Bark Beetle Survey
The 2009 Hotzone survey was the 5th consecutive year that the project has taken place in Vermont. 18 ‘high risk’ pathways for 2009 trapping efforts, state and federal agents set traps at these sites in April, 2009. Lindgren funnel traps were used at all locations and several different pheromone lures used as ‘bait’ for target insects. The lures utilized in this survey included Ultra High Release ethanol, Alpha-Pinene and a triple lure specifically targeting exotic bark beetles. Traps were placed in close proximity of target businesses and trap contents were serviced and screened once every two weeks. For some of the target pests, lures are not known to be effective for survey detections, therefore, visual observations in the immediate vicinity around traps were made for these targets. Host trees of target pests were inspected for signs or symptoms indicating that a target species may be present.
Hotzone/Exotic Bark Beetle Survey Target Pests: SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire) Emerald ash borer Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) (=Anoplophora malasiaca Thompson) Citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis (Motchulsky) Asian longhorned beetle Callidiellum rufipenne (Motchulsky) Lesser Japanese cedar long horned beetle Chlorophorous annularis (Fabricius) Bamboo longhorned beetle Hesperophanes (Trichoferus)campestris (Faldermann) Chinese longhorned beetle Hylurgops (Hylurgus) palliatus(Gyllenhal) Lesser Spruce shoot beetle Hylurgus ligniperda (Fabricius) Red-haired bark beetle, goldenhaired beetle Ips sexdentatus (Boerner) Six-toothed bark beetle Ips typographus (Linneaus) European spruce bark beetle Monochamus alternatus (Hope) Japanese pine sawyer Orthotomicus erosus Mediterranean Pine Engraver Beetle Pityogenes chalcographus (Linnaeus) Six-toothed spruce engraver Sirex noctilio European Woodwasp Tetropium castaneum (Linnaeus) Black spruce longhorned beetle Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius) Brown spruce longhorned beetle Tomicus minor (Hartig) Lesser pine shoot beetle Trypodendron domesticum (Linnaeus) European hardwood ambrosia beetle Xyloborus spp. Xylotrechus spp.
3
4 Oak Commodity Survey
This survey involved a combination of visual surveys, trap trees and baited traps at three sites in Vermont. Pheromone trap target insects included three moths, the summer fruit tortrix (Adoxophyes orana), the light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) and the variegated golden tortrix (Archips xylosteanus) and visual surveys were conducted at each site for oak decline caused by Phytophthora ramorum or P. quercina. Bolts and/or branches of trap trees, felled in 2009, will be reared for the European oak bark beetle, Scolytus intricatus, in 2010.
i. During the 2009 field season, three sites containing declining oaks were surveyed for the summer fruit tortrix (Adoxophyes orana), the light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) and the variegated golden tortrix (Archips xylosteanus). ii. Survey locations included sites in Arlington (Bennington County), Jericho (Chittenden County), and Jamaica (Windham County). iii. Three pheromone wing traps baited with three different lures were deployed at each survey site. iv. Traps were visited every 5 weeks until late August to replace lures and collect insects. v. At each collection period, trap bottoms were removed and transported to our Forest Biology Laboratory for examination. vi. During site visits, trees at each location were observed for symptoms of Sudden Oak Death, caused by Phytophthora ramorum or P. quercina.
No target insects were detected.
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New England Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project
Outreach Activity: Vermont targeted over 30 events (e.g., County Fairs, Farmer’s Markets, Conservation Camps, State Parks, etc…) with outreach material and expertise over the course of the summer. Approximately 3,700 direct impacts were made and there were an estimated 10,000 indirect impacts from outreach material handed out at these events. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture contracted with WCAX Channel 3 News for the production of a 30-second PSA that aired for 6-weeks, 2xdaily beginning in the second week of July and extending through the month of August. From this PSA, an estimated 1.7 million viewer impressions were made on the public. Responses resulting from outreach activity were monitored as closely as possible. When an event took place, two points of contact were made. The first being how much outreach material would be needed for the event; the second would be a follow-up to see how many impressions were created at the event, as well as where we could extend more of our efforts. In combination with these events and the news publicity received, there was a significant increase in inquiries about the project and greater public interest in what individuals could do in their communities to help. With all media coverage, there was a marked increase in the number of calls from members of the general public with questions regarding ALB/EAB and with reports of possible detections. The media was a vital part in getting the word out to the public for this campaign.
Volunteer Training: A total of 22 Train the Trainer (TTT) sessions were organized in over 15 locations around the state. An estimated 561 volunteers from these communities were trained in identification of ALB and EAB, what signs and symptoms they should look for, and what to do if they find detect a potential suspect insect.
Visual Surveys The first forest pest visual survey took place on August 6th, 2009 in Brattleboro, Vermont. Twenty-six volunteers from the VT Agency of Agriculture, VT Forests Parks and Recreation, USDA APHIS PPQ, Conservation Commission, Watershed Alliance, Consulting Foresters, UVM Extension, Local Tree Businesses, Private Foresters, and the trained public participated in this event. Over 2,000 host trees were successfully surveyed. Trees were inspected over the entire Cercassimo Lumber Yard; all of central Brattleboro (Old Ferry Rd., Brattleboro Tree Walk) including Fort Dummer State Park in Guilford; and the industrial section in the north end of town (Ramada and Hampton Inn, Brattleboro Collision Center, Casey Storage, Village Pizza, Allen Lumber, CNS, Fulflex, Hidden Acres Campground). All suspect trees have been re-checked and were deemed free of target pests. The second survey took place on August 12th, 2009 in Burlington, Vermont. 7 Thirty volunteers from the aforementioned agencies participated, including VT Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee, and our PR Representative Kelly Loftus to read the Governor Proclamation. Over 3,406 trees were surveyed during this event.
A campground survey was completed at North Beach Campground; the Old North End (School St. to North Ave., Pearl St. to Manhattan Drive); the McNeil Wood-burning plant; the central location (Pearl St. to King St., Church St. to Waterfront) (Church St. to UVM, Pearl St. to Main St.); and the southern industrial and residential end of town (Pine St. to Flynn Ave) (Flynn Ave. to Rte. 7 including PC and Shaw’s) (Flynn Ave. and including Oakledge Park). No suspect trees were reported.
Firewood Campaign Visitors to State Park campgrounds are being asked to burn any firewood brought from over 50 miles away within 24 hours. Firewood that won’t be burned in that timeframe is collected and exchanged for local wood. As of the week of July 15, the Green Mountain National Forest prohibits bringing out-of-state firewood into the forest, with a result of a $5000 penalty. We are continuing to spread the Don’t Move Firewood message through press releases, brochures, fair exhibits, and a full-page advertisement which appeared in the fall September issue of Northern Woodlands magazine.
Emerald Ash Borer Survey
One hundred and forty purple EAB traps were set throughout 13 counties in Vermont during the month of June, 2009 and taken down in October, 2009. EAB traps were placed in State park campgrounds where traffic from out-of-state travelers is relatively high and a concentration of traps was also set in the northern county of Franklin due to its proximity to the Carignon, Quebec infestation. These high-risk sites hosted up to 4 traps per site. Remaining traps were placed at other targeted high risk sites including ash stands located in close proximity to the USA/Canadian border and metropolitan areas. Traps were baited with a manuka oil lure provided by USDA-APHIS-PPQ and each trap was visited once during late July-early August for maintenance purposes and taken down in late September.
All suspect specimens were brought back to the Agency of Laboratory and analyzed as potential targets. Per the Vermont CAPS agreement, all suspect samples were to be sent to Dr. James Zablotny of USDA-APHIS-PPQ in Michigan. While buprestids and several Agrilus sp. were collected from traps during the 2009 field season, no suspect Agrilus planipennis were identified. With assistance from VT Forests Parks and Recreation and Rick Hoebeke, specimens that were collected from purple traps were identified.
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9 Tabanid collection
Dr. Jeffery Freeman, professor emeritus, Castleton College donated his life long collection of tabanids to the VT Agency of Agriculture-Plant Industry Section. This collection has 2127 pinned specimens representing 6 genera and 71 species.
Genus Species Describer Year Distribution Count Atylotus bicolor (Wiedemann) 1821 VT 2 Atylotus thoracicus (Hine) 1900 VT 5 Chlorotabanus crepuscularis (Bequaert) 1926 SC 8 Chrysops aberrans Philip 1941 VT 34 Chrysops aestuans van der Wulp 1867 VT 3 Chrysops ater Macquart 1850 VT 51 Chrysops atlanticus Pechuman 1949 NJ 5 Chrysops brimleyi Hine 1904 GA 7 Chrysops callidus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 76 Pechuman and Chrysops calvus Teskey 1967 VT 18 Chrysops carbonarius Walker 1848 VT 18 Chrysops cincticornis Walker 1848 VT 39 Chrysops cuclux Whitney 1879 VT 66 Chrysops dawsoni Philip 1959 VT 1 Chrysops dimmocki Hine 1905 NJ 1 Chrysops excitans Walker 1850 VT 35 Chrysops frigidus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 29 Chrysops fuliginosus Wiedemann 1821 GA, CT 4 Chrysops geminatus Wiedemann 1828 VT 87 Chrysops hinei Daecke 1907 CT 3 Chrysops indus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 143 Chrysops lateralis Wiedemann 1828 VT 77 Chrysops macquarti Philip 1961 VT 91 Chrysops mitis Osten Sacken 1875 VT 57 Chrysops moechus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 48 Chrysops montanus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 121 Chrysops niger Macquart 1838 VT 11 Chrysops nigribimbo Whitney 1879 VT 1 Chrysops sackeni Hine 1903 VT 19 Chrysops shermani Hine 1907 VT 76 Chrysops sordidus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 14 Chrysops striatus Osten Sacken 1875 VT 11 Chrysops univattatus Macquart 1855 VT 110 Chrysops venus Philip 1950 VT 13 Chrysops vittatus Wiedemann 1821 VT 148 Hybomitra affinis (Kirby) 1837 VT 18 Hybomitra cincta (Fabricius) 1794 VT 3 Hybomitra epistates (Osten Sacken) 1878 VT 62 Hybomitra illota (Osten Sacken) 1876 VT 14 Hybomitra lasiophthalma (Macquart) 1838 VT,ME, NB, PA, 101 NY Hybomitra lurida (Fallen) 1817 VT 3 Hybomitra microcephala (Osten Sacken) 1876 VT 11 Hybomitra minuscula (Hine) 1907 VT 6
Hybomitra nitidifrons nuda (McDunnough) 1921 VT 15 Hybomitra pechumani Teskey and Thomas 1979 VT 50 Hybomitra sodalis (Williston) 1887 VT 30 Hybomitra trepida (McDunnough) 1921 VT 1 Hybomitra trispila (Wiedemann) 1828 VT 7 Hybomitra typhus (Whitney) 1904 VT 4 Hybomitra zonalis (Kirby) 1837 VT 7 Hybromitra aurilimba (Stone) 1938 VT 10 Hybromitra metabola (McDonnough) synonomized = H. lurida 1 Stonemyia rasta (Loew) 1869 VT 2 Stonemyia tranquilla (Osten Sacken) 1875 VT 21 Tabanus atratus atratus Fabricius 1775 VT, VA, PA 2 Tabanus calens Linnaeus 1758 VT 6 Tabanus catenatus Walker 1848 VT 13 Tabanus conterminus Walker 1850 GA, NJ, MA 5 Tabanus fairchildi Stone 1938 VT 14 Tabanus lineola Fabricius 1794 VT 40 Tabanus marginalis Fabricius 1805 VT 5 Tabanus nigripes Wiedemann 1821 VT 1 Tabanus pumilus Macquart 1838 VT 43 Tabanus quinquevittatus Wiedemann 1821 VT 96 Tabanus reinwardtii Wiedemann 1828 VT 3 Tabanus sackeni Fairchild 1934 VT 56 Tabanus sagax Osten Sacken 1876 VT 4 Tabanus similis Macquart 1850 VT 26 Tabanus superjumertarius Whitney 1879 VT 10 Tabanus trimaculatus Palisot deBeauvois 1806 NJ, Miss 3 Whitneyomyia beatifica (Whitney) 1914 LA 2
specimens 2127 Species 71 Genera 6
2009 Vermont Mosquito Surveillance and Suppression
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture directed state mosquito surveillance and suppression efforts in 2009. We used three types of mosquito traps: CDC light traps, CDC gravid traps, and a new design of resting box trap. This year we trapped mosquitoes in 19 towns, representing 8 out of 14 Vermont counties. These counties included Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor. There were 46 trap locations where we checked over 800 traps. Some gravid trap locations had multiple traps to obtain sufficient numbers of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus (WNV) testing. Each resting box site had 10 boxes set out. One site (Cornwall 0903) had additional resting box traps, representing 4 wood fiber design traps and 4 traditional wooden resting box traps. We used CDC traps to monitor population and species diversity of adult mosquito populations throughout the season. All of the CDC traps were baited with pellet dry ice and Octenol, with the exception of the single volunteer trap site, which used a carbon dioxide tank instead of pellet dry ice. Identification of the adult trap and larval samples is not yet complete. To date the total number of mosquitoes taken in CDC light traps this year is 50,433 mosquitoes, compared with 100,502 mosquitoes last year. This year was very wet and cold with several significant mosquito hatches after summer storm events. Floodplain mosquito species continue to be the dominant mosquito species taken in CDC light trapping. We note here some other interesting observations seen this year. Culiseta melanura numbers were higher this year in Vermont, as well as several other New England states. Ochlerotatus japonicus numbers appear higher than previous years. This species may be better suited for the cooler temperatures observed this summer. Psorophora ferox continues to been seen in greater numbers than years prior to 2008. Another species, Coquillettidia perturbans, has low numbers (411) in CDC light traps identified so far this year.
12 We used gravid traps and resting box traps for EEE and WNV surveillance. All the gravid traps used cow manure and a handful of rabbit pellets as an attractant and were run at least 12 hours overnight. Specimens taken from these traps were mostly Culex restuans/pipiens and all were tested for WNV using PCR. Resting box traps are a passive trap, without an attractant. We tested mosquitoes taken from these traps were tested for WNV, SLE and EEE using VecTest. These traps favored Culiseta and Anopheles mosquitoes, known vectors for EEE. All mosquitoes were collected in the morning and transported to the lab on dry ice. Mosquitoes were then identified, counted, and placed into vials for virus testing. We collected mosquitoes from 253 CDC gravid trap samples and 545 resting box trap samples, representing 22,735 mosquitoes, and 680 mosquito pool samples. Most of the mosquitoes tested for WNV, 19,254 or 84.69%, were a mixed group of two species, Culex pipiens and Culex restuans. The dominant species from resting box traps were Culiseta melanura, Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Anopheles punctipennis. We tested additional species from CDC light traps for EEE, from sites adjacent to positive WNV resting box trap locations. We reported 12 West Nile Virus positive (WNV+) mosquito pools in Vermont this year. Of this number, 11 of the WNV+ pools came from resting box traps and consisted of mosquito species preferring bird hosts. West Nile virus activity appeared in 6 of the 19 towns surveyed, with two towns, Cornwall and Brandon, reporting multiple WNV+ pools. Active virus was first reported from mosquitoes on August 4 and the last pool was reported on October 2. Towns with WNV activity this year included Brandon, Cornwall, Highgate, Leicester, Putney, and Westminster. We have established permanent survey sites for placement of CDC gravid traps and CDC light traps, based on historic statewide trapping data. With the addition of resting box traps to our trapping efforts, we established sites based on the presence of suitable habitat and a known history of Culiseta melanura, the primary vector of EEE. Maps were created to layer important parameters for site selection. We designed a new light-weight, easy to transport resting box trap constructed of black Coroplast plastic. Trials were run to compare this new trap design with two standard resting box traps, a wood fiber pot and a plywood box. Twelve sites were selected in 2009, but not all sites were used due to time constraints. 13 This was an active year for mosquito suppression in the four mosquito control districts. Biting activity was fierce during the daylight hours and suppressed during evening hours due to cool night-time temperatures. Frequent summer storm events deposited rain in wetland breeding areas, triggering significant hatches of floodplain mosquito species. Significant pest species this year included Aedes vexans, Ochlerotatus trivittatus, Ochlerotatus sticticus and Aedes cinereus. We treated a total of 8,728 acres with Bti and Bs larvicide during the season, using both fix-wing aircraft and helicopter.
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West Virginia Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Division Report to the Eastern Plant Board April 12 - 15, 2010 Albany, New York
West Virginia Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Division Report to the Eastern Plant Board
Plant Industries Division is made up of two units, the Agricultural Pest Survey Programs Unit and the Forest Health Protection Programs Unit. During FY 2009, the Division operated programs under the authority of the West Virginia Plant Pest Act and the West Virginia Noxious Weed Act, plus a number of cooperative agreements and memorandums of understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) and the USDA, Forest Service (USDA-FS).
Agricultural Pest Survey Programs
Introduction - Except for the Pest Identification Laboratory (PIL) and the Black Fly Control Program, each of the programs in the Agricultural Pest Survey Programs (APS) Unit conducts statewide surveys to detect both native and exotic (foreign) agricultural pests that can be detrimental to West Virginia’s agricultural interests and the ability to export agricultural products. The survey data gathered by the APS Unit is used to formulate recommendations, as needed, on the pest problems encountered.
The Black Fly Control Program has the responsibility of significantly reducing the black fly population in southeastern West Virginia without adversely affecting non- target aquatic organisms within the area of treatment. This is accomplished by monitoring black fly larval development in certain southern West Virginia river systems for the purpose of determining the optimum time to conduct black fly control operations. Suppression activities target problem areas of the New, Bluestone and Greenbrier Rivers.
Accomplishments:
• Supervised 22 black fly treatments between March and October. • Conducted 93 aquatic invertebrate monitoring trips between February and October. • Investigated black fly complaint in Mercer County. • Gave a presentation about the WV Black Fly Control Program at and attended the Pennsylvania Vector Control Association meeting (November 2008). • Gave talk at the annual WV Entomology Society meeting at North Bend State Park (January 2009). • Attended the North American Black Fly Association annual meeting in Lake Placid, FL (February 2009). • Completed map preparation and ground, river, and aerial surveys for expansion of spray program on the Greenbrier River. • Participated in television and newspaper interviews.
The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program fulfills the requirements of a cooperative agreement between the USDA-APHIS-PPQ and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) by conducting surveys for insects, plant pathogens and injurious weeds in field crops in order to detect any newly introduced foreign plant pests and to monitor the presence and severity of native agricultural pests.
CAPS Program efforts are directed at improving methods for the detection and measurement of plant pests, conducting surveys in support of export certification requirements and entering pest data from this and other Division programs into the National Agricultural Pest Information System's (NAPIS) computer database. Reports of pest populations are made to local, state and federal cooperators. In addition to conducting regular native pest surveys for agricultural plant pests, the program cooperates in multi-state regional pest surveys.
Accomplishments:
• Established plots in soybean fields in Mason, Wood, Hardy, Berkeley, Mineral and Jefferson counties and monitored them for soybean rust (SBR) pustules beginning in July. • Sampled 230 peach, plum and cherry leaves for plum pox virus (PPV) in Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson, and Mason Counties following the National Plum Pox Survey Guidelines. • Sampled wheat grain from 8 growers in Mason, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson Counties for karnal bunt. Results are still pending. • Sampled fields in Mason, Wood, Hardy, Jefferson and Berkeley counties for plant parasitic nematodes of regulatory concern. A total of 28 soil samples were collected and analyzed. No nematodes of regulatory significance were detected leading to enhanced marketability for interstate and international markets. • Performed field inspections for the national seed potato certification program as required for interstate trade of WV seed potatoes. • Conducted surveys for exotic dodders (Cuscuta spp.), broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) and mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum) at 295 sites in 55 counties. • Released 6,000 weevils for biological control of mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum) in Wood (2,500), Kanawha (500), Hampshire (1,000), and Mineral (2,000) Counties. • Set and serviced 70 traps in seven counties for Sirex noctilio. • Set and serviced 120 traps in 40 counties for exotic wood-boring beetles and wasps in June. This survey will continue through November 2009. • Set and serviced 150 light brown apple moth traps in 39 counties. • Set and serviced 604 emerald ash borer purple prism traps in 34 counties.
The Pest Identification Laboratory (PIL) is a cooperative effort of the entomology and plant pathology staff. It complements the pest survey and detection efforts of the APS Unit by providing expertise in the identification of insects, plant diseases, weeds and other pests; disseminates information and/or control recommendations on the problems identified; investigates problems considered significant from a biological, regulatory or impact standpoint; and maintains permanent reference collections and record systems of insects, plant diseases and weeds. It also provides pest identification, information and control recommendations for private individuals, businesses and other government agencies.
Accomplishments:
• Identified suspect exotic insect target specimens from approximately 1050 trap samples for the USDA-APHIS-CAPS exotic bark beetle and exotic woodborer survey programs. Samples were screened for the presence of thirteen species of exotic scolytids, eight species of exotic long-horned beetles, and the exotic Sirex woodwasp. • Identified approximately 650 trap samples of exotic buprestid beetle suspects from 34 counties for the emerald ash borer trapping survey program. • Identified approximately 60 insect samples for the detection of the exotic woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, for the Cooperative Forest Health Protection Programs. • Attended a Cerceris wasp bio-surveillance project demonstration for the detection of emerald ash borer conducted by the University of Guelph, Ontario, CA staff. • Identified approximately 460 insect samples for the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana, survey detection program. • Entered approximately 70 identified specimens into the Reference Insect Collection computerized data base, making a total of 129,063 identified specimen records. • Confirmed the presence of the exotic invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, in Jefferson, Berkeley, Monongalia, and Kanawha counties. • Identified specimens of the family Tingidae for the Florida Department of Agriculture, the Miami, FL, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, and the University of Florida. • Provided peer reviews of scientific publications upon request for the scientific journals Entomological News, the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, and Zootaxa. • Handled 1,078 pest calls, 489 specimens, and 95 literature requests. • Provided 29 youth educational programs, 13 adult educational programs, and 14 media interviews on various pest-related problems.
The Plant Pest Regulatory Program (PPRP) protects the state’s agricultural interests from native plant pests that are capable of being distributed on plant material produced within the state and from foreign plant pests that may be introduced either accidentally on plant material from out-of-state sources or intentionally for research or other purposes. This is accomplished through the use of surveys, inspections, quarantines, plant pest orders, plant pest permits, memorandums of understanding, and compliance agreements. The PPRP serves the consumer by preventing the marketing of disease or insect-infested nursery stock and serves other horticultural interests of the state by helping to prevent or retard the dissemination of foreign plant pests. The PPRP is responsible for the annual inspection of all nurseries and, when possible, nursery stock available for distribution at nursery dealerships; the registration of all in-state nurseries and nursery dealers; and the enforcement of all in-state plant quarantines. The PPRP is also responsible for seeing that plant products leaving the state comply with all regulations of the receiving state. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Regulatory Program, which operates as part of the PPRP, operates under a cooperative agreement with the USAD-APHIS-PPQ. Its mission is to prevent the artificial spread of the EAB through enforcement of state and federal EAB quarantines and the dissemination of information about EAB. The Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread (STS) Regulatory Program, another part of the PPRP, operates under a cooperative agreement with the STS Foundation, which is funded through the USDA-APHIS-PPQ. This agreement funds an STS regulatory officer to investigate the movement of articles that pose a risk of spreading the gypsy moth into uninfested areas of the state and nation.
Accomplishments:
• Registered 123 nurseries and 489 nursery dealerships and conducted 147 nursery inspections and 41 nursery dealership inspections, resulting in the stop-sale of approximately 15 individual pieces of nursery stock because of injurious plant pests. • Conducted inspections and issued 519 USDA-APHIS-PPQ phytosanitary certificates for international lumber shipments. • Issued 11 phytosanitary certificates for interstate plant shipments. • Published the West Virginia Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers Directory. • Visited 162 sites for the purpose of investigating the movement of articles capable of transporting gypsy moth life stages into uninfested areas under the USDA- APHIS-PPQ funded Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Regulatory (STSR) Program. • Conducted six inspections at vehicle weigh stations along interstate highways for the purpose of enforcing state and federal gypsy moth quarantines. • Visited 213 sites for the purpose of investigating the movement of articles capable of transporting emerald ash borer life stages into uninfested areas under the USDA-APHIS-PPQ funded Emerald Ash Borer Regulatory Program. • Serviced and removed 77 EAB purple prism traps from Raleigh and Fayette Counties.
Forest Health Protection Programs
Introduction – The Forest Health Protection (FHP) Programs Unit provides for forest insect and disease surveillance and detection programs and, when necessary, plans and conducts pest eradication or abatement programs. The programs utilize cooperative agreements with the USDA Forest Service (USDA-FS) to conduct surveys, identify causal agents, delimit infestations, plan control programs, and assist citizens of the state in forest insect and disease related problems. Allied cooperators include West Virginia University (WVU) and the West Virginia Division of Forestry (WVDF).
Forest Insect and Disease Survey and Detection Program
• Conducted hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) surveys detecting HWA in one new county: Lincoln. • Conducted the Early Detection and Rapid Response survey with sites in 9 counties near sites at high risk for new infestations. • Conducted a survey for Cerceris fumipennis at 55 sites in 21 counties. • Planning for release of the predatory beetle, Laricobius nigrinus, in late October as part of a bio-control effort directed at HWA. • The forest pathologist received certification through USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST to perform USDA-APHIS-PPQ validated diagnostic tests for Phytophthora ramorum. • Participated in the 2009 Sudden Oak Death National Survey by surveying four streams in Fayette, Nicholas, Kanawha and Cabell Counties using rhododendron leaves as bait. All samples were processed by the WVDA Plant Pathology Lab. To date, samples are negative for Phytophthora ramorum, but a number of other Phytophthora species have been detected. • Conducted a beech bark scale/disease resistance survey to locate sites with surviving, potentially disease-resistant trees. • Conducted a bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) survey throughout the state. BLS was detected in four new counties (Putnam, Mason, Summers, and Webster) and on two new hosts (scarlet oak and boxelder). Samples were processed by the WVDA Plant Pathology Lab. • A survey of Christmas tree diseases and insects was conducted on 14 Christmas tree farms across West Virginia. A total of 29 disease and insects or abiotic problems were noted. • A survey for hickory decline was conducted statewide. Very little decline was noted.
Gypsy Moth Program
The Gypsy Moth Program is, by far, the largest single FHP program. It is divided into two parts; the Gypsy Moth Cooperative Suppression (GMCS) Program, which conducts the Cooperative State-County-Landowner (CSCL) Program in the generally infested area of the state; and the Slow the Spread (STS) Program, which operates in the transition zone between the leading edge of the main gypsy moth infestation and the uninfested zone where adult males are only occasionally found.
A primary component of the Gypsy Moth Program, particularly the STS part of it, is geographic information systems (GIS) support. The purpose of the GIS section is to provide computer systems operation and data management support and produce maps for male gypsy moth detection surveys, gypsy moth and other forest defoliator surveys and forest pest suppression operations.
GMCS Accomplishments:
• Aerially surveyed approximately 4.75 million acres of state and private lands and mapped 44,281 acres of gypsy moth defoliation. • Surveyed more than 326,018 acres during the fall of 2008 to determine what areas were at risk for gypsy moth defoliation in the spring of 2009. • Treated 39,280 acres under the CSCL Program; 16,936 acres with Dimilin, 21,400 acres with Btk and 944 acres with Gypchek. • The gypsy moth program manager served as vice president of the National Gypsy Moth Management Board and continued as a member of the National Cooperative Forest Health Protection Aerial Application Safety Council. • The gypsy moth program manager programmed the divisions 34 IRP radios and began installation in staff vehicles and programmed radios for Homeland Security and Animal Health.
STS Accomplishments:
• Trapped 13,713 male gypsy moths in 2009 compared to 57,323 male moths in 2008. • Set 4,537 gypsy moth traps in 2009. • Treated 6,930 acres in McDowell County with Pheromone Flakes.
GIS Accomplishments:
• Provided computer systems operation and data management support, as well as map production for male gypsy moth detection surveys, gypsy moth and other forest defoliator surveys and forest pest suppression operations. • Provided GIS analysis for the Forest Health portion of the Forest Assessment required by the congressional Farm Bill and the USDA-Forest Service.