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 - 2014

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

SUMMARY OF 2013 NURSERY INSPECTIONS, FOREST /PLANT PEST SURVEYS

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NURSERY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION

Three-hundred five nurseries were certified to conduct intra- and interstate business. There were 671 nursery inspections during the growing season.

NURSERY and DISEASES. The most important diseases and pests found in nurseries (in order of prevalence) were boxwood blight, aphids on various trees and shrubs, boxwood leaf miner, imported willow leaf , and lily leaf beetle.

JAPANESE BEETLE CERTIFICATION. We observed treatments of 7 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. Four nurseries met other requirements of the United States Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan and shipped 2,332 plants to states that quarantine plants from Connecticut.

JAPANESE BEETLE CERTIFICATION TO CANADA. Eight Connecticut nurseries, which met the inspection requirements of the US/Canada Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan, shipped 24,401 plants to Canada in 2013.

NURSERY DEALER PERMITS. Nursery dealer permits were issued to 157 firms. One-hundred twenty three of these companies operate individual outlets. The remaining businesses have more than one outlet each. In total, there were 568 outlets.

Report to the Eastern Plant Board 1 Connecticut 2014 PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES. Three-hundred and thirty three phytosanitary inspection certificates were issued covering the shipment of the following plant materials to destinations outside the United States:

Product Quantity (Cartons) 1000 Bulbs & Tubers (Dahlia & Gladiolas)(# Bags) 678 Chinese Tree Peony (plants) 13 Greenhouse plants Rhizomes 311 Cuttings 18 Nursery stock Unrooted cuttings 231 Plants (B and B) 19,440 Bare root plants 34 Orchids (plants) 2,716 Perennials Bare root plants 4,134 Potted plants 12 Seeds (bags) 533 Tobacco Bales 56,280 Bundles 19,503 Cartons 24,675 Walnut shells (bags) 101

SPECIAL INSPECTIONS. Eleven inspections were made for 96 individual plants to assist homeowners moving out of state.

Seventy eight inspections were made to assist nurseries moving the following plants interstate:

Product Quantity Nursery stock (containers) 121 (bare root plants) 1,500 Greenhouse plants 963 Logs 50 Seed (# Bags) 64

BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATORY SERVICES INSPECTION ACTIVITY. In cooperation with officers from the Wallingford USDA-APHIS-PPQ office, eight inspections were conducted in 2013 at facilities or laboratories working with recombinant or regulated organisms. PERMITS TO MOVE LIVE PLANT PESTS, NOXIOUS WEEDS, AND SOIL. In 2013, there were forty- four PPQ 526 Permits (Permit to move live plant pests, noxious weeds, and soil) approved in CT. There were three PPQ 525 Permits (Permit to move soil) approved in CT. FOREST HEALTH

Report to the Eastern Plant Board 2 Connecticut 2014 During the summer of 2012, 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. A single snow event, on February 8-9, 2013, dumped upwards of 40 inches of snow in some areas of CT. The heavy wet snow did not cause extensive tree damage; harm was limited to slight branch breakage. Many compromised trees had been taken out by Hurricane Irene and SuperStorm Sandy in previous years.

A hailstorm that was tracked by the US Forest Service did cause extensive damage to forested areas in northern Litchfield County on May 31, 2013. The path of hail damage to trees could be tracked for over 10 miles.

INSECT AND DISEASE SURVEYS

BOXWOOD BLIGHT. First discovered in Middlesex County, CT in November 2011, boxwood blight, caused by the fungus Calonectria pseudonaviculata (syn. Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum), continues to be an issue for both nurseries and landscapes. This disease was new to CT and to the US. In 2013, action concerning boxwood blight was taken eleven times at nurseries, garden centers, and private residences; fifty-three samples were collected from nurseries (six positives) and forty-two samples from private residences (12 positives).

Also in 2012, CAES scientists documented that the fungus also infects Pachysandra terminalis, a popular landscape plant often planted with boxwood. Again, this discovery was new to science.

Efforts continue to educate landscapers about boxwood blight and its consequences.

CHRYSANTHEMUM WHITE RUST. In 2013 we inspected 72,257 plants for CWR, caused by Puccinia horiana. Five hundred forty seven plants were found to be positive, and were destroyed.

GYPSY . There was no observable defoliation due to Gypsy Moth recorded in CT in 2013. During egg mass surveys in winter 2013-2014, however, there are locations where sufficient numbers of egg masses are present to caused damage in summer of 2014. These locations will be closely monitored.

ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE. We conducted sixty five inspections of 6,196 trees in all counties of CT for presence or signs of ALB infestation.

HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID. During 2013, 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 shipping certificates for the plants.

RAMORUM LEAF BLIGHT. There were three trace-forward actions involving P. ramorum in CT in 2013. Potentially infested host material was shipped to one nursery and many private home owners. A Report to the Eastern Plant Board 3 Connecticut 2014 total of 18 samples were collected, and determined to be negative for presence of P. ramorum. No further action was taken.

One nursery was involved in trace-back actions. Two samples were collected, and determined to be negative for presence of P. ramorum. No further action was taken.

DAYLILY RUST. During 2013, we surveyed daylilies in nurseries and garden centers for signs of daylily rust, caused by Puccinia hemerocallidis. Eighty nine inspections (43,576) were conducted.

APIARY INSPECTION. There are currently seven hundred thirty seven registered beekeepers maintaining 5,343 hives. In 2013, nine hundred three hives in five hundred ninety beeyards in CT were inspected. American foulbrood was detected in five hives; these were destroyed by burning. The most common problems were high levels of Varroa mites and a high level of queen failure. CT beekeepers continue to lose colonies overwinter in higher numbers than experienced in the past years. These losses are consistent with regional and nationwide trends. Inspections have discovered the small hive beetle on a regular basis in most areas of the state with a stronger presence in the sandy regions along Long Island Sound. Winter hive inspections have detected the adult beetle coexisting within the winter cluster. Despite these challenges, beekeeping interest is still strong with over 465 new beekeepers being trained this winter. Due to high winter losses in 2012-2013, local beekeepers were not able to provide sufficient numbers of honey bees for pollination of our orchards and pumpkin fields. For the first time, honey bees were brought in from out of state to meet pollination demands.

EMERALD ASH BORER. The emerald ash borer (EAB) was first detected in Connecticut in the town of Prospect on July 16, 2012 and New Haven County was quarantined on August 9, 2012. The beetle has subsequently been detected in 14 other towns in four counties, which have been quarantined for EAB. In addition to the state internal quarantine, the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies sections 22-84-5d were amended and section 22-84-5g was added for the regulation of firewood transported into and within Connecticut. A total of 27 permits or compliance agreements have been issued for the movement of regulated articles. Twenty-three permits were for the transport of firewood, 21 of which were for importation into Connecticut. Seven permits were for movement of regulated articles out of New Haven County to locations in the three other counties, which were added to the EAB quarantine on August 29, 2013 (Fairfield, Litchfield, and Hartford counties). Other permits were for the transport of green or wood waste to a recycling facility or for ash logs to a mill. Surveys with both purple panel traps and Cerceris colonies will continue in 2014.

Report to the Eastern Plant Board 4 Connecticut 2014

REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD Princeton, NJ

2013 Activity Summary

Contents Page Apiary Inspection 2 Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey 3 Noxious Weed Control 7 Nursery Inspection and Certification 8 Seed Certification and Grain Inspection 10 Plant Regulatory Programs 12

Submitted by:

Faith B. Kuehn, Ph.D. Plant Industries Administrator

April, 2014 Apiary Inspection

Annually, honey bees are responsible for pollinating $20 million of Delaware fruit and vegetable crops. This dollar amount is estimated at the “Farm Gate” level, not the wholesale or retail level.

Apiary Inspection Unit Activities

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Certification of Honeybee Colonies for Interstate Transport 1,192 1,565 1,312 1,016 1293 Certification of Honeybee Queen and Package Suppliers 1 2 2 3 4 Honeybee Colonies Permitted for Entrance into Delaware 1,024 1,684 1,248 1,360 2146 Evaluations of Pesticide Damage to Honeybee Colonies 3 4 8 4 4

Stinging Insect Related Phone Calls 200+ 426 459 730 987 Information Provided to Public on Beginning Beekeeping 63 121 169 84 142 Educational Presentations 9 23 5 11 17 Educational Displays & Exhibits Presented 2 2 1 3 4 Technical Workshops Presented 11 9 23 12 6 Basic Beekeeper Courses Presented 1 2 1 3 2 Information Provided at Beekeeping Industry Meetings 18 17 12 5 11 Successful Media Contacts 3 1 2 2 2

Africanized Honey Bees Africanized honey bees (Apis meliffera scutellata) continue to threaten agriculture in the U.S. and Delaware. So Delaware maintains pheromone-baited artificial nesting cavities along Delaware’s coast. Africanized honey bees were not found in Delaware.

Africanized Honey Bee Trapping 2013 Traps Set Swarms Captured African European 16 0 0 0

Brood Inspections The State Apiarist registers and inspects honeybee colonies to protect the industry from costly diseases and parasites.

Delaware Apiary Registration and Inspection 2011 2012 2013 Registered Beekeepers 264 263 370 Registered Colonies 1873 1724 1842 Brood Inspections 733 1043 1018 Apiaries Inspected 142 88 104

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Brood Inspection Results Honey Bee Disease / Pest Infected / Infested Colonies Chalkbrood Ascophaera apis 68 Sacbrood Virus 17 American Foulbrood Paenibacillus larvae 3 European Foulbrood Melissoccus pluton 14 Tracheal Mite Acarapis woodi 100% Varroa Mite Varroa jacobsoni 100% Small Hive Beetle Aethina tumida 100%

Education and Outreach The Apiary Inspection Unit works with the Delaware Beekeepers Association to share technical information and provide training. Additionally, one apiary maintained at State Forest facilities provides observation colonies for classroom demonstrations and promotional exhibits. The apiary is also used during 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.

Provided technical assistance to the USDA Farm Service Agency ELAP program. In addition, we partnered with Delaware State University and Delaware Beekeepers Association to provide a beginner beekeeping course.

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program is a partnership 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.

Red Imported Fire 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. RIFA was not found in Delaware during 2013 and all previous sites were negative.

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Nursery-Based Bundled Survey DDA conducted a survey for 7 pests in Delaware nursery stock. None of these target pests were detected.

Asian Longhorned Beetle , Anoplophora glabripennis Emerald Ash Borer , Agrilus planipennis Quetta Longhorned Beetle , Aeolesthes sarta Oak Splendor Beetle , Agrilus biguttatus Japanese Cedar Longhorned Beetle , Callidiellum rufipenne Visual survey of host plants at 75 nurseries.

Light Brown Apple Moth , Epiphyas postvittana Traps at 10 nurseries.

Ramorum Blight , Phytophthora ramorum Visual survey and sampling of symptomatic leaf tissue.

Forest Pest Survey Oak / Commodity Survey Traps were maintained at 15 sites for pests from the Pine and Oak Commodity Survey guidelines. No target pests were found.

Asian Longhorned Beetle 10 experimental ALB traps were placed in industrial areas of Northern Delaware (6 run by the Forest Service). ALB was not found.

Sirex noctilio Woodwasp Ten traps were maintained throughout DE by DDA and USDA-PPQ. Traps were hung from June 1-November 15. Sirex noctilio was not found in Delaware.

Emerald Ash Borer 54 purple EAB traps were placed in ash stands throughout Delaware. EAB was not detected in any trap samples.

Pine Shoot Beetle Ten pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda) traps were placed in pine stands between November 2012 and May 2013. Pine shoot beetle was not detected.

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 high-impact pests.

Each plan contains pest highlights, projected impacts in Delaware, survey methodology, identification protocols, and a practical discussion of likely responses to a positive find in Delaware. Response plans are periodically reviewed and updated.

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Pests were ranked into three tiers which considered the pest’s potential for damage, public visibility, public health impact, level of regulatory response and feasibility of eradication.

Current and Significant Plant Pest Response Plans

Rank Pest Rank Pest Tier 1 Africanized Honey Bee Other White Rust Red Imported Ramorum Blight Tier 2 Pine Shoot Beetle Karnal Bunt Asian Longhorned Beetle Sirex Woodwasp Tier 3 Emerald Ash Borer Plum Pox Potyvirus Asian Rust

Forest Pest Outreach

The Delaware Department of Agriculture received funding through the Farm Bill and hired a seasonal Public Information Officer to work on Forest Pest Outreach. Highlights from this project follow.

State and Private Campgrounds We have met with representatives from Delaware State Parks four times to discuss state park firewood policy. Current campground policy vaguely prohibits campers from using anything other than local wood. State Parks have agreed to modify their policy to be clearer, and to make firewood information more prominent on their websites and throughout their registration/check-in process.

We sent a letter to State Park Friends groups and private campgrounds asking them to promote “Don’t Move Firewood” messaging. Two large campgrounds with 1000 sites each responded requesting materials to give to customers.

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Media Articles were published in the Delaware Invasive Species Council Newsletter and Outdoor Delaware. Outdoor Delaware has 20,000 subscribers and free copies are given to State Park campers.

We also distributed a poster designed by the Don’t Move Firewood campaign at tourist areas and campgrounds.

Events and Presentations We staffed informational booths and distributed information on Forest Pests at 14 public events. We also made technical presentations at the Delaware Invasive Species Council (DISC) Teacher Workshop, DISC Annual Meeting, and the Delaware Arborist Seminar. We worked with the Delaware Center for Horticulture to incorporate forest pest information into their Tree Steward training program. Tree Stewards are community leaders who take a proactive role in protecting trees in Wilmington, DE.

Project-Related Facebook Posts Page Posts Total Reach Impressions Engaged Users DE Dept of Agriculture 49 11,463 25,217 734 DE Invasive Species Council 18 684 1,830 77

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Noxious Weed Control

Delaware Noxious Weeds The list now includes six weeds with johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense halepense ), Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense ), burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus ), giant ragweed ( Ambrosia trifida ), Panicum ( Urochloa texana ) and Palmer ( Amaranthus palmeri ). 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.

Other Weeds Mechanical and herbicide control was applied on selected sites containing kudzu ( Pueraria lobata ), Japanese knotweed ( Polygonum cuspidatum ), bamboo, Porcelain-berry ( Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), and other invasive species. We continue to implement an equipment loan program to assist the public in the control of noxious weeds. We also assist with mile-a- minute biocontrol through University of Delaware insect share days.

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

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Landowners Contacted 1,111 1,013 1,015 1153 1454 Compliance Agreements 48 43 56 45 36 Acres Under Compliance Agreements New Castle County 12,000 10,450 9,570 10570 6007 Kent County 69,950 49,310 60,050 55800 26545 Sussex County 43,790 30,239 34,655 34940 44130 Equipment Days 2,292 1,809 1,640 1570 1812 Right-of-ways Sprayed 3,717 4,863 4,253 3401 3082 Violation Letters 2 3 0 0 4 Court Cases 0 0 0 0 1 Bamboo Phone Calls 64 31 37 50 60 Noxious Weed Phone Calls 84 75 85 91 98 Other Weed Related Calls 108 78 78 86 69

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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 five years. (Compliance agreements are lower this year due to an employee retiring and the new employee starting after the time of year that agreements are signed). 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. Genetically modified and corn have also 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 greenhouse and nursery industry reports $17.5 million in annual gross cash receipts. The Nursery Inspection and Certification Unit inspects nursery stock and Christmas trees for insect and plant disease pests. All nursery businesses must maintain a current Nursery Industry License from Plant Industries. Certification and inspections are conducted to prevent the introduction of unwanted plant pest into Delaware and to facilitate grower shipments of nursery stock to other states and countries.

700 Nursery Program Inspections

600

Greenhouse 500 Inspections

400 Christmas Tree Inspections

300 Nursery Retail Inspections

200 Nursery Growers Inspections 100

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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Licensing In 2013, 1,100 acres of production nursery stock were licensed and inspected. Plant Industries issued 687 nursery industry licenses, including 49 greenhouse operations, 2 plant brokers, 2 wholesale florist, 1 distribution center, and 8 mail-order businesses. 35 new Nursery Industry Licenses were issued.

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 Delaware’s Nursery Program also conducted inspections for APHIS-PPQ, CAPS programs, including 125 Pine shoot beetle, 23 Chrysanthemum white rust and 36 Red imported fire ant inspections.

Boxwood blight, Cylindrocaldium pseudonaviculatum was detected for the first time this year in Delaware. Positive samples were collected from one retail nursery in Sussex County, one residential landscape in Sussex County and one retail nursery in New Castle County. The Department issued Control Orders for all of the suspect boxwoods in each positive block to be destroyed by double bagging and burial at the local landfill. Sanitary landfill permit conditions do not allow for the disposal of plant material for burial at the landfills. As a result, the Department now makes an official plant material burial request through the Department of Natural Resources, Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Section. Boxwood blight has not been detected in Kent County to date.

Chrysanthemum white rust (Puccinia horiana) was surveyed for during retail nursery inspections this year and no chrysanthemum white rust was detected. Also during compliance visits there were no Pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda ) quarantine violations detected.

Ribes Permitting Online Permit: http://dda.delaware.gov/plantind/Ribes%20Permit.pdf

CERTIFICATION OF CURRANT PLANTS STATES REGULATED: All MATERIALS REGULATED: Plants of Ribes spp.

RESTRICTIONS: Shipment of regulated materials into and cultivation within Delaware will

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be allowed, provided a permit authorizing shipment into this area and planting and propagation within the area is obtained from the Plant Industries Section. No permits shall be issued for the plants Ribes aurium or Ribes nigrum .

New Online Nursery License Applications and Inspections System in Third Year Online Nursery Licensing Site: http://nurserylicense.dda.delaware.gov

Plant Industries is now in the third year of using an online system for Nursery Industry License applications. The website allows users to apply, renew, update, and print their Nursery Industry License. All information is saved for future nursery license renewals. This simplifies the renewal process and saves businesses data entry time. After an application is approved the system allows users to update their license information at any time, such as contact information, physical location(s) or plant material supplier changes.

The nursery unit will continue with testing and updates of both the user interface and the administrative portions of the application.

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 2012, the Seed Lab tested 12 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 seed crop, laboratory analysis, and proper labeling of certified seed tags.

Certified Seed Program Activities Activity 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Certified Seed Samples Tested 360 360 N/A 395 323 Certified Acres Inspected 8,689 6,469 8,156 9,589 9,934 Certified Seed Tags Issued 92,051 104,221 101,282 145,719 109,661

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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. The inspection unit also conducts quality tests and resolves grain analysis disputes between growers and the grain mill operator. Most grain harvested is used by the poultry industry.

Grain Inspection Activities

Activity 2011 2012 2013 Certified Granaries 17 17 17 Grain Inspector License Tests 26 14 15 Granary Inspections 239 150 160 Equipment Tests Moisture Meters 116 186 160 Scales 110 110 157 Samples 128 5 0 Official Samples Tested for Certification 300 94 271 Tested for Fungal Diseases Aflatoxin 7 0 0 Vomitoxin (DON) 85 38 125

Standards Established for the Grading 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 Seed lab inspectors conduct sell-by-date inspections at retail and wholesale outlets selling seed to the public. Seed is also purchased 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.

Seed Testing and Inspection

Activity 2011 2012 2013 Retail Store Inspections 726 337 419 Seed Testing Official Seed Samples 858 763 646 Service Seed Samples 305 271 455 Roundup Tolerance Samples 8 12 5

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Plant Regulatory Programs

The 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 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 USDA-APHIS-PPQ-525 3 4 2 4 10 Soil Permit USDA-APHIS-PPQ-526 79 71 72 150 65 Move Live Plant Pests USDA-APHIS-PPQ-546 0 0 0 0 0 Agreement - Post Entry Quarantine USDA-APHIS-PPQ-588 2 1 4 3 3 Plants for Experimental Purposes USDA-APHIS-PPQ-597 0 0 2 0 0 Import Permit - Plants & Plant products USDA-APHIS-BRS 7 27 64 12 13 Biotechnology Permit USDA Permit Lab Inspections - - - 12 -

State Phytosanitary Certificate 2 7 7 5 4 State Issued European Corn Borer Compliance - 1 - - 2 Agreements State Issued House Plant Inspection Certificates - 1 - 1 1

State Issued Japanese Beetle Greenhouse Certificates 3 3 4 2 4

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STATE OF MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY DIVISION OF AND PLANT HEALTH WALTER E. WHITCOMB COMMISSIONER 28 STATE HOUSE STATION

PAUL R. LEPAGE AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333‐0028 E. ANN GIBBS GOVERNOR ACTING DIRECTOR

MAINE REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD

APRIL 2014 – PRINCETON, NEW JEERSEY

SUMMARY OF 2013 AACTIVITIES

INTRODUCTION

The Division of Animal and Plant Health within the Department of Agriiculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) includes Maine's plant regulatory programs, responsible for protecting the state's plant resources from the introduction and spread of regulated insects and diseases. The Division provides technical information and support to agriculturall producers and issues a number of licenses and permits for individuals to conduct certain business. The Division carries out its mission through the work of various programs including: nursery proogram, integrated pest management program, apiary program, cooperative agricultural pest survey (CAPS), seed potato certification and the Board of Pesticides Control. The Division also works closely with the Maine Forest Service, Division of Forest Health and Monitoring which is charged with protecting Maine’s forest, shade and ornamental tree resources from significant insect andd disease damage.

NURSERY PROGRAM

LICENSING AND INSPECTION All businesses or individuals selling nursery stock in Maine must have a license. Nursery stock is defined as: woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable seedlings, herbs, potted plants and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner. 1382 nursery stock licenses were issued in 2013. A list of businesses with Maine nursery stock licenses can be found at: www.maine.gov/hort Inspectors performed 1068 inspections at nurseries, greenhouses and plant dealers. A variety of pests were observed during inspections, but most were minor or common pests. INSPECTIONS OF IMPORTEED HEMLOCK In 2013 information was collected on hemlocks that were imported into the state through the nursery trade in order to inspect for the state quarantined pest hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). 9 businesses from the states of Ohio, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania supplied hemlock trees to 12 nurseries or landscapers in Maine. 19 shipments were imported, with a total of 548 hemlock plants. 13 of these shipments (481 plants) were inspected and found free of HWA, and 5 shipments (61 plants) were cleared by inspecting other recipients of the same truck load. One shipment of 6 plants was not inspected as it arrived after the quarantine was changed.

90 BLOSSOM LANE, DEERING BUILDING PHONE: 207‐287‐3891 www.maine.gov/dacf FAX: 207‐287‐7548

HEMLOCK QUARANTINE CHANGES Maine’s Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Quarantine was amended September 25, 2013. Changes included the removal of logs from the list of regulated articles. Also, the regulated area was expanded to include the entire counties of York, Sagadahoc, and Lincoln, and parts of Androscoggin, Cumberland, and Kennebec counties. While, hemlocks shipped into non‐quarantined areas will still need to be accompanied by either a phytosanitary certificate or a certificate of origin, pre‐ notification of the shipment is no longer required. More information on Maine’s hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine and shipping hemlocks to Maine can be found at www.maine.gov/dacf/php/horticulture/importinghemlocks.shtml PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION AND SHIPPING CERTIFICATION 347 lots of plant materials were inspected and certified for shipment using phytosanitary certificate forms. 18 federal certificates and 6 state certificates were for nursery/forest materials, 36 federal certificates were for seeds, and 287 federal certificates were for potatoes, feed barley and wheat. 25 businesses operated under compliance agreements and were approved to ship nursery stock to other states. 1 business had firewood kilns certified to produce heat‐treated firewood for shipment out‐of‐state. PHYTOPHTHORA RAMORUM TRACE FORWARD In June of 2013 The Department received trace forward notices for several shipments made to Maine homeowners of potentially infested Phytopthora ramorum host material from Greer Gardens and Forest Farm Nursery in Oregon. Plant material from these shipments was surveyed, sampled and found negative for P. ramorum.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY IPM In 2013, the IPM Program collaborated with Cooperative Extension to offer two IPM workshops for greenhouse growers. Thirty five growers participated in the ‘Maine Greenhouse Best Practices’ workshop where they learned about new advances in biological control and banker plants. In addition, approximately 50 greenhouse growers participated in the ‘Tri‐State IPM Workshop’ (held in collaboration with the land‐grant universities of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) to learn pest identification, prevention and management skills, especially biological control methods, and learn about emerging pests and new research. SCHOOL IPM The school IPM regulations, revised in 2013, require IPM training for staff at all public and private K‐12 schools in the state. The School IPM Program updated materials and developed new tools to conform to the revised regulations. An on‐line training module and verification process was developed to support compliance with these new requirements (available at www.maine.gov/schoolipm). A live training program was also developed and will be offered beginning in January 2014. In addition, the School IPM program supports IPM literacy for youth audiences through workshops for teachers and participation in youth educational events. In 2013 we trained 50 pre‐service teachers at the University of Maine Farmington, conducted a workshop for approximately 25 educators at the New England Environmental Education Association conference, and engaged over 3,000 young learners and educators at various educational events across the state.

APIARY PROGRAM

REGISTRATION AND INTERSTATE MOVEMENT In 2013, 860 resident beekeepers registered 9,657 hives and entry permits were issued for 74,772 hives managed by 37 commercial beekeepers for blueberry, apple and cranberry pollination. Approximately 550 fewer resident hives were registered in 2013 than 2012 due to high mortality in the fall and winter of 2012/13 from high varroa infestations and the associated viral complex. Blueberry growers rented 5,344 more colonies in 2013 compared with 2012 and the number of hives used for pollination purposes set another new record for Maine. The demand for additional pollination was due to an increase in blueberry acreage coupled with a mild winter that minimized injury to flower buds thus increasing crop potential. Growers contracted approximately 80,000 hives for blueberry pollination but fewer hives were shipped to Maine due to weight issues. Hives originating from southeastern states were heavy with honey and fewer hives were loaded on trucks in order to comply with Department of Transportation weight restrictions. Maine blueberry growers produced an estimated 86‐90 million pounds of blueberries in 2013, above the five year average of 84 million pounds.

In 2013, 3,510 hives were issued Maine health certificates for interstate movement to SD and GA for honey production and wintering purposes. After blueberry pollination, the majority of hives returned to their states of origin under certification previously issued by that particular state. Hives were shipped to cranberry pollination in NJ, MA and WI with the health certificates issued for entry to Maine. The concept of moving hives successively under a single health certificate between states within the migratory circuit needs to be addressed. Beekeeping operations that pollinate multiple crops during spring are moved every 3‐4 weeks which limits the ability to inspect and reissue health certificates. An annual or semi‐annual certification system that is acceptable among the various states within the migratory pollination circuit needs consideration given the greater demand for crop pollination and movement of honey bees within the U.S.

INSPECTION AND DISEASE DETECTION Throughout the year 6,547 colonies were surveyed at random with 2,065 opened, inspected and sampled for disease and parasites. Fewer inspections were performed during the summer due to extended periods of rain. American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) was found in 0.73% of inspected hives. All of the American foulbrood samples sent to the USDA for antibiotic resistance screening were susceptible to both oxy‐tetracycline and tylosin. In past years some samples were found to be resistant to oxy‐tetracycline. European foulbrood (Melissococcus pluton) and sacbrood virus were detected in 1.3% and 0.6% of the inspected hives respectively. Chalkbrood (Ascosphaera apis) and South African small hive (Aethina tumida) were common in migratory beekeeping operations and honey bees shipments originating from southeastern states. Hive beetles were more prevalent in 2013 than 2012.

In 2013, 99 hives were sampled and the bees microscopically examined for nosema infection. 53% of the samples were positive and 36% of the positive samples exceeded the treatment threshold of 1 million spores/bee. One sample had 122.75 million spores/bee which is the highest infection level found among the thousands of samples checked over the years. The hive died two weeks after the sample was taken.

Nurse bees from 199 hives were sampled for Varroa destructor via the alcohol wash method and 56% of sampled hives were positive. Varroa populations were again high in 2013 due to the mild

winter and associated early brood rearing of both bees and mites. Deformed wing virus and brood with EFB‐like symptoms caused by virus where common in 2013.

Significant time was spent assessing hive strength for blueberry growers concerned with hive quality during crop pollination. In 2013, there was an increase in nuisance complaints associated with bees used for blueberry pollination and a stinging incident involving migratory hives was reported. Some of the hives inspected during pollination had extreme defensive behavior. The state apiarist responded to calls from the Maine Turnpike Authority, Maine State Police and local law enforcement to exterminate or remove clusters of bees that escaped from semis at truck stop fuel pumps and rest areas along I‐95.

In March, the US‐EPA granted a repeat for the Section 18 Emergency Registration of Hopguard (beta acids) to the State of Maine for varroa control. Approximately 4,975 hives were treated with Hopguard in 2013 and efficacy was consistent with USDA and BetaTec reports. The material was lethal to exposed mites for about 3+ days while the beta acid soaked cardboard strips were wet. There were no adverse effects observed when treating hives with Hopguard in 2013 as was the case in 2012 since beekeepers were advised to avoid treatment with this pesticide during cold weather when bees are tightly clustered.

OUTREACH In 2013 the state apiarist presented 29 lectures and workshops on a variety of beekeeping topics to civic groups, educators, beekeeping associations and beekeeping short courses offered by County Extension and Adult Education programs. During blueberry bloom, he participated in a video being produced about blueberry pollination with F. Drummond, University of Maine, J. Skinner, University of Tennessee and Wyman Blueberry Company employees. Interviews were given to Maine Public Radio, various Maine newspapers and magazines such as Yankee and Scientific American. In addition, the state apiarist participated in 2 conference/webinar calls with the US‐EPA Pollination Protection Workgroup, Pesticide Program Dialog Committee as a member of the Best Management Practices sub‐committee.

Information and data was shared with the USDA‐ARS Logan, Utah lab concerning a study: “Spatial Assessment of Honey Bee Decline & Recovery in the US”. The state apiarist also shared information regarding honey bee health with the Quebec Department of Agriculture. He cooperated with a study conducted by Scientific Ag Co, Bakersfield, CA collecting samples of blueberry pollen, nectar and adult bees for aluminum and manganese residue analysis.

The state apiarist also made recommendations to the public regarding nuisance situations involving bees and wasps in urban and suburban settings. The most common complaints concerned bees at swimming pools, hot tubs and water gardens collecting water. Honey bee swarms and hives occupying trees and wall voids of buildings are routine.

MISCELLANEOUS LD 838‐ Resolve, To Establish a Working Group To Study Issues Relating to Liability of Apiary Owners and Operators was defeated by the Committee of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.

Rain for excessive periods during summer caused starvation to populous colonies throughout Maine in July. A number of beekeepers contacted the department and reported hive mortality from insecticides. Hive inspections determined the cause as starvation. Starvation is a rare occurrence in summer.

COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL PEST SURVEY (CAPS)

The Division administered the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program, a cooperative effort between the USDA APHIS PPQ, state departments of agriculture and state universities. The CAPS program supports the position of the state survey coordinator (SSC).

The Maine CAPS Program allowed for survey work of the following in 2013:  Corn‐ Bundle Survey; conducted by SSC at 15 sites in 8 counties. Traps were deployed for old world bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), tomato leaf minor (Tuta absoluta), cotton cutworm (Spodoptera litura), Egyptian cottonworm (Spodoptera littoralis), and false (Thaumatotibia leucotreta). None of the target species were found.  Conifer Pest Survey; conducted by the Maine Forest Service. Traps were deployed at 20 sites in 6 counties for pine tree lappet (Dendrolimus pini), Siberian silk moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus), pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea), and brown spruce longhorned beetle (Tetropium fuscum). None of the target species were found.

 Exotic Tree Fruit Survey; conducted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Pest Management Office. Traps were deployed at 11 sites in 5 counties for summer fruit tortrix (Adoxophyes orana), cotton cutworm (Spodoptera litura), and Egyptian cottonworm (Spodoptera littoralis). Tree fruit was inspected for apple proliferation (Candidatus phytoplasma mali) and Asiatic brown rot (Monilia polystroma) at over 20 orchard blocks on a weekly basis. None of the target species were found.

Data was entered into NAPIS for 23 pests. There were no new state pest finds entered into NAPIS. Data was entered into IPHIS for PCN.

In addition, several other surveys were administered through the CAPS program including:  Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) National Survey,  Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP)

FOREST PEST OUTREACH AND SURVEY PROJECT (FPOSP) The CAPS SSC coordinated the Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP), a region‐wide effort to build an awareness program aimed at early detection of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), emerald ash borer (EAB), and other invasive forest pests. A part‐time coordinator was hired to manage the volunteer program. A large number of state and federal agencies cooperated on this project, including: The Nature Conservancy, USDA APHIS PPQ, USDA NRCS, Bureau of Parks and Lands, local K‐12 school districts, Master Gardeners, various soil and water conservation districts, and others. For 2013, 100 new volunteers were trained in four formal train‐the‐trainer workshops, bringing the total to 289 volunteers to help conduct outreach on ALB, EAB, BSLB and other recent tree invasives, such as hemlock woolly adelgid and winter moth. Over 100 events were conducted and approximately 30,000 people reached. No ALB, EAB or BSLB have been found in Maine, although HWA is expanding its range, and the recent establishment of winter moth has caused noticeable defoliation in certain areas of the state. This project is continuing throughout the summer of 2014, and a farm bill suggestion was submitted to extend the project another year. NATIONAL EMERALD ASH BORER TRAPPING SURVEY

Three agencies participated in a national trapping survey for the emerald ash borer; Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, USDA APHIS PPQ, and the Penobscot Indian Nation. Approximately 850 purple traps were deployed at predetermined locations throughout the state. The National EAB Survey Protocol was followed. No EAB was collected from any of the traps. A similar survey is being conducted in 2014.

SEED POTATO CERTIFICATION

Seed potatoes are certified to control the level of pests in Maine’s potato industry. Certification is a three step process: inspection of seed potatoes during the summer, post‐harvest disease evaluation of samples submitted for testing and inspection during shipping to ensure the potatoes meet grade standards. Only lots that have been found to meet, field, post‐harvest testing and shipping point inspection can be tagged as certified seed. SUMMER FIELD INSPECTION In 2013, 11,182 acres from 122 growers met disease tolerances for regulated diseases and pests during the summer field inspection. A directory of producers whose seed lots passed the summer inspection program is compiled at the conclusion of the field inspection season and posted at http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/seed_potato/index.shtml. POST‐HARVEST TESTING Maine statutes require a sample be submitted for post‐harvest disease evaluation at a state operated farm in Homestead, in order for a seed lot to receive certification. In November 2013, 1094 samples, representing approximately 10,794 acres of potatoes were planted, and then evaluated for disease in January 2014. 60.9% met the certification requirements for foundation seed (total virus <0.55%), 36% met the requirements of certified seed (total virus 0.56‐5%) and 3.2% did not meet the seed certification standards (>5% total virus). Florida test results are posted at www.maine.gov/dacf/php/seed_potato POTATO CYST NEMATODE NATIONAL SURVEY The Seed Potato Certification Program participated in the Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) National Survey for the fifth year in a row. Funding for the 2013 survey came from the Farm Bill. 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). DACF staff used specialized mechanical samplers to survey all seed potato fields in Aroostook County that grow seed for export. Each acre was sampled according to protocol to collect a 5 lb sample, resulting in 4160 samples. All soil samples were shipped to the USDA APHIS Nematode Laboratory in Avoca, NY. No PCN or GN was found.

BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL

PESTICIDE USE AND APPLICATOR LICENSING The Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) licenses applicators (Agricultural Basic, Private and Commercial) and dealers (limited/restricted and general use products). As of March 2013, there are 80 active Agricultural basic licensees, 1154 active private licensees, 1703 active commercial licensees, 247 spray contracting firm (business) licenses, 64 limited/restricted use dealers, and 904 general use dealers. LEGISLATION

In the last session, the Maine Legislature required the Board of Pesticides Control to co‐develop a plan to respond to mosquito borne diseases with the Maine CDC. It also approved the use of reduced risk FIFRA 25B exempt pesticides labeled for all plants for application to medical marijuana.

FOREST INSECT AND DISEASE CONDITIONS

Courtesy of the Forest Health & Monitoring Division, Maine Forest Service. Growing season condition reports are available on the MFS website www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/condition_reports.html WINTER MOTH Winter moth (Operophtera brumata) is firmly established along the coast of southern Maine from Kittery (York County) to Bar Harbor (Hancock County). Defoliation during the spring was moderate to heavy in scattered locations from Cape Elizabeth, Peaks Island and Harpswell (Cumberland County) to Vinalhaven and Bristol (Lincoln County). Defoliation was fairly well matched to the risk map developed in 2012 from submitted in December. Total area defoliated was 5,180 acres. Light defoliation was observed in many additional near coastal areas in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox Counties. Male moths were positively confirmed by dissection in Hancock County although no defoliation was found in 2013.

Parasitic flies, Cyzenis albicans, were released in Harpswell and Cape Elizabeth to begin the process of bringing the winter moth population under control and in balance with the Maine environment. These flies are very specific to feeding in winter moth and have been used successfully in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington State. More flies will be released in the future. This work is being carried out in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts and is funded by the USDA. The distribution and spread of the winter moth is being monitored by the Maine Forest Service. The University of Maine is researching the impact of winter moth on the agricultural crops blueberries and apples as well as the transport of this pest to new locations in soil. The USDA‐Forest Service is monitoring long term effects to the forest. More information about winter moth can be found at: www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/insects/winter_moth.htm. GYPSY MOTH 2013’s pheromone baited milk carton traps caught around 8000 male gypsy moths in towns north of the current quarantine line. This is a good indication the front of the infestation has moved and the quarantine area is due for revision. Because male gypsy moths are highly attracted to the traps and can fly relatively long distances, a second life stage (egg, larva, , or adult female) is sought to confirm establishment in a new town. To date, follow‐ up surveys in towns with high milk carton trap counts in 2013 have revealed gypsy moth egg masses in ten new towns: Moro Plantation, T7 R5 WELS, T6 R6 WELS, T8 R6 WELS, T8 R8 WELS, Bowdoin College Grant East Township, Indian Stream Township, Johnson Mountain Township, Squaretown Township, and T3 R5 BKP WKR. For more information: www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/quarantine_information.html#GM LONG‐TERM EFFECTS OF THE ICE STORM OF 1998

An alert landowner from Livermore reported that many if not most trees harvested in one particular woodlot showed signs of internal cracking of live, green stems. Nearly all trees harvested were around thirty years old, and included mostly red maples, poplars, and birches. Some considerable internal staining was also evident in many stems.

While the following explanation may be difficult to prove, a very likely cause of this defect development was the Ice Storm of 1998. The area was well within the high‐impact zone for the storm. At that time, the trees would have been saplings around 12 to 15 years old. During the ice storm, many of these young trees would have been bent or “doubled over” for some time following the event. Flexing such as this can result in the development of severe stresses and “shake” in the wood. Shake is a separation of the wood cells, either along the radial axis (ray shakes), or of the annual rings along the longitudinal axis (ring shakes). Some top and branch breakage may also have occurred, and could easily account for the dark staining in the centers. Such defects are not especially common in forests growing under normal circumstances, but extreme events such as the ice storm can significantly alter the growth and development of the stems throughout the life of the affected trees.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Weed Management Section Annual Report to the Eastern Plant Board Princeton, NJ April 2014

Summary of 2013 Activities

Contents

Apiary Inspection ...... 2

Nursery Inspection and Plant Quarantine ...... 3

Pest Survey ...... 3

CAPS Surveys ...... 4

Farm Bill ...... 5

Diagnostic Laboratories ...... 5

Plant Certification ...... 6

Weed Integrated Pest Management (IPM)...... 8

Noxious Weed Management ...... 9

Plant Protection and Weed Management Summary of Activities ...... 10

Other Activities ...... 11

Submitted by:

Dick Bean Program Manager Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management

Plant Protection and Weed Management

Apiary Inspection MDA’s Apiary Inspection Program controls honey bee diseases, parasitic mites, and other pests, to maintain healthy colonies for the pollination of Maryland crops. Honey bees pollinate crops valued at more than $40 million. Maryland fruit and vegetable growers rent 5,000 colonies a year to improve pollination. Beekeepers’ colonies are essential to Maryland because two parasitic mites have nearly eliminated feral bee colonies. American foulbrood is the most serious brood disease of honey bees and can destroy a colony in one year. The 18 colonies that inspectors found to have American foulbrood, as diagnosed by the USDA Bee Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, were destroyed to control the spread of this bacterial disease to healthy colonies. The incidence of disease remains relatively low – .6% of the colonies inspected. Varroa populations were very high in Maryland in 2013, and brood problems were attributed to varroa mite. The varroa mite has been found to be resistant to Apistan®, the primary product used to control this parasite. There are six products available to control varroa mite. Tracheal mite populations, as documented by the USDA honeybee laboratory, continue to be so low that tracheal mite is no longer considered a threat to honeybees if colonies are monitored on a regular basis. Africanized honey bees (AHB) 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 2013. 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 AHB movement, other than through natural spread. The small hive beetle was detected in packaged bees and reported or detected in all 23 counties this past year. Colonies are treated and monitored to ensure successful control of the beetles. There have been reports of larval 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 3,868 honey bee colonies to move into Maryland, primarily for overwintering and 2,211 colonies to move out of Maryland for pollination services. For the seventh year, Maryland beekeepers sent colonies to for almond pollination. In the winter of 2013, 2,500 colonies were again transported to California for this purpose. Maryland participated in a National Honey Bee Survey funded through the Farm Bill in 2011 and continued through 2013. Eighteen apiaries in 8 counties were surveyed to document which bee diseases/parasites/pests of honey bees are and are not present in the US. This survey is in collaboration with USDA ARS, and is designed to determine the presence/absence of exotic pests such as the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) and parasitic mites in the Tropilaelaps, in the US. The samples collected by MDA apiary inspectors were sent to ARS for virus analysis, and to Pennsylvania State University for analysis of nosema, tracheal mites, small hive beetle, Tropilaelaps, and other pests. Sample results are sent to the cooperating apiarist. To complete the survey, an additional 18 apiaries will be surveyed by the end of July 2014.

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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 $960 million in farm income. Other horticultural products and services sold boosted total gross receipts to more than $1.96 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 Plant Protection & Weed Management staff. Maryland law and reciprocal agreements with other states require annual production facility and sales location licensing for all producers and suppliers of nursery stock in the state. Production nurseries are inspected annually to ensure that plant material is free of dangerously injurious plant pests. Additionally, plant dealers are inspected regularly to insure plant materials are received and maintained in a healthy and pest‐ free condition for wholesale and retail sale. In 2013, the Maryland Nursery Inspection Program licensed 326 nurseries, 1,334 plant dealers and 10 plant brokers. In 2013, 10,332 acres of nursery stock and 9,965,321 square feet of greenhouse production were certified. In 2013, Plant Protection & Weed Management staff performed routine inspections at 421 Maryland locations. The general health of Maryland‐produced nursery stock was found to be excellent. In additional certification activities for 2013, 169 state phytosanitary certificates that assure compliance with established domestic quarantines were issued to 12 states and U.S. Territories. In 2013, 531 federal phytosanitary certificates, required to export Maryland nursery stock from the U.S., were issued to 61 foreign countries. In specific events of note: Nursery Inspection Program staff performed 46 follow‐up inspections on trace‐forward mail‐order plant material for possible Phytophthora ramorum contamination. No infected plants were detected. Two Maryland eastern‐shore nurseries were issued stop sale orders for plant material infected with boxwood blight, Calonectria pseudonaviculata, and Nursery Inspection Program staff worked with the nurseries, performing pathogen eradication protocols. Stop sale orders remain in place for at least the first part of 2014 and follow‐up inspections and evaluation are ongoing. Plant Protection and Weed Management staff continues to monitor the slow spread of Japanese cedar longhorned beetle in the state. This relatively new pest in Maryland has mainly been found infesting apparently stressed landscape plantings of Thuja and Chamaecyparis in the north‐central region of the state. Nursery Inspection Program staff participated in multiple training programs including exercises relative to field inspection techniques and systems approach to nursery certification (SANC) models hosted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Plant Protection & Weed Management staff continued to pursue further cooperative and compliance agreement opportunities and followed revised protocols that have streamlined and improved the preparation of Maryland nursery stock for sale which was distributed to both foreign and domestic markets.

Pest Survey The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) and Farm Bill surveys are joint projects between the MDA and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). The USDA recommends specific pests of quarantine export significance as survey priorities and provides funding for these surveys. These cooperative survey programs provide necessary data used to certify Maryland products for export to many countries. The surveys also allow for continued outreach and education. CAPS and Farm Bill surveys document the presence or absence of exotic pests in MD, support PPQ exotic pest survey activities and provide state‐specific data for exotic pests in the United States.

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Early detection of exotic pests, before they become established, aids in eradication or control efforts, and protects Maryland agriculture, nursery stock and the environment from potential devastating losses. Federally funded CAPS surveys include: exotic wood borers, cyst nematode, Khapra beetle/noxious weeds, imported fire ant and emerald ash borer; the farm bill surveys include: tomato and stone fruit.

In 2013, MDA deployed and monitored 2,302 insect traps and from these various traps collected 4,712 samples. Survey and trapping techniques vary depending on the pest being surveyed for. Some trapping devices include purple prism traps, bucket traps, delta traps and Lindgren funnel traps. All traps include an attractant lure. Food bait and host volatiles are two examples. There were seven extensive surveys targeting 38 exotic pests that impact trees, stored products, field, orchard and nursery stock.

CAPS Surveys Red Imported Fire Ant ‐ The red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, a stinging insect native to South America, is occasionally shipped out of its regulated area in the southern United States. Despite its quarantine, which requires a wide variety of commodities to be treated or certified free of fire before being transported, some nursery stock has made its way to MD, infested with fire ants. The yearly fire ant survey focuses on tropical plants arriving from the southern US. In 2013, ninety‐four sites were surveyed and two were confirmed positive for RIFA. Both of these sites were issued eradication treatment orders under an MDA Treatment Order and both sites have completed the treatments. Emerald Ash Borer ‐ The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, has been in Maryland since 2003. An initial eradication of this pest was unsuccessful and a large survey program was begun, to track its movement. Presently, EAB is located in eleven counties on Maryland's Western Shore. In 2013, Frederick and Calvert counties were added to that list. The 2013 survey consisted of 347 purple prism trap sites and 32 USDA trap trial sites. A total of 379 sites were surveyed for EAB, 34 of these sites were found positive. Presently the Maryland's Eastern Shore is still negative and is not under a state or federal quarantine. All counties west of the Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna River are under both state and federal quarantines. MDA, along with USDA APHIS PPQ, participates in parasitoid releases. Presently there are 3 parasitoids approved for release and MDA has released all three since 2009. From 2009‐2013, a total of 212,373 parasitoids have been released at 34 locations across the state. All three introduced parasitoids have been recovered in Maryland, from 17 locations. MDA also raises tropical ash (Fraxinus uhdei) to assist in the parasitoid production. Cyst Nematodes ‐ The cyst nematodes surveyed for can be found throughout the world and some are found here in the US. These nematodes can cause severe agricultural damage to many of the crops we grow in Maryland. Three counties (Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick) were surveyed for 10 exotic cyst nematodes. There were nine sites surveyed per county. All sites were crop fields recently planted in corn or soybeans. All samples were negative. Exotic Wood Boring Beetles ‐ USDA regulation require all wood packing material to be treated, so that any insect living in the wood would be killed, however some packing material is not properly treated, allowing possible exotic wood borers to be shipped to the US, and thus be introduced to our environment. Bark beetles can be extremely destructive and in parts of the world have been known to destroy large acreages of forest. In 2013, there were sixteen sites surveyed for exotic wood boring bark beetles, all of the sites receive goods that are packed with wood dunnage. This survey ran from mid‐

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March through October. Each site had three Lindgren funnel traps, each trap has a specific lure which is used as an attractant to one or more of the exotic beetles being surveyed for. All samples were negative. Khapra Beetle / Noxious Weeds ‐ The Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium, is an exotic insect pest that feeds on seeds and stored grain products and is known as one of the world's most destructive insect pests. The MDA surveys a large warehouse that receives seed from countries known to have established populations of the Khapra beetle. There are ten traps throughout the warehouse facility from early spring into late fall. There have been no detections of Khapra beetle at this facility.

Farm Bill Tomato Survey ‐ In 2013, there were 6 exotic pests surveyed for in tomato fields in Maryland. All of these pests have been known to cause extreme destruction in tomatoes in other parts of the world. One, Tuta absoluta, is known to be in the Caribbean and, due to its close proximity to the US, is of high priority for survey. Ten sites on Maryland's Eastern Shore were surveyed from June‐September. Three hundred samples were collected and all samples were negative for the targets. Stone Fruit ‐ There were twelve sites randomly chosen for the stone fruit survey in Maryland. Most were located along the northern border with Pennsylvania, where most ofMaryland's stone fruit is grown. There were seven target pests surveyed for at each site. Traps were hung in stone fruit trees, 585 samples were collected, and all samples were negative for the seven pests. If any of these targets were to become established in the US, there would be large losses to the stone fruit industry.

Diagnostic Laboratories The Plant Protection and Weed Management diagnostic laboratories provide testing and analyses to support MDA programs and provide answers to inquiries from outside the department.

Entomology Laboratory: In 2013, there were a number of interesting samples submitted, as well as a notable natural phenomenon. Rhodesgrass mealybug, Antonina graminis, from Florida plants turned up in a research greenhouse and the European pepper moth, Duponcheila fovealis was detected at an annuals production greenhouse, both inside and out. This pest is new to Maryland. Among citizen submittals were images of the panda carpet beetle, Anthrenus pimpinellae, a very colorful small beetle which was photographed on a daisy flower, and spider beetles, Gibbium aequinoctiale, peculiar little creatures that are sometimes found in stored products. Both real, and imagined bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, were sent in by worried persons. The positives were advised to seek professional assistance for eradication. Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile, was the most ‘popular’ house‐, and workplace‐ invading ant this year. In a first for this lab, a local medical pathology lab submitted a human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, larva, with little information/data. Investigation revealed that the human host had recently returned from Belize, where this tropical parasite occurs. Kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria, detected in Maryland this year by U. MD researchers, was collected by MDA staff from kudzu vines in Davidsonville, Anne Arundel County. This Asian insect, although it attacks , kudzu [good], also has been moving into soybean and other legumes in the South [bad]. Like brown marmorated stink bug, it also invades homes, seeking overwintering sites. Its odor (and blood) are irritating.

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The big news, although not the Big Brood, was the much‐hyped and incorrectly predicted emergence of Brood II periodical cicadas, Magicicada spp. which occurs in Southern Maryland and further south. This emergence occurred exactly where it had been previously documented. Unfortunately, uninformed speculation led many in our area to expect an invasion. Errors travel fast, corrections crawl.

Plant Pathology Laboratory: One of the first undertakings of the new plant disease specialist was the relocation, refitting, and updating of equipment in the Plant Protection Section laboratories. Collection, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment took several months and updating and improving the lab’s molecular capabilities is still underway. Almost 100 samples were obtained for diagnosis, most of which came from nursery inspectors. One‐eighth of the samples received were abiotic related, such as watering issues, soil management, cold damage, etc., while the rest were caused by biotic pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. The majority of pathogens found were fungal. Boxwood blight, Cylindrocladium buxicola (syn. Calonectria pseudonaviculatum), was reported in plants shipped to another state from Maryland. Samples from the nursery where these plants originated were submitted to the MDA laboratory for diagnosis. Among them, boxwood, Buxus sempervirens cv. ‘Suffruticosa’ in this nursery was found positive for boxwood blight. All the susceptible ‘Suffruticosa’ plants were destroyed by burying, in pits onsite. The rest of the boxwood plants have been kept for observation. Visits to grower’s fields and nurseries have been made , to assess the incidence of this disease. Samples from symptomatic plants found during these inspections were collected and examined in the laboratory. A protocol for boxwood blight management practices has been developed and made available to the nursery industry. This protocol is being further revised. Chrysanthemum plants suspected to be infected by Chrysanthemum white rust caused by Puccinia horiana were submitted and examined. The samples were found negative for the rust fungus. Similarly, black walnut samples infested with walnut twig beetle, which can carry ‘thousand cankers’ disease, were examined and were found negative for that disease. Additional walnut samples are being examined for disease. A nursery‐collected cherry sample which showed virus‐like symptoms was tested and confirmed by RT‐PCR to have four different viruses (American plum line pattern virus, Cherry virus A, Prune dwarf virus and latent mosaic viroid) The latter two can cause economic damage to the crop plants. One apple sample suspected to have virus and/or apple proliferation Phytoplasma was confirmed to have two different viruses: (Apple stem grooving virus, an important virus and Apple stem pitting virus), but study on the association of Phytoplasma is underway. Out of several Hosta samples submitted, one was found positive for Hosta virus X. Twenty‐seven soil samples were analyzed for nematodes, especially cyst nematodes. All the samples were negative for cyst nematodes but were found to have several other nematodes. The plant disease specialist attended the American Phytopathological Society meeting and updated information on diagnosis and boxwood blight,also attended MANTS and provided information on boxwood blight in Maryland.

Plant Certification 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 and Convention on the International Trade in

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Endangered Species (CITES) regulations to ensure the continued viability of this potentially threatened native resource and to protect it from over‐harvest. Harvested ginseng is certified through this 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 in China and Korea, for properties that putatively promote good health. High quality native ginseng root continues to be in great demand on the international market, and prices for wild American ginseng continue to increase. In 2013, at times, prices surpassed the $1,000 per pound mark. During the 2013‐2014 season, the program licensed 19 ginseng dealers and 186 ginseng collectors in the state. Over the 2013‐2014 harvest and sales season, the certification program inspected, collected size and age data from, weighed, and certified 124.06 pounds of dry wild ginseng root, 6.0 pounds of green wild ginseng root, 125.25 pounds of artificially propagated dry ginseng rootand 112.25 pounds of artificially propagated green ginseng root. (For the purposes of this report, wild‐simulated ginseng has been classified as artificially propagated.) The wild harvest and certification numbers are about 20 % less than the numbers for dry wild ginseng and 46% less than those for artificially propagated dry ginseng as compared to 2012‐2013. However, the amount of green ginseng root certified in the 2013‐ 2014 season represents a greater than four‐fold increase over that recorded for 2012‐2013. This may represent an increasing demand for the domestic use of fresh ginseng in the U.S. market, and a new type of ginseng buyer licensing with a state ginseng dealer’s license. When root is sold in a green (fresh) condition, it generally weighs about 3x the weight of the same root when dried. If this is taken into consideration, the overall harvest of ginseng in Maryland in 2013‐2014 was about 23% higher than in 2012‐2013. As is generally the case, fluctuations in the amount of Maryland ginseng certified and sold, likely reflects the demand and pricing on the international market, and does not necessarily reflect the status or abundance of wild American ginseng in Maryland. Harvest and sales data were gathered and reports were submitted in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and CITES requirements. The amount of ginseng cultivated, including woods‐grown and wild‐simulated designations in Maryland, and certified by the department continues to keep pace with 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. There were many calls to the Ginseng Management Program coordinator this year, inquiring not only about the new ginseng regulations, but also how to grow ginseng on one’s own property. With an increased interest in and production of American ginseng in Maryland as an alternative agricultural crop, harvest pressure on wild ginseng may be reduced, in turn, allowing wild ginseng populations in Maryland to rebound. Annual questionnaires mailed to ginseng collectors and dealers at time of licensing were modified in 2013 to gather information on program participant’s concerns relative to the new moratorium placed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on ginseng harvest on all state managed property, including State forests and wildlife management areas. Many of the respondents continue to express concern that the incidence of out‐of season poaching of wild ginseng in Maryland remains high. There was also concern expressed about the lack of regulatory enforcement relative to ginseng harvest in general, and an overall sentiment that prevention of legally licensed collectors from harvesting on state managed land would actually promote poaching as there will be fewer legal harvesters active to report illegal activity. Most participants in the Maryland Ginseng Management Program view themselves as stewards and protectors of a natural heritage. In 2013, MDA continued to evaluate harvest trends and watch for positive developments resulting from a regulation change made July 1, 2010. As of that date, the harvest season for wild American ginseng in Maryland was changed from 20 August‐15 December to 1 September 1‐ 15 December. This change effectively gives the ginseng fruit longer to ripen, on average, and insures a higher percentage viability of seed. This will allow wild ginseng populations a better opportunity for

7 of 12 recovery from harvest pressures. It remains to be seen if these changes have affected any population increase in the field. It is expected that any change will be gradual, and that detection of positive trends may not happen for several years. This revision also complies with harvest season modifications highly recommended by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to not only bring all states with wild American ginseng populations into harmony in terms of parallel harvest season dates, but is also based on long term research that indicates the change is necessary to insure long term survival of wild American ginseng in its native range. To date, neighboring states of West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania have made the recommended changes to their harvest season.

Weed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plant Protection and Weed Management Section entomologists and staff continued to work with the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration (SHA) to conduct an IPM program to provide biological control to certain targeted weed species on SHA right of ways.

Weed IPM research activities were continued on State Highway Administration (SHA) rights of ways, using funding from SHA, but were suspended at field plots at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, and for the most part curtailed at the MDA facility at Cheltenham, due to lack of funding and staff. MDA weed management and biological control research projects have been conducted over each of the past 16 years, and have involved cooperation with the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, the Maryland National Capitol Park and Planning Commission, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (both ARS and APHIS), the U.S. Forest Service, and private citizens. Integrated pest management investigations now target the suppression of mile‐a‐minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata, through use of biological control. MDA personnel rear, release and monitor biological control agents for this problematic weed species. Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, a target of earlier biological control work by MDA, continues to be monitored by MDA Plant Protection and Weed Management program staff. Over the past 16 years, research has focused on one or more of the following: the evaluation of organisms for potential biocontrol of thistles, purple loosestrife, and mile‐a‐minute weed, testing herbicide formulation efficacy for thistle and Japanese stiltgrass management, testing the effects of the rosette disease on multiflora rose and other rose species and cultivars, 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. MDA is now focused strictly on biological control of mile‐a‐minute weed using very specific insect biological control agents. Currently, MDA is in the second year of a two year agreement with the Landscape Operations Division of the Maryland State Highway Administration to administer a program to continue efforts at biological control driven suppression of mile‐a‐minute weed on State highway right of ways. This program includes lab and greenhouse rearing and field release and monitoring of the weevil, latipes. Funding for rearing and release of the weevil is provided in part by SHA and in part by USDA APHIS. In 2013, MDA staff continued a rearing program for the mile‐a‐minute weevil, . The program involves both rearing of the host plant, mile‐a‐minute weed, as well as the weevil. The host plants are grown in the MDA greenhouse in Annapolis, MD. In 2013, over 2,000 P.perfoliata plants were grown. At the MDA Plant Protection and Weed Management Section, Insect Rearing Lab, MDA staff reared over 3,400 weevils in 2013. Of those reared, over 2,000 were released at 10 sites.

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Release numbers were supplemented by 2,000 additional weevils acquired from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insects Laboratory. Weevils were released in two counties where no prior releases had been made: Garrett and Somerset. R. latipes has now been released by MDA staff in the following Maryland counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel , Baltimore, Carrol, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Washington, and Wicomico. MDA continued to partner with the University of Delaware in a regional mile‐a‐minute weed biological control program. In this program, the University of Delaware coordinates a supply of mile‐a‐ minute weevils provided by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. The MDA entomologist coordinating the project in Maryland chooses and coordinates sites for release, makes the field releases, coordinates and/or performs the monitoring of the release sites and the impact of the weevils on mile‐ a‐minute weed, and collects and collates data, which is then presented to the primary research coordinator for the regional project at the University of Delaware.

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, it 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 Maryland Department of Agriculture may enter into an agreement with a county or political subdivision to provide technical and financial assistance for implementing a weed control program. A weed control advisory committee has been established in each of 16 participating counties, with representatives from farming organizations, governmental agencies, local farmers and other property owners. Each committee provides advice 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 herbicide treatments 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 complaints. The weed control program provides no grant assistance to the 16 participating counties. The County Grant Agreements have subsequently been rewritten as Cooperative Agreements. The county programs have had to rely on increased spray revenues or fee for services to offset the loss of the financial component. Spray revenue for all the county programs was in excess of a million dollars. The county programs are supervised by state personnel as specified by agreement.

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Noxious weed advisory notices were mailed to 222 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. 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, and knotweed. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a federal noxious weed that was first detected in 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. There are currently 10 sites in Garrett County that have undergone several years of treatments. Only six sites needed treatment in Maryland this year. Two new sites in Baltimore County, 2 sites in Garrett County, and 2 in Harford County were treated. Frederick County’s Weed Control Program treated the hogweed plants in Baltimore County and the Montgomery County Weed Control Program provided the spray crew and materials to treat the hogweed in Garrett County. Harford County’s Weed Control Program accomplished the Harford County applications. An eradication effort is a multi‐year effort.

The Weed Control staff partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the 14th 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 herbicide (Rodeo®) applied in the nine Eastern Shore counties for spraying phragmites. Total spray revenue for phragmites control was more than $85,000 for treating approximately 143 acres in 260 locations in 14 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). It is thought that seed contamination at planting is responsible for the occurrence and spread of noxious weeds in these plantings. Due to the likelihood of weed problems occurring on land in these programs, spraying services were offered for noxious weed control.

Plant Protection and Weed Management Summary of Activities CY2011 CY2012 CY2013 Beekeepers Registered 1,616 1,782 1,821 Honeybee Colonies Registered 11,844 13,924 14,711 Honeybee Colonies Inspected 3,244 3,841 2,993 Ginseng Dealers Registered 16 16 19 Ginseng Collectors Licensed 323 291 186 Nurseries Certified 334 330 326 Plant Dealers and Brokers Licensed 1,506 1,362 1334 Phytosanitary Certificates Issued 266 364 693 Plant Pest Surveys # target pests 33 49 71 Plant Pest Surveys # samples processed 19,340 6,820 4,874 Target Pests Detected 11 13 26 Management decisions based on target pest detected 168 57 133 Number of noxious weed advisory notices issued 188 147 222

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Other Activities During 2013, 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 MDA 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, MDA has been able to disseminate information on many of the serious pests cited in this report. MDA continued to administer basic and specialist examinations for the Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist program. This program was developed by the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Associations (MNLA) to raise and improve the professional standards of Maryland’s nursery, landscape, and garden center industries by giving special recognition to individuals who have shown a high level of competence in the principals and practices of these industries. Certification also allows this high level of attainment to be recognized by the gardening public. This voluntary program is available to those wishing to demonstrate their horticultural proficiency. After meeting a combination of educational and work experience, and studying the written manual which is the heart of the program, an applicant must pass a comprehensive examination to be certified. The examination includes both written and practical elements that are set up, proctored, and graded by MDA staff. The actual certification is issued and maintained by MNLA. The Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist program study guide is in the process of its first major revision.

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New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food

Lorraine S. Merrill, Commissioner

New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food Division of Plant Industry Report to the Eastern Plant Board

Summary of 2012 and 2013 Activities

Table 1: Apiary Program:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Registered apiaries 245 274 293 306 New apiary registrants 34 30 19 13 No. of apiary inspections 11 19 9 22 No. colonies inspected 24 48 21 38 No. colonies entering the state 500 500 500 500 No. beekeepers meetings 18 25 25 12 attended by Division personnel No. bee school classes 7 6 2 0 participated in by Division personnel

Apiary registration is voluntary and free in New Hampshire. There are fees incurred for apiary inspections at the request of the beekeeper. The Division has a part-time bee inspector who, with assistance from full-time Division personnel conducts inspections (Table 1). In 2012, the principle problems to bee health detected were varroa mite, wax moth, mice and one colony with suspected European Foulbrood. The sample was declared negative by the USDA testing lab. In 2013, the principle problems to bee health detected were varroa mite, queen problems, mice, American Foulbrood, and a lack of adequate food stores.

National Honey Bee Survey, 2011-2012:

The Division participated in a honey bee survey funded by the 2011 Farm Bill to document the presence/absence of several honey bee diseases, parasites, and pests in New Hampshire. The

1 New Hampshire apiary inspector and the State Survey Coordinator (SSC) collected samples of bees and the contents of one brood comb from eight colonies in each of 25 apiaries. Live bees were mailed immediately to the Bee Research Lab in Beltsville, Maryland, whereas bee samples in alcohol were sent in lots of 8 or 9 as more apiaries were sampled. Apis cerana, slow paralysis virus, and the Tropilaelaps mite were not detected in any of the samples. Varroa mites were found in all samples, and deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus, and Nosema ceranae were found in several samples. There was very limited detection of Israeli acute paralysis virus and all samples were negative for chronic bee paralysis virus, acute bee paralysis virus, slow bee paralysis virus, Nosema apis, tracheal mites, and Apis mellifera capensis.

Bee Rules Adopted, 2013:

In 2013, the Division went through rulemaking for the Division’s expired beekeeper rules. Significant changes to the previous version included removal of several non-regulated pests and increasing the role of the inspector in determining efficacious treatment of regulated apiary pests. The rulemaking process found a discrepancy in the beekeeping statutes that limits penalty provisions for violations of the beekeeping rules and statutes. This discrepancy will be addressed in future legislative sessions.

Nursery program

Table 2: Licensees, nursery and hemlock inspections: 2010 2011 2012 2013 Licensed plant dealers 635 700 725 746 Newly licensed plant dealers 24 53 50 13 Nursery inspections 250 152 119 120 Hemlocks inspected as per 746 2,212 2,780 2,122+ quarantine

In New Hampshire, those selling rooted plant material must be licensed with the state as a Plant Dealer. There are no separate licenses for wholesalers or retailers, or for plant breeders versus retailers. The cost of the license is $25.00 per annum per location, with entities selling less than $3,000 of plants in a year exempt from the license fee.

The number of hemlocks imported into the state continues to increase dramatically. Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) also continues to spread in the state, with new populations detected in Belknap, Carroll, and Merrimack Counties, so that seven of New Hampshire’s ten counties now have known infestations of HWA. However, hemlock continues to be a highly valued forest and landscape tree in the state. It is the third most abundant tree species in New Hampshire’s forests, and the only species found in every forest type in the state. Every mammal in the state is dependent on hemlock for some part of their habitat needs, and hemlock is an important part of water cycling in New Hampshire’s waterways. Although 7 of 10 of New Hampshire’s counties have known infestations of HWA, this pest is by no means widespread in these counties. At this point, the objective of the quarantine is to continue to reduce the incursion of HWA into the state on nursery stock and hemlock wood products, and to slow the spread throughout the state.

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Significant changes to the hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine were enacted prior to the 2014 season. These changes were in response to the growing HWA populations both within and without the State of New Hampshire. These changes allow import of clean hemlock (Hemlock canadensis and caroliniana are the only Hemlock regulated by the quarantine) stock into the State’s seven infested counties (Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford) from any licensed plant dealer with pre-notification and a potential inspection before release of sale. The new quarantine also permits the movement of hemlocks from quarantined counties into New Hampshire’s three non-quarantined counties with a NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food- issued compliance agreement to chemically treat the hemlocks prior to shipment or a variance to held the hemlocks in post-entry quarantine for the period of one year. All NH Plant Dealers and landscapers selling hemlocks shall provide information on the sale of hemlocks to the Division of Plant Industry by Dec. 31st of each calendar year.

CAPS program:

Nursery survey 2012:

A visual survey for plant pests (listed below) likely to be detected in nursery stock. High-volume nurseries were selected for the survey. In 2012, fifty nurseries were surveyed across nine of New Hampshire’s counties (no nurseries surveyed in Sullivan County).

Targets of 2012 Nursery Survey: Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Longhorned beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) Oak splendor beetle (Agrilus biguttatus) Light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) Oak ambrosia beetle (Platypus quercivorus) European oak (Scolytus intricatus)

In addition to the visual survey, a total of ten light brown apple moth pheromone traps were hung at five “high volume” nurseries. No pests were detected. A suspect moth in a LBAM trap was determined to be Sparganothis fruitworm, which shares a pheromone component with LBAM.

Nursery survey 2013:

A visual survey for plant pests (listed below) likely to be detected in nursery stock. Additional high- volume nurseries importing material were selected for the survey, In 2013, forty high volume nurseries were surveyed across all ten of New Hampshire’s counties.

Targets of 2013 Nursery Survey: Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Citrus longhorned beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) Oak splendor beetle (Agrilus biguttatus) Light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) European oak bark beetle (Scolytus intricatus)

3 Small white-marmorated longhorned beetle (Monochamus sutor) Tremex woodwasp (Tremex fuscicornis) Boxwood blight; leaf and stem blight (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum) Late blight (Phytophthora infestans)

Exotic woodborer / bark beetle survey 2012:

Thirty-two traps were deployed at sixteen sites in Coös County to look for the presence of exotic woodborers and bark beetles (listed below). Pheromone-baited Lindgren funnel traps and cross-vane panel traps were deployed. Collections from traps were made between May 1 and August 25, 2012. Collected specimens were sorted, stored, and identified. No suspect beetles were detected.

Targets of 2012 Exotic Woodborer / Bark Beetle Survey:

European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) Red-haired pine bark beetle (Hylurgus ligniperda) Brown spruce (Tetropium fuscum) Japanese pine sawyer (Monochamus alternatus)

Genera of beetles collected 2012:

Bark beetles: Cryphalus, Crypturgus, Dendroctonus, Dryocoetes, Gnathotrichus, , Ips, Monarthrum, Orthotomicus, Pityokteines, Polygraphus, Tomicus, , Xyleborinus, Xyleborus

Longhorn beetles: Acmaeops, Asemum, Clytus, Evodinus, Judolia, Microclytus, Microgoes, Pygoleptura, Rhagium, Strictoleptura, Tetropium, Xylotrechus

Exotic woodborer / bark beetle survey 2013:

Forty-eight traps were deployed at twenty-four locations in Coös and Grafton Counties to look for the presence of exotic woodborers and bark beetles (listed below). Pheromone-baited Lindgren funnel traps and cross-vane panel traps were deployed. Collections from traps were made between May 1 and August 25, 2013. Collected specimens were sorted, stored, and identified. No suspect beetles were detected.

Targets of 2013 Exotic Woodborer / Bark Beetle Survey:

European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) Red-haired pine bark beetle (Hylurgus ligniperda) Brown spruce longhorn beetle (Tetropium fuscum) Japanese pine sawyer (Monochamus alternatus)

Genera of beetles collected 2012:

Bark beetles: Cryphalus, Crypturgus, Dendroctonus, Dryocoetes, Gnathotrichus, Hylastes, Hylurgops, Ips, Lymantor, Monarthrum, Orthotomicus, Pityokteines, Pityophthorus, Polygraphus, Tomicus, Trypodendron, Xyleborinus, Xyleborus, Xylosandrus

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Longhorn beetles: Acmaeops, Asemum, Astylopsis, Clytus, Eupogonius, Evodinus, Gaurotes, Judolia, Liopinus, Microgoes, Monochamus, Pidonia, Pogonocherus, Psenocerus, Pygoleptura, Rhagium, Spondylis, Strictoleptura, Tetropium, Trachysida, Trigonarthris, Xylotrechus

State-specific 2012 EAB street-tree survey:

Emerald ash borer has the potential to be moved long-distances in nursery stock. In 2012 the State of New Hampshire received funding from the CAPS program to identify areas of the state that had undergone land use change since 2002 and to survey these properties for both the frequency with which ash was planted and to examine the ash for signs of EAB infestation. Using remote-sensing technology, Dr. Hanavan at the US Forest Service field station in Durham, NH detected 2,476 sites in the state which had undergone land use change in the prior 10 years (2002-2012). All of these sites were then examined in Google Earth. Many of them were eliminated from the survey because they were timber sales, road development, manufacturing/trucking locations, associated with grave sites in cemeteries, and additions of swimming pools to backyards. These sites were considered to be very low-probability for plantings of nursery stock.

Table 4: Summary statistics of EAB community visual survey sites across New Hampshire counties

County Sites Sites Total # ash # ash trees / identified surveyed trees site surveyed Belknap 17 17 31 1.8 Carroll 6 6 0 0 Cheshire 5 5 46 9.2 Grafton 10 10 91 9.1 Hillsborough 140 40 74 1.9 Merrimack 58 58 240 4.1 Rockingham 97 48 73 1.5 Strafford 29 29 46 1.6

Preliminary surveys were conducted to confirm that site removal from the survey was justified. After this initial examination of sites to focus the potential survey sites, 362 commercial and residential sites appropriate for survey remained. Sites were distributed in eight of New Hampshire’s ten counties (no sites in Coös or Sullivan Counties) (Table 4, Fig. 1A). Of these sites, a total of 213 sites were surveyed in forty-seven towns in 2012. These sites were clustered along the I-93 and I-89 corridors (Fig. 1E).

In addition to surveying for ash and EAB, several other genera of trees were included in the survey to both compare popularity of ash as a landscape tree in developments no older than 10 years as well as to maximize detection efforts by looking at ALB host trees for signs of ALB infestation. In addition to ash, hemlock, maple, willow, birch, horse chestnut, and mountain ash were included in the survey. For comparison to usage of trees in landscaping, boxwoods, azaleas, and 5 A B C

D E

Figure 1: Counties in New Hampshire (A). Towns in New Hampshire included in the survey by mean density of ash (in red) (B), birch (in blue) (C), and maples (in green) (D) planted at surveyed newly developed sites within the town. Color gradations are from highest (darkest) to lowest (lightest). Color groupings were based on quartiles of the mean for included counties or towns. Land use change sites detected 2002-2012 using remote sensing technology determined by the USFS (E). Individual 6 sites in (E) are denoted as a red dot. Table 5: Numbers of plants per genera rhododendrons were counted in these developments. Genus # individuals in surveyed developments Table 5 indicates that ash trees were the third most common Maple 3,656 landscape tree included in the Horse chestnut 3 survey (following maple and birch). Analysis of number of ash by Birch 914 county as compared to birch and Ash 601 maple (Table 6 and Fig. 1B-1D) Willow 37 showed a high number of ash planted in Cheshire County. There Mountain ash 4 were only five identified sites with Hemlock 137 land use change in this county, and ash was highly planted at a Total trees included: 5,352 commercial development and Boxwood 638 urban housing development in the Keene area. This number was Rhododendrons and azaleas 6,070 higher than might be expected Total shrubs included: 6,708 based on plantings of maple and

Table 6: Distribution of surveyed plants in three genera across counties

Maple Birch Ash

Total Mean Rank Total Mean Rank Total Mean Rank per site per site per site Belknap 185 10.9 8 28 1.6 8 31 1.8 5 Carroll 70 11.7 7 35 5.8 2 0 0 8 Cheshire 74 14.8 4 26 5.2 5 46 9.2 1 Grafton 249 24.9 1 53 5.3 3 91 9.1 2 Hillsborough 927 23.2 2 262 6.6 1 74 1.9 4 Merrimack 825 14.2 5 178 3.1 6 240 4.1 3 Rockingham 967 20.1 3 254 5.3 4 73 1.5 7 Strafford 347 12 6 78 2.7 7 46 1.6 6 birch in the same area. Keene, “The Elm City” is renowned for its tree-lined main street area, which is predominantly planted in ash. It may be that new developments in the greater Keene area have tried to emulate the feel of Main Street with high–density plantings of ash. This finding in Cheshire County is consistent with overall trends regarding utilization of ash nursery stock in this survey.

The locations with the highest numbers of ash were all planned communities of commercial developments, single-family homes, condos, or retirement communities where a single landscaper was responsible for planting and maintaining trees. Condo associations, apartment complexes, and

7 retirement communities were classified as “residential managed” and neighborhoods with single- family homes and no common landscaping motif were classified as “residential independent” unless informed otherwise by resident or development manager. When broken out by development type (commercial, residential managed, and residential independent), ash was planted predominantly in residential managed and commercial developments.

Emerald ash borer was not detected in this survey. A few of the ash exhibited crown die-back and were noted for potential return visits, but there were no D-shaped exit holes, bark splits, woodpecker activity or galleries detected. Asian longhorned beetle was also not detected by this survey. One of the most valuable aspects of this survey was that it provided data on where ash has been highly planted in the state over the last ten years. Neighborhoods were identified where ash was the dominant landscape tree. At least one of these high-ash communities is within New Hampshire’s the management area and outreach has occurred to the impacted homeowners association.

Emerald ash borer national survey

No emerald ash borer have been detected in a purple panel trap in New Hampshire. Detection efforts have also been conducted by the Division of Forests and Lands with trap trees and with the bio-surveillance of the predatory wasp, Cerceris sp. Prior to 2013, no emerald ash borer have been detected with these methods. Significant community outreach and training has also been conducted across the state, emphasizing, in particular, “blonding” associated with woodpeckers foraging for emerald ash borer. All confirmed emerald ash borer detections in New Hampshire have been found by reports of blonding, and all reports have thus far been confined to Merrimack County.

Table 7: Emerald ash borer purple panel trap survey Year Counties surveyed NH Trap total NHDAMF Trap # # EAB detected # 2010 10 146 146 0 2011 10 150 100 0 2012 10 350 50 0 2013 10 500 43 0 Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project:

2012: Included outreach events (Table 8), and information distributed by social media, articles in papers and trade journals, a Governor’s Proclamation of emerald ash borer awareness week, radio shows, and a PSA that ran on local television station WMUR. Development of a scripted PowerPoint show for use by volunteers managed by UNH Cooperative Extension began.

2013: The program transitioned to being driven by UNH Cooperative Extension. As such, the coordinator position was not funded, and funding was distributed between UNH Cooperative Extension and NH Ag in the Classroom. Ag in the Classroom is responsible for outreach to educators and UNH Cooperative Extension is responsible for all other FPOSP-related work. Principle goals include completion of the scripted PowerPoint show, and work with two communities in the state to develop EAB community preparedness plans (Loudon and Lebanon). Between September 1, and December 31, 2013, four events reaching 450+ people were conducted, with a variety of social 8 media posts, email notifications, radio interviews, and articles in newspapers and trade journals.

UNH Cooperative Extension was funded for continued Forest Pest Outreach as part of the 2014 Farm Bill cycle.

Table 8: Forest Pest Outreach 2012 (September 1, 2012—August 31, 2013) Events:

Targeted Type of Event # of Events # of Attendees audience Expos General public & children 2 225 Seasonal fairs / Large public General public & children 7 1,400 events Community groups, general Small public events 29 1,302 public Teacher outreach and training Educators & children 2 50 Children 88 2,085 Volunteers 7 178 Direct outreach to: Industry 28 1,120 Decision makers 7 85 Totals: 170 6,445+

Rules and regulatory changes:

2013 Bee Rules

Beekeeper Rules had been expired for several years and required re-adoption. Changes are summarized on page 2.

Firewood quarantine—2013

Changes include removal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an area eligible for a compliance agreement for import of untreated firewood. This quarantine can be found at: www.agriculture.nh.gov/divisions/plant-industry/firewood-quarantine.htm

White pine blister rust quarantine—2013

In 2011, white pine blister rust was detected on resistant and immune varieties of commercial currants and gooseberries. A moratorium on sales of currants and gooseberries was enacted. Division of Forests and Lands in the Department of Resources and Economic Development working with the US Forest Service conducted a survey of permitted Ribes in the state to determine the extent of the infestation. It was determined that the level of incidence and severity of infestation on “immune” Ribes was equivalent to that of the “susceptible” varieties. Collaborators in Canada and Cornell used genetic markers to determine that the infecting strain matched one recently detected in 9 Canada. This disease strain has overcome the immunity mechanism causing previously immune varieties to lose their immunity. The quarantine was updated to allow planting of the following resistant Ribes (with a permit):

Crandall, Willoughby, Rondom, White Currant 1301, Jostaberry, Jahns Prairie, Captivator, Careless, Clark, Crown Bob, Downing, Howards Lancer, Sabine.

Information on this quarantine, which is a Department of Resources and Economic Development regulation, can be found at: www.nhdfl.org/permits-and-applications/ribes-permits.aspx.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Quarantine 2014

This quarantine was updated to reflect the changing status of hemlock woolly adelgid populations within and without New Hampshire (see page 2-3 for summary). More information on the quarantine, as well as supporting documents can be found at: www.agriculture.nh.gov/divisions/plant-industry/hemlock-woolly-adelgid.htm

Emerald ash borer quarantine—2013

An internal quarantine on the movement of federally-regulated articles associated with emerald ash borer was enacted for Merrimack County. This interior state quarantine mirrors the federal emerald ash borer quarantine. Information about the State of New Hampshire’s emerald ash borer program, as well as the quarantine can be found at: www.agriculture.nh.gov/divisions/plant-industry/emerald-ash-borer.htm www.nhbugs.org

Emerald ash borer in New Hampshire

Report of heavy woodpecker activity on an ash tree (Fig. 2) off of I-93 in Concord at the end of March, 2013 resulted in the first emerald ash borer detection in the state. Following the confirmation of the detection, an interior emerald ash borer quarantine was enacted for Merrimack County. Multiple public information and training meetings were held for nurserymen, arborists, the wood products industry, landscapers, decision makers, and the general public.

Following the detection, the Division of Forests and Lands with the Department of Resources and Economic Development conducted a destructive delimitation survey in the Greater Concord area. A cell grid was constructed around the original detection, and surveyors went to specified plots along transects radiating from this initial detection. Surveyors looked within each cell for ash, and selected two ash within each plot to be sampled. In a cell, ash exhibiting signs of emerald ash borer infestation were selected over healthy ash for survey. Tree crews then either removed those trees or portions of those trees for samples. Samples were returned to a central warehouse facility in Concord where samples were peeled and examined for evidence of emerald ash borer. This six week survey was coordinated with more than 70 volunteers from multiple agencies in New 10 Hampshire and neighboring states, organizations and private businesses donating their time. Overall, 112 square miles were included in the survey, and 296 trees from 195 cells were sampled. A total of 951 bolts were examined for evidence of emerald ash borer infestation and approximately 5% (~ 15) of the sampled ash were positive for emerald ash borer (Fig. 3). The delimitation survey found Fig. 2. Original EAB-positive tree in Concord, NH. The yellow box that the EAB infestation in highlights the woodpecker activity that resulted in the concerned Concord stretches from citizen call. northern Concord to Northern Bow and runs mostly with the Merrimack River.

The response to emerald ash borer in New Hampshire is divided between the regulatory response (NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food), the management response (NH Department of Resources and Economic Development), and outreach/education (UNH Cooperative Extension).

Regulatory response: In the 2013 season, twenty compliance agreements with lumber and firewood kilns, mills, chippers, and loggers were issued. Many of these were issued to loggers moving regulated material to the single certified out-of-county processor during the non-flight season. To date, out-of- county processors have lacked the economic motive to become compliant to handle regulated materials, making the market for Merrimack County ash fairly limited. This is likely to change as processors become more familiar with the requirements of the quarantine, and producers and forest products lobbyists exert more pressure for additional markets.

Fig. 3. Concord area EAB infestation as Management response: Various determined by delimitation survey. management techniques, including select harvests, use of trap trees and trap tree sink

11 sites, targeted insecticide use and biocontrol releases are planned for 2014 and in the future. Heightened state-wide monitoring programs are also in place.

Outreach: The main source of information about emerald ash borer in New Hampshire is www.nhbugs.org, a UNH Cooperative Extension- managed website that was created as part of a Farm Bill-funded FPOSP project and which pre- dates the emerald ash borer detection. Extension has also organized or co-sponsored several targeted trainings to municipal workers, arborists, landscapers, nurseries, and commercial firewood vendors. In addition to Cooperative Extension, New Fig. 4. Concord area delimitation survey Hampshire’s utility companies have been actively training their line-clearing crews about EAB detection and quarantine issues, and arborists and arborist supply companies are also beginning to reach out to their clientele and coverage areas regarding plans for ash inventory should an emerald ash borer detection occur in or near to their community.

Firewood quarantine enforcement activities:

The State of New Hampshire has two quarantines related to firewood movement; an internal emerald ash borer quarantine of Merrimack County and the external firewood quarantine. The Forest Rangers, within the Department of Resources and Economic Development conducted multiple firewood enforcement activities in 2013. These included a firewood checkpoint on route I-93 heading north through the Franconia Notch, and checkpoints at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) to coordinate with the July and September NASCAR races.

Camping activities, including campfires, are part of the experience of attending a race at the NHMS, with NASCAR race weekends constituting the largest camping events in New Hampshire. These weekends provide an opportunity to provide outreach to a diverse group of out-of-state tourists and to gather information about trends of firewood movement into New Hampshire. The NHMS has been a cooperator with the State on firewood efforts and pro-actively engaged with the State’s exterior firewood quarantine and outreach since it was enacted. Since 2011, there has been information posted on their website when making a reservation, and information about the quarantine and risks of moving firewood have been included in mailings to ticket holders. There have also been multiple informational displays at the racetrack that have included information about the risks of moving firewood and the State’s regulations. Starting in 2012, there has been an on-site vendor of heat- treated firewood.

For the 2013 NASCAR race weekends, an out-of-state firewood checkpoint was established at the gate used by campers at the NHMS. The checkpoint was on the racetrack’s property, which alleviated concerns about congestion on public roads. The checkpoint only addressed transportation of out-of-state firewood, as the NHMS is located within New Hampshire’s emerald ash borer quarantined county. Campers with out-of-state plates were asked about their transportation of firewood. If out-of-state firewood was detected (self-reported or transported in the open), a warning

12 Fig. 5: Confiscated firewood from external firewood quarantine enforce- ment activity, July 2013

Table 9: Percentage of race fans familiar with NH’s or summons was issued, and the firewood or any firewood movement regulations was confiscated and destroyed at a local facility. Vouchers had been pre-ordered by Region % the Department of Resources and Economic Development from the on-site Quebec 95 vendor, and most violators received vouchers for firewood before the supply New Brunswick 92 was exhausted. The NH Rangers planned, Ontario 92 coordinated and oversaw the enforcement activities associated with these events, New York 82 while support staff came from the NH Connecticut 81 Department of Resources and Economic Development, NH Department of Vermont 79 Agriculture, Markets & Food, and the USDA Massachusetts 76 APHIS PPQ offices in the region. The checkpoint was manned from 9 am to 9 pm Maine 72 the Wednesday through Friday before the Florida 70 race, as this is when the majority of out-of- Rhode Island 61 state campers arrive. As time and personnel allowed, a tally of awareness of firewood regulations was taken. Visitors to the Speedway came from at least 17 US states (CA, CT, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, ME, MT, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, VT) and five Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec). When only states/provinces with more than ten individuals were included in the tally (Table 9), the greatest awareness of regulations was from the Canadian provinces, with northeastern states with varying levels of familiarity. Over the two events, notices and summonses were issued to 195 individuals who imported out-of-state firewood. This represents a small portion of out-of-state race fans that camp at the NHMS. Most of the violations, and indeed most of the visitors, were from the surrounding New England states. 13 Firewood moved as dunnage

During a routine nursery inspection at a Merrimack County nursery, Division of Plant Industry inspectors noticed piles of firewood around the nursery. When asked about the firewood, the nursery staff indicated that it was coming in as dunnage with large B&B material from other states, and that they were burning it periodically to get rid of it. This nursery was one that had remaining ash nursery stock that they were unable to find a market for Fig. 6: Firewood used as dunnage for shipment of B&B following the emerald ash borer stock from within the federal EAB quarantine area. detection and was particularly sensitive to the issue of firewood movement. The nursery provided information as to which shipments had come in with firewood used as dunnage, some of which was ash. It was determined that multiple shippers from several states were using firewood as packing material when shipping their nursery stock. The relevant State Departments of Ag were contacted, and they provided information to their shippers about the concerns with this practice.

Invasive Plant Efforts:

2012

Following is a summary of the invasive plant control project initiated in 2012 in NH by NHDAMF Invasives Species Coordinator, Doug Cygan, through the CAPS program. This work was conducted by Special Permit with the NH Division of Pesticide Control and followed the guidelines thereof.

Herbicide applications were conducted to control invasive plants of state concern from August 8, 2012 through October 24, 2012. The treatment areas include the right-of-ways and medians for several state and interstate NH highway systems (Table 10). The total length of highways canvassed and where treatments occurred was approximately 80 miles. The treatment methods mainly consisted of low volume basal bark for most woody plants species, including Autumn olive- Elaeagnus umbellata, Glossy buckthorn-Frangula alnus, Honeysuckle-Lonicera spp., and Burning bush-Euonymus alatus. Approximately 2,690 woody invasive plant stems were treated with a 20% solution of Garlon 4 Ultra by this method. Foliar spray applications were used for the control of Japanese knotweed-Polygonum cuspidatum, Glossy buckthorn-Rhamnus frangula (seedlings and saplings), and Japanese barberry-Berberis thunbergii. Approximately 23 acres of right-of-way were treated with a 4-5% solution of Roundup Pro Concentrate deployed as a foliar spray. Tracking of the treatment locations was documented using a camera with GPS logging capabilities. The photos were uploaded into Google Earth and appear on the maps where they were taken.

Mortality was observed on approximately 85% of woody invasives treated. The remaining 15% exhibited extensive, but not complete, dieback. Off-target impacts were minimal and limited to small patches of grass around the base of some of the target plants. The amount of herbicide used was kept to a minimum for experimental purposes.

14 Table 10: Invasive species demonstration project along State right-of-ways

Highway I-93 I-393 1A 1B 3 4 11 25 106 114 Approximate extent of highways 20 4 ¼ ¼ 11 3 1 9 20 11 where invasive species control mile miles mile mile mile mile mile mile mile miles work and surveys occurred (~80 s s s s s s s miles in total) Autumn olive-Elaeagnus umbellata √ √ √ √ √ √ Burning bush-Euonymus alatus √ √ √ √ Glossy buckthorn-Rhamnus frangula √ √ √ √ Honeysuckle-Lonicera spp. √ √ √ √ Japanese barberry-Berberis thun- √ √ √ bergii Japanese knotweed-Polygonum √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ cuspidatum Multiflora rose-Rose multiflora √ √ √

2013

Effort was coordinated by Mr. Doug Cygan, Invasive Species Coordinator for the State.

The treatments for the 2013 season were as follows:

Japanese knotweed – ~43 acres (this may seem high, but since there were a lot of sites that contained numerous small patches, it was easier to calculate the overall size of each treatment area) were treated using Roundup Pro Concentrate (Glyphosate) at 5% solution applied as a foliar spray. Once again the applications were done using both a backpack mist blower and a backpack pump sprayer treating the knotweed just after flowering. The treatments included unmanaged populations as well as follow-up applications to those plants that didn’t die off from the previous year’s work.

To avoid confusion/disorientation when treating numerous stands of Japanese knotweed that are randomly distributed throughout individual sites, I found that by painting several leaves with orange safety paint I was able to see what was treated and what wasn’t. I tried using a dye mixed into the solution, but found it wasn’t visible. For those populations that occur along highways, I painted the leaves that face oncoming traffic so that while driving I could see the orange paint and know that the area had already treated. As weeks and months go by, it’s easy to forget what’s been done and what hasn’t so this helped quite a bit.

Woody Invasive plants - ~7,000 stems were also treated once again using the low-volume basal bark banding method. The first few applications I used another product called Pathfinder II, also a triclopyr based herbicide that is premixed. And, once the sample of Pathfinder II ran out, I switched back to using Garlon 4 Ultra (Triclopyr), but at 22% solution diluted with Canola oil.

15 USDA permits:

2010 2011 2012 2013 525 0 2 5 526 33 40 55 30 BRS permit 2 25 17 9 588 1 2

Export certification:

2010 2011 2012 2013 State certificates issued 20 33 36 through PCIT Federal certificates issued 127 85 86 129 through PCIT Exporters requesting 2 3 5 8 inspection for international shipments

Arthropod identifications:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Ticks 92 62 54 30 Other 12 68 26 17

16

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 2013 ACTIVITIES

APIARY INSPECTION

During the 2013 season New Jersey had 1,696 registered beekeepers, a 7% increase compared to beekeepers registered in 2012. Currently, there are 2,322 apiaries in the state representing a 6% increase from the numbers reported in 2012. Division of Plant Industry staff examined 1,656 colonies in 195 apiaries for brood disease and parasites. While approximately 1.8% of the colonies inspected were found to contain European Foul Brood disease, no cases of American Foul Brood were found during our inspections. The findings of European Foul Brood represented an increase of 1.6% from the previous year. The Apiarist certified the bee yards of 19 beekeepers who sell nucs and queens, also up from the previous year. Over 1,000 nuc hives and 2,000 packages of bees were imported into New Jersey for sales to new or expanding beekeepers.

New Jersey apiaries experienced an average 31% winter death loss during the winter of 2012 - 2013, up from 21% the previous year. The winter was cold, and the spring was very wet and cool. Initially, the colonies looked healthy, producing good honey stores, through the blueberry pollination season. Afterwards, the honey crop became very poor and many beekeepers were sitting with empty supers. Some beekeepers reported a late summer and early fall honey crop. Many of the honey show entries were disqualified because of high moisture.

A statewide survey conducted on winter death loss showed that in 2013, beekeepers that did nothing to manage Varroa mites lost 48% of their colonies, while beekeepers that provided some level of treatment to control Varroa lost only 29% of their colonies. The Apiarist advised beekeepers on the importance of checking mite levels 2-3 weeks after treatment to make sure it was effective. After 6 years of surveying beekeepers in New Jersey about their management practices, we found that beekeepers that do nothing to control mites lost on average 46% of their colonies over the winter. Those beekeepers that do control mites lost about 23% of their colonies. Of the beekeepers that do control mites, those that provide control measures to their hives in July and

New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer • www.nj.gov/agriculture\ August have a significantly lower death loss than those that treat later in the year. Many beekeepers in New Jersey are now treating for Varroa mites at least twice a year.

A total of 15,611 honeybee colonies were brought into the state from Florida, Maryland, Louisiana, and South Carolina for commercial pollination of fruit crops, blueberries, and cranberries. The number of colonies coming in for pollination has been increasing every year for the past 4 years. The quality of the hives was good among the colonies that were inspected.

The Apiarist and seasonal inspector conducted three 3 day “Beginner Beekeeping” courses in conjunction with Rutgers University. A total of 240 new beekeepers attended these courses. The apiarist also assisted in three “Beginner Beekeeper” classes offered by branches of the New Jersey Beekeepers Association. Department staff explained diseases and parasites, bee biology, colony sanitation and management. Over 120 new beekeepers were trained in these classes in 2013. The Apiarist also taught a 2 day class for more advanced beekeepers. This class consisted of lectures in the morning followed by “hands on” activities during the afternoon session. One of the most requested topics of this class was proper treating for Varroa mite, and small scale queen rearing.

The Apiarist gave 23 presentations to various grower groups, health officer trainings, schools, and beekeeper meetings. The Department remains focused on education, because “an educated beekeeper is often a better beekeeper” and an educated public will better understand the importance of honey bees and their behavioral differences from wasps and hornets. There still remain many beekeepers that cannot identify bee diseases or mites. In addition, there is also a group of beekeepers who fail to control Varroa mite populations in colonies.

The Apiarist is actively encouraging New Jersey beekeepers to develop businesses selling New Jersey raised nucs and queens. The main goal is for these bee breeders to raise queens from colonies that successfully overwintered in the state and continue to produce a sound honey crop.

The Apiarist worked with the New Jersey Beekeepers Association to develop a beekeeping calendar to remind the beekeeper what needs to be accomplished for their hives on a month to month basis. The response to this educational tool in the New Jersey beekeeping community has been great. Beekeepers appreciated a visual reminder of the things they should be planning and doing on a monthly basis. In the fall of 2013 a contest was held for pictures from NJ beekeepers to be published in the calendar for 2014.

The Honey Bee Spill Response Plan was updated in 2013. This resulted from deficiencies in the old plan uncovered during an incident. A small spill occurred from a tractor trailer hauling bees through New Jersey to Maine. The load had shifted and the operator needed assistance in getting the colonies of bees resituated on the truck. Beekeepers were called in and assisted, but the Department’s contact list was outdated.

2 NURSERY INSPECTION PROGRAM

New Jersey Law requires that all nursery stock (hardy trees, shrub and perennials) sold in New Jersey be free of injurious pests, ensuring that ornamental plants purchased by consumers do not contain pests that could spread to other plants. Specific state quarantines and/or inspection programs also exist for Rose plants, Vegetable transplants and blueberry plants.

Nursery inspection staff inspected over 18,394 acres of nursery stock and 8,306,014 sq. ft. of greenhouse plant material in 2013 at 1,195 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.

Division of Plant Industry Nursery Inspection Staff continued “winter” inspections at major nurseries that ship product interstate. These inspections are completed in order to detect overwintering injurious insect pests. A reduction in the number of nursery/greenhouse locations has been observed in New Jersey. This data is corroborated by a 4% reduction in nursery acreage along with a 2% reduction of greenhouse square footage throughout the state compared to the previous year.

A total of 678 Nursery Plant Dealers (garden centers, box stores and landscape firms) were inspected. The list of certified nurseries and plant dealers was posted on the Division’s website and is updated monthly.

Blueberry Plant Certification Program Spring and fall inspections were completed for blueberry plant producers participating in the Blueberry Plant Certification Program. The spring phase of the “Blueberry Plant Certification Program” was completed by inspecting 41,928 “Mother Plants” (plants used for vegetative propagation). In 2013, a total of six nurseries participated in the certification program; three in Atlantic County, two in Burlington County and one in Gloucester County. Fall inspections of these plants at 10 nursery locations were also completed for the final certification of blueberry plants. For the certification program, over 2,656,109 blueberry plants were inspected, (41,928 mother plants; 1,078,079 nursery plants; 1,535,399 cuttings and 703 containers). Of the total plants inspected, 495 plants were found infected and destroyed (43 with stunt virus, 372 ring-spot virus and 100 dodder infestations).

A total of 326 Phytosanitary inspections were completed during the 2013 year. The Division's inspectors issued over 241 State Phytosanitary Certificates for material such as dormant and blooming bulb plants, assorted tree/shrub seedlings, blueberry and jasmine plants, poinsettia cuttings, assorted annual plugs, orchids and geranium cuttings for shipments to the Central, Western, Southern States and Puerto Rico. A total of 85 Federal Phytosanitary Certificates were issued enabling the export of poinsettia cuttings, assorted nursery stock, dormant bulbs, fruit scion wood and re-exports of Chilean blueberry fruit. Both state and federal phytosanitary requests are made and documented through the USDA-APHIS PCIT system.

3 A Multistate Inspection Training Session was hosted by the Division’s nursery inspection staff. A total of 21 inspectors from 8 northeastern states and 1 western state participated in this training. Two nurseries which produce blueberry and cranberry plants (Vaccinium spp) were visited during the training, and mock inspections were conducted by attendees utilizing “A Systems Approach to Nursery Certification” (SANC) process.

The systems approach process may ultimately become the preferred method of certification of nursery and greenhouse operations for interstate shipment. Similar training has occurred through-out the United States to increase uniformity to the methodology of inspections in every state.

Boxwood Blight, Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum had been confirmed to be infecting boxwood which was shipped to two adjoining states. Pathologist from these two states confirmed the find, as-well-as, an USDA official and our state plant pathologist. The southern New Jersey nursery received boxwood from a western state and repotted the plants into larger containers before reselling the plants to garden centers and other nurseries. The infected boxwood and other boxwood from the same shipments were destroyed and the remaining boxwood in the proximity of the infected plants has been “quarantined”. The quarantined boxwood was monitored for symptoms and released for sale after no infections occurred. This nursery has signed a compliance agreement with the Division to follow protocols in order to prevent such an occurrence in the future.

A total of five nurseries have signed into a “Boxwood Blight Cleanliness Program Compliance Agreement” with the Department to prevent the introduction and prevention of Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum, Boxwood Blight. These same nurseries have also renewed their agreements for 2014.

Japanese Beetle Harmonization allows for the shipment of plant material from a state which has Japanese beetle established to a state which has none or limited presence of the beetle. A compliance agreement was issued by the Division of Plant Industry to a

4 greenhouse operation to facilitate shipment of pepper and eggplant plants to all “Category 1” states, where Japanese beetle does not occur.

Four other greenhouse operations are under other compliance agreements developed by officials within Plant Industry and approved by the receiving states. These compliance agreements consist of requirements to eliminate the presence of other plant pests, such as European corn borer or Colorado potato beetle.

The White Pine Blister Rust quarantine regulations (N.J.A.C. 2:20-2) prohibit the planting of European Black Currant plants anywhere within the state, except under permit. The planting of red current and gooseberries is also prohibited in a protected area in the municipalities of Montague, Walpack Sandyston, and Vernon Townships in Sussex County; West Milford, Ringwood Borough and Wanaque Township in Passaic County; and Jefferson Township in Morris County. The Department has issued and monitored three permits for a total of 224 Ribes spp. plants grown for fruit production.

CANADIAN BLUEBERRY FRUIT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Thirty-two blueberry growers in southern New Jersey were approved to participate in the 2013 Canadian Blueberry Fruit Certification Program. Four growers were new to the program. Division staff trained each new grower concerning the pest management protocols for control of the blueberry fruit fly, Rhagoletis mendax. Fruit producers under the program are required to follow specific production protocols to eliminate all stages of blueberry maggot in their shipments into Canada.

The first statewide trap catch for the blueberry fruit fly was confirmed on June 11th. Participating growers were notified about the emergence via fax and email as to the necessary pest management steps for program compliance. Growers using the calendar spray method were to apply an insecticide to control blueberry maggot within 5 days of that date, and subsequent sprays were applied at 7-10 day intervals until the end of harvest or shipment to Canada. Growers using the integrated pest management method would set traps for the maggot and apply an insecticide to control blueberry maggot within 5 days of finding the first fly date, followed by subsequent sprays applied at 7-10 day intervals until the end of harvest.

Division staff monitored the pesticide application, shipping and cooking records for participating growers in accordance with the certification program protocols. The cool wet weather in the early part of the growing season delayed the ripening of the fruit and saturated the mature berries. Following that, high temperatures and plenty of sunlight for almost two weeks, caused the berries to soften quickly. Frequently, the field crews

5 were not able to pick all of the ripe fields before the quality of the berries became too poor for fresh packing and shipment to Canada. On top of the weather problems, the market for canning and freezing was significantly reduced, which forced many growers to abandon unpicked fields or to simply dump any excess berries. However, despite the many weather problems along with coordinating the picking and shipping operations, 21 growers in Atlantic County, 1 grower in Burlington County and 2 growers in Camden County shipped over 811,518 flats of fresh New Jersey blueberries, utilizing 406 certification labels into Canadian markets in 2013. This was 46,472 flats or 5% less than last year’s total shipments but was considered a good year by most growers.

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 United States.

A Small Grains Commodity Survey was conducted on 10 farms in 5 counties planted with barley, oats, rye or wheat. The target pests for this survey were the Vineyard Snail (Cernuella virgata), Owlet moth (Copitarsia spp.), European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana), and Philippine downy mildew (Peronosclerospora philippinensis).

Black light traps were deployed at all ten sites to trap for Copitarsia moth for one month. The traps were powered by solar panels allowing them to be deployed in any farm or field site even if there was no power source nearby. Traps were serviced 2-3 times per week and tap catches were stored in a freezer until screening. No suspect Copitarsia moths were detected. Additionally, Delta traps with pheromone lures were deployed at ten sites for European grapevine moth (EGVM) and were also maintained for one month. No suspect EGVM moths were identified.

The fields at these ten sites were also visually inspected for snails twice during the season. The first inspection was conducted in the summer and a follow up inspection was conducted in the fall. No snails were observed in the grain fields. Visual survey for Philippine downy mildew was conducted in the spring and no signs or symptoms of the disease were observed.

The Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) continued to expand its range and kill millions of ash trees throughout the Central United States the Mid-Atlantic States and parts of New England; and is found in Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. New Jersey participated in the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) National Survey in 2013. A total of 323 sites were selected and trapped by Division staff (305 sites) in partnership with the NJDEP NJ Forest Service (18 sites) and the USDA APHIS PPQ (56 sites). The survey was conducted in Burlington, Camden, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties using trapping locations determined by a US Forest Service computer model.

A loose grid of one km x one km squares scattered throughout the state were inspected

6 for host trees. A trap site was defined as any location containing ash trees where permission for trapping could be secured. For each grid exactly one trapping site was chosen.

Trapping sites included federal, state and county parks, wildlife management areas, private homes, campgrounds and farms. Lures were changed once and traps were inspected twice throughout the trapping season. Traps were initially prescreened by surveyors in the field and select insect specimens were collected and delivered to the Plant Laboratory for further screening. While no EAB was detected; four different native Agrilus species and numerous other buprestids were found.

Division of Plant Industry staff conducted a survey for Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) in 2013. Delta traps with pheromone lures were deployed at 118 locations in 15 counties. Traps were deployed in July and taken down in September. Lures were changed once per month and sticky cards were changed every other week. Traps were prescreened in the field by surveyors and suspect moths were delivered to the Plant Laboratory for further screening. No LBAM were detected during the survey. An additional 26 traps were deployed and maintained by Rutgers University. Rutgers results were all negative as well.

GYPSY MOTH SUPPRESSION

Populations of gypsy moth have declined to almost non-existent levels in the state as a result of effective treatments, heavy parasitism and increased activity of Entomophaga maimaiga during the spring of 2009. No spray program was conducted in the spring of 2013.

The 2013 statewide gypsy moth aerial defoliation survey showed a 37% increase in gypsy moth defoliation throughout the state compared to the levels the previous year. Defoliation occurred on 2,887 acres in 51 municipalities and 17 counties throughout the state. The majority of defoliation occurred in scattered locations in Passaic, Warren, Bergen and Ocean Counties. The Division of Plant Industry contacted the administrations of the affected municipalities to arrange for ground egg mass surveys. A total of 38 municipalities requested gypsy moth egg mass surveys during the fall of 2013. Surveys were also conducted in an additional 22 municipalities, which historically had gypsy moth problems. From these surveys, no infestations nor treatment blocks have been identified, so there is no planned aerial suppression activities planned for the spring of 2014.

FARM BILL-FUNDED PEST SURVEY PROGRAMS

New Jersey has participated in the Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP) a forest pest outreach and education program sponsored by the USDA APHIS PPQ since 2009,. This year Division of Plant Industry staff participated in 61 events and educated over 60,898 private citizens about invasive forest insects. During the year we focused our outreach efforts at several county fairs as well as environmental/outdoor festivals. We included non-traditional stakeholders such as school groups, municipal

7 environmental commissions and service organizations (i.e. Boy and Girl Scouts of America). The Department also promoted forest pest awareness through a zoo initiative by creating a large interactive educational display where children and adults can put their face in the cutouts to be entomologist’s catching the invasive beetles in their net or to be part of the picture’s background.

In an effort to stop the spread of injurious insects and diseases through the movement of firewood the “Jersey Grown Firewood” program was further promoted to the public at events as both a safeguarding and marketing tool. This program complements the goals of the USDA and The Nature Conservancy’s “Don’t Move Firewood” program by educating the public on the spread of invasive insects and diseases through the human movement of firewood.

The Department surveyed 17 vineyards with 19 locations in seven counties throughout the state as part of a national Grape Commodity Survey. Each trapping site had one repetition of traps for four non-native moths. The following pests were targeted for the grape commodity survey: Adoxophyes orana (summer fruit tortrix moth), Autographa gamma (silver y moth), Lobesia botrana (European grape vine moth), and Epiphyas posivitanna (light brown apple moth). The survey began in June and finished at the end of August. In total, 456 samples were collected and all trap results were negative.

Department staff monitored a total of 7 traps in state and county parks and saw mills for the Walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis . The walnut twig beetle is the vector of the fungus which causes Thousand Canker Disease. Thousand Canker Disease has been reported in black walnut trees in Bucks County, PA, nearby to New Jersey. Lindgren funnel traps were monitored every two weeks during a 12 week period. A total of 42 trap samples were collected. All trap results were negative for the walnut twig beetle, and no signs of Thousand Canker Disease have been found.

The Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium, is among the world's most destructive pests of stored grain, grain products and seeds. Native to South Asia and Northern Africa, Khapra beetle is currently found in 26 countries.

Division of Plant Industry staff monitored 8 locations in Union, Middlesex and Essex Counties for Khapra beetle. All the businesses were spice importers, processors and/or international food distributors, which could be potential pathways for the establishment of the Khapra beetle in New Jersey. A total of 48 traps were deployed, monitored every two weeks for a total of twelve weeks. All trap catches were negative for Khapra beetle.

SEED CONTROL

In 2013, a total of 151 samples of seed were submitted to the Division of Plant Industry’s Seed Laboratory for analysis. Thirty-one percent of these samples, collected 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.

8 In order to monitor agricultural seed sold through farm supply outlets, 48 lots of vegetable seed were inspected and sampled in 2013 for quality control analysis prior to being used by farmers. In addition, 56 lots of field crop, turfgrass and native plant 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 CERTIFICATION

A total of 20 turf seed samples were taken from lots of certified turf seed shipped to New Jersey from other States. These samples, which represented 194,200 pounds of certified turf grass seed, were tested to determine eligibility for the interagency certified seed program. Certification program staff supervised the mixing of 35,850 pounds of high quality turf seed. New Jersey sod growers used this seed to produce a high quality sod product.

Division of Plant Industry 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 Bermuda grass 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, plant certification 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.

Routine sampling of seed offered for sale assures farmers that seed will perform at the germination percentages specified on the seed labels under ideal conditions. Some seed lots do not germinate and perform well when planted in the field early and germination conditions are less than optimal. Low vigor seed could have a disastrous financial impact on growers.

Vigor testing of seed, conducted by the Plant Laboratory upon request, provides valuable information to the farmer to better manage planting times as well as growing and storage conditions. Growers of sweet corn, beans, spinach, parsley, and peppers find these tests extremely beneficial to their operations. In 2013, a total of 27 tests for vigor were conducted for growers of sweet corn.

Leaf tissue samples were collected from blueberry and cranberry mother plants for

9 blueberry scorch virus testing. Blueberry scorch is the leading disease in New Jersey blueberries. A total of 4,921 samples representing approximately 49,210 mother plants were tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for this virus. A total of seven growers in two counties were tested. Only three samples at one grower were found positive for blueberry scorch virus, all remaining samples were negative. The rows of mother plants that initially tested positive were resampled and any positive plants were subsequently destroyed.

The Plant Laboratory tested stone fruit material collected by Division of Plant Industry personnel to be tested for plum pox virus, tomato ring spot virus, and necrotic ring spot virus. Leaf samples were collected and tested from a stone fruit nursery. A total of 82 samples were collected and submitted for ELISA testing by the Division’s Plant Laboratory. All samples were negative for plum pox, tomato ring spot, and necrotic ring spot. Plum pox has not been detected in New Jersey.

The Laboratory supported the Apiary Inspection program through the analysis of bees for Varroa mites and Nosema spores. Nosema is a microsporidia with possible links to colony collapse disorder. 106 samples from 13 different beekeepers were analyzed with some hives being sampled multiple times throughout the year. Hives that were repeatedly sampled had results tracked and graphed to observe seasonal trends in infection levels as well as evaluate the efficacy of treatment for Nosema infections.

Mycotoxin fungi can be potentially dangerous to humans and if they produce toxins in significant quantities on feed and plant materials. The Division of Plant Industry’s Plant Laboratory has set up a protocol to screen and quantify the concentration of aflatoxin and ochratoxin using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plant materials are tested prior to use for prevention of possible illnesses such as kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer. ELISA tests can also be used to screen for additional mycotoxins.

AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY

The Agriculture Chemistry program entered its first year of implementation in 2013. The objective of the Agriculture Chemistry program is to provide laboratory support for regulation of fertilizer/soil conditioner and pet food. Commercial fertilizer, soil conditioner, and pet food that are for sale and distributed in New Jersey must be sampled and analyzed to ensure sufficient nutrient quantity.

During 2013, the Agriculture Chemistry program received a total of 343 regulatory fertilizer samples. The Agriculture Chemistry program documented and ground all of the samples to prepare for tests on the following labels claims for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, and Mo. The program prioritized its testing on samples that were taken from farmers. This modification in sample testing decreased the turnaround time of providing official tests to less than 5 business days, significantly better serving farmers by promptly returning fertilizer inspection reports. A total of 155 fertilizer samples were tested in-house for approximately 1,000 items. There were 45 fertilizer samples identified to be deficient and another 53 that received warning. Official inspection

10 reports and penalty assessment letters were issued through the Division of Marketing and Development. The fertilizer chemistry program also significantly decreased testing cost with in-house tests.

During 2013, a total of 455 pet food samples were collected, documented, and ground up. The pet food chemistry program already developed methods to test protein and moisture, and is developing the more complicated fat method that is usually prone to errors. Our pet food chemistry program is participating in the AAFCO Performance Test program.

The Agriculture Chemistry program reviewed 10 new fertilizer license applications, which were reviewed following the AAPFCO labeling protocol. New applicants received scientific advice from control officers to ensure that the fertilizer applications conform to the New Jersey fertilizer law, in particular the newly implemented fertilizer application regulation. The Agriculture Chemistry program recommended the approval of these applications to the Division of Marketing and Development.

MYCOTOXIN ANALYSIS

Mycotoxin tests are performed on animal feed as well as plant materials that were submitted by farmers. During 2013, a total of 4 composite samples of corn, wheat, and corn silage were tested for Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2, as well as Ochratoxin A. One corn sample was found to contain 110ng/g of Aflatoxin, which was significantly higher than the FDA regulatory 20ng/g level for feed corn. Our test confirmed that it was the toxic feed corn that caused the death of a calf and disqualified milk commodity.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana was officially implemented in the state in 2012. The Plant Laboratory entered a cooperative effort with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to test for mycotoxins in medical marijuana samples. A total of 11 composite samples were tested for both aflatoxin and ochratoxin on this effort with no positives to report.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT PESTS

Under the Division of Plant Industry’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 insect populations to increase, adding more pressure on the pest populations.

During 2013, the Division of Plant Industry conducted seven 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

11 for new biological control programs. Previously established beneficial insect populations are also monitored and evaluated to plan for the augmentation of these populations. All 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, biological control program involves the mass production and release of small beneficial wasps, Pediobius foveolatus, 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 the field each summer.

A total of 336,000 adult P. foveolatus, were released into 40 sites monitored during the 2013 soybean growing season. Additional soybean and organic farm field releases totaling 270,000 parasitoids were made to keep pressure on Mexican bean beetle populations. Thus, during the 2013 season a total of 606,00 P. foveolatus were released statewide. There were no reported insecticide treatments for Mexican bean beetle in soybeans in 2013.

New Jersey farmers planted about 100,000 acres of soybeans in 2013. 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 that no pesticide applications have been required on soybean acreage since 1993. In 2013, these savings amounted to more than $1,300,000 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 Division of Plant Industry’s Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory (PABIL) began work in 2007 with Laricobius nigrinus, a Derodontid beetle predator, of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA).

In 2012 only 19 overwintering Laricobius nigrinus beetles were recovered from half of the ten prerelease sites. In 2013, a total of 848 Laricobius nigrinus larvae and 335 adult L. nigrinus were recovered from northern New Jersey hemlock stands. This represents not only the largest single year recovery but also more than doubled the number recovered in 2012, suggesting that L. nigrinus has firmly established itself in the state.

Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, the invasive exotic freshwater wetland plant, had been displacing the native flora in wetlands 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

12 which are expensive, temporary and often impact non-target species.

The Division of Plant Industry’s Beneficial Insect Laboratory continues to mass produce and monitor two foliage feeding beetles of purple loosestrife, Galerucella pusilla and Galerucella calmariensis.

In 2013, Division staff released 66,000 Galerucella spp. statewide. Since the initial releases in 1997, approximately two million beetles have been released at 115 sites in 18 New Jersey counties. Galerucella has been recovered from approximately 98% of these release sites.

All sites are showing signs of purple loosestrife stress and collapse. Most plants at these sites are a full meter shorter than they were when the releases started and the purple loosestrife is no longer the dominant species in the wetland. There is greater diversity of plant species in New Jersey wetlands versus the virtual monoculture of purple loosestrife observed in the 1990’s. Galerucella spp. have been recovered at 98 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 New Jersey, Mercer County Park Commission, Union County Park System, Allentown Borough, Rider University, Rutgers University, property managed by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, a number of mitigation sites and private landowner properties. Since 1997, more than 1 million beetles have been shipped to cooperators in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Michigan and New Hampshire, to support their weed suppression programs.

In 2004, the Beneficial Insect Laboratory entered into a cooperative effort with the US Forest Service and the University of Delaware to develop mass rearing techniques for Rhinoncomimus latipes, a host specific weevil collected in China that is a predator of the exotic invasive plant, mile-a-minute (MAM), Persicaria perfoliata.

Since initially receiving the beetles from the University of Delaware, PABIL has made tremendous progress in understanding the requirements necessary to produce this R. latipes and its host, Persicaria perfoliata, allowing for the mass production of weevils for releases in the state and shipments to cooperators in other states.

The Beneficial Insect Laboratory’s production capacity reached a sustained level of more than 2,000 new weevils emerging each week, with more than 10,000 phytopagous weevils released in New Jersey in 2013 and an additional 80,000 weevils shipped to USDA/APHIS/PPQ and Forest Service cooperators in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.

During 2013, R. latipes weevils became established and were recovered from 100% of

13 the release sites. Field evaluations of the all release sites showed decreased cover and seedling numbers. The weevils were also recovered from more than 49 non- release locations. Generally, there are no mile-a-minute sites in the state that do not have weevils or exhibit evidence of their feeding.

In New Jersey, a native pest, tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris, is often observed in 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 Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory received an exotic European parasitoid, Peristenus relictus from the USDA, Beneficial Insect Research Laboratory, in 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 has made it possible to significantly increase parasitoid production.

In 2013, a total of 11,750 P. relictus were released among alfalfa and fallow fields in Mercer, Burlington, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Cumberland and Salem Counties. However, no recoveries were made. Although no P. relictus were recovered, several P. digoneutis, another solitary parasitoid that has been previously established in the northern part of the state in the 1980’s by the USDA were recovered.

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 fresh water. Copepods, which are nearly microscopic crustaceans, are efficient mosquito larvae predators. At the request of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, PABIL established cultures of various native species of copepods, and evaluated procedures for mass- production.

Beginning in 2005 the Alampi Laboratory collected and established cultures of copepod species native to New Jersey. Having concurrently developed a mass production method for copepods and their associated food organisms and the intention of starting field trials, the Division of Plant Industry focused 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 as well as in Louisiana.

In cooperation with NJDEP’s Office of Mosquito Control Coordination and the Mosquito Control Commissions of Ocean, Burlington, and Morris Counties, large field release trials in diverse habitats were conducted. It was hoped that these trials would provide valuable information on the logistics of transporting, releasing, and monitoring copepods, and provide information on the rate with which copepods can build their

14 populations and suppress mosquitoes in diverse situations. More than 30,000 M. albipes were released in 2013.

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STATE OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS 10B AIRLINE DRIVE ALBANY, NEW YORK 12235

Division of Plant Industry Phone: (518) 457‐2087 Fax: (518) 457‐1204

Summary of FY 2013‐14 Activities

Plant Inspection and Licensing The Division of Plant Industry through the administration of Article 14 of the Agriculture and Markets Law is responsible for maintaining and safeguarding plant health in New York State. Through regulation and routine inspections of the horticultural industry including timber products and other agricultural crops, invasive plant pests and pathogens are kept in check. During the course of these inspections, inspectors look for a variety of different insect and disease problems, including Southern Bacterial Wilt, Boxwood Blight, Sudden Oak Death, and Late Blight of Tomatoes and Potatoes.

In addition to the already established pests, division staff also look for other pests or pathogens that are not known to exist within the state or country. Suspect material is routinely sampled and submitted for analysis. If the findings result in a discovery of a pest that is not known to exist, the material is either quarantined, treated and/or destroyed to safeguard other producers and associated industries.

Division inspectors also work with various industries to inspect outgoing shipments of plant material including lumber, logs, seed, cut Christmas trees, nursery stock, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This allows New York State to maintain a clean bill of health, supporting the associated industries’ ability to do business nationally and internationally.

Licensing There were 180,368 acres and 26,155,008 square feet of greenhouse engaged in the production of plant material. There were 306 nursery grower licenses validated through 2013. During this same period 4,654 nursery dealers were licensed.

Inspection The inspection activities conducted by our Horticultural Inspectors may be summarized as follows:

Nursery Inspections 2,243 Nursery Dealer Inspections 1,584 Shipment Inspections (incoming) 120 Shipment Inspections (outgoing domestic) 393 Shipment Inspections (outgoing foreign) 563 Total Plants Inspected (shipments only) 1,220,154 Total Plants Rejected (shipments only) 4,960

All rejected shipments were destroyed or returned to consignor. These shipments were rejected due to non‐viable plants and/or insect/disease issues.

Plant Regulatory and Quarantine Programs The Division is responsible for four major quarantine programs. Two of these – Asian Longhorned Beetle and Plum Pox Virus ‐ are also eradication efforts and involve significant effort in partnership with various state and federal agencies, municipalities and industry. The past year saw several notable successes which are highlighted below.

Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication

Highlights  The New York ALB Program reached its goal of eradication for Manhattan and Staten Island on May 14th 2013.  On July 24, the ALB Program received an e‐mail with photo attached of an Asian Longhorned Beetle taken by a North Lindenhurst homeowner. A delimiting survey was initiated and on August 7th, a USDA SITC Officer who was assisting the program found the first infested tree.  Due to infested trees found in Melville, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, and Farmingdale outside of the current quarantine boundary, the quarantined area on Long Island will be expanded from 23 square miles to 51 square miles.

Delimiting Survey and Detection Response  As an ongoing response to detection of Asian Longhorned Beetle in New York, the areas under quarantine are surveyed. All properties must be accessed within the quarantine area and any host trees inspected to complete a cycle. The survey protocols require that three negative cycles must occur before an area can be considered free from infestation. In 2013, both ground and climbing staff visited a total of 50,076 properties and inspected 206,346 trees.  Level 3 Survey – In order to insure no other areas of New York are harboring infestation, inspectors work outside the quarantine boundaries on a regular basis, to target and inspect businesses and areas considered at high risk for infestation. The inspectors visited campgrounds, importers, freight rail lines and industrial parks. They accessed 173 establishments and surveyed 2,728 host trees with no new introductions detected.  Tree Removal and Detection – 294 infested trees were found in 2013 and 9 trees were identified as high risk. 57 infested and 6 high risk trees were removed. 237 infested and 3 high risk trees

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were awaiting removal. Since the first detection of ALB in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a total of 6,353 infested and 12,177 high risk trees have been removed.

Outreach Activities  The Asian Longhorned Beetle Program continued to place high priority on outreach, education, and training in order to bring awareness and understanding of this destructive pest to the public’s attention. o 49 outreach events with information booths staffed o 1 scheduled compliance training workshop and 33 on‐site compliance trainings were provided; 375 individuals and 42 companies/organizations trained. o Forest Pest Outreach Survey Multi State Initiative, NYSDAM’s efforts were assisted by Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Essex and Onondaga Counties, Empire Forest Products Association and the Catskills Regional Invasive Species Partnership. Outreach efforts educated public and private individuals and groups on the importance of Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and other forest pests of concern to the State.

Regulatory Activities  As of December 31, 2013 the total area under regulation for ALB is 109 square miles. The expansion of the central Long Island quarantine will add an additional 28 square miles to the regulated areas.  In order to effectively manage and control the movement of wood and insure proper disposal and destruction of host material, the program spends numerous hours training and educating green industry professionals. Once trained and willing to cooperate with the regulations, the companies are issued a compliance agreement where they will inspect all host wood for infestation, and properly dispose of it in an approved manner.

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 1,009 General Compliance Agreements and 16 Nursery/Garden Center Agreements are currently being monitored.  3,493 site inspections were made along with 1,198 vehicle inspections. 35 Regulated Material Certificates were issued for firewood inspections. 25 Quarantine Orders and 63 Limited Permits were issued to permit controlled movement.  In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, program inspectors continued to patrol and monitor ALB quarantined areas to insure all ALB regulations were being followed during the extended clean‐ up and recovery activities. Continuous oversight was maintained of local municipalities within ALB quarantine areas verifying compliance with ALB regulations. Communication channels were maintained with FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers, NYC Office of Emergency Management, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as local towns and villages affected by the storm.

Asian Longhorned Beetle Research Activities  Research efforts continue in New York, Massachusetts and Ohio; some conducted over several years. Much of the research has had a positive impact on ALB program activities and has assisted program managers in developing better survey and treatment methods.

Pesticide Treatments for Suppressing ALB Populations Dr. Phil Lewis, USDA Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST), is continuing pesticide trials that are in the third and final year. He is analyzing soil and trunk treatments administered in the Fall vs. Spring to assess residue levels in the treated trees. CPHST is comparing timing of soil and trunk injection applications made to four common host tree species. Imidacloprid and dinotefura applications are also being compared. Two year results are in and final leaf sample collections have been completed. Results so far indicate that residues from fall treatments are comparable to spring treatments (the latter being the current standard). It is the expectation that these findings will allow for a greater window in which to treat trees. Additionally, a new alternative to Imidacloprid is being tested in China, and preliminary results indicate that the candidate chemical is promising.

Population Dynamics CPHST collected damaged wood from infested areas and is determining the year damage was made in order to age the infestation. This information is being analyzed to develop population and spatial spread models for the Worcester, MA, Bethel, OH and newly discovered NY (Long Island) infestations using analysis of infested tree samples, geophysical characteristics and host distribution information. Recent work in MA in particular has characterized spread of ALB over time.

Results will be used to refine conclusions of earlier studies by Al Sawyer on ALB population dynamics and characterization of host damage, and to develop program guides.

DNA Analysis Analysis of ALB haplotypes is being expanded from the standard “bar‐coding” sequence of ca. 450 base pairs up to ca. 1600 base pairs using primers developed by Maureen Carter. This method should provide better discrimination among ALB from different geographic populations in North America and Asia.

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Molecular analyses are being performed on newly collected ALB from Ohio and NY, as well as historic samples. Beetles from the new NY find show a haplotype that was previously found in Amityville, though the haplotype was also in Chicago. Additional findings will be reported as samples are processed.

Golden Nematode Containment Quarantine The Golden Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) (GN) is a quarantined pest that has been discovered in potato fields on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. It is recognized throughout the temperate regions of the world as one of the most difficult of all crop pests to eradicate. It can drastically reduce yields on the farms where it exists, and if left uncontrolled, poses a threat for spread to other fields.

Were it not for an effective management plan, the unmitigated risk of spread could prohibit the interstate movement of all crops which could carry soil on them. For over sixty years, the Department and the United States Department of Agriculture have worked cooperatively to preserve the potato industry in New York and to prevent the spread of the nematode.

In order to prevent the spread of GN, vigilance needs to be maintained over mandated sanitation practices and the adherence of the grower to the resistant variety rotations. The Agriculture and Markets Law requires that any equipment leaving a regulated field be cleaned free of all soil prior to entering a non‐regulated field and any grower wishing to plant potatoes in a regulated field must follow a four‐year crop rotation scientifically designed to reduce the spread of GN cysts. Inspectors monitored grower activities to ensure that mandated sanitation practices were employed. In 2013:

 Inspectors sanitized 1,206 pieces of equipment and issued 80 certificates of disinfestation.  USDA inspectors issued 5 phytosanitary certificates for equipment leaving the state.  Collected 183 potato leaf samples from 56 fields for DNA analysis to confirm variety planted.  Two fields, through DNA analysis were found to have been planted out of the required rotation.  The grower involved was notified of the potential violation on these fields.

On an annual basis the GN and PCN statewide soil survey is conducted by USDA with Division assistance. This survey is to determine if there are any active infestations both in regulated fields, fields likely to be exposed to infestation, potato seed land and non‐exposed land. For 2013, a total of 4,985 soil samples were collected from 1,700 acres in 20 counties. There was a detection of one viable cyst on one field. This field had previous positive cyst results. All other samples were negative.

The Department, in collaboration with USDA‐APHIS continued to make headway on a five‐year plan where the goal is to achieve 90% deregulation of the currently regulated acreage. During the early years of the program, the containment of GN involved quarantining not only infested fields but fields exposed to potential infestation. Based on results of official surveys conducted in 2011 on the soil in the fields and criteria agreed upon by Canada and the U.S., the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, formerly regulated acreage in Livingston County, Genesee County, and in Steuben County met all requirements for removal from GN regulation, reducing the overall GN quarantine area. Accordingly, restrictions on the interstate movement of GN regulated articles, including root stock and nursery products, from these areas are no longer required.

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In the second phase of the five‐year plan, inspectors completed the review of the areas under quarantine in Orleans, Nassau and Western Suffolk Counties. The infestation history of each field was reviewed, current status documented and each field mapped. Soil samples of all remaining fields were taken with all returning negative results. In Orleans County, the 57,770 acres of uninfested or exposed land can be released under the current USDA /Canada Guidelines on Surveillance and Phytosanitary Actions for Potato Cyst Nematodes, leaving only three fields still regulated. In Nassau and Western Suffolk Counties, in order to deregulate the over 500,000 acres that have since been developed and no longer pose a risk, a revision in the guidelines must be agreed to by both countries. Talks between both parties are under way and it is anticipated that an agreement on deregulation procedures will be in place by early 2014.

Plum Pox Virus Quarantine & Eradication Program Plum Pox is a viral disease of stone fruit species that first appeared in the United States in Pennsylvania in October 1999 and initially in New York in July 2006. Plum Pox Virus (PPV) is vectored by aphids and affects a number of species in the family including peach, nectarine, apricot and plum. This disease is also spread through propagative material – namely budwood of infected material being grafted and grown on.

The New York State Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the USDA and Cornell University is using a multi‐tiered approach of survey, control, and education to eradicate PPV from New York. Division of Plant Industry personnel planned, coordinated and conducted the survey for the commercial stone fruit orchards, homeowner survey and border survey this past year.

In 2013 program staff surveyed 1,222 commercial stone fruit blocks totaling 1,101 acres in 3 counties for a total of 120,807 leaf samples collected. All samples tested negative using ELISA by the designated lab. A border survey was conducted for the 2nd year in a row by NYSDAM personnel. This was an intense survey of wood lots and homeowner properties along the Niagara River. The target survey area started at Fort Niagara State Park and ran south along the Niagara River to the southern section of Artpark. 2,382 acres were surveyed with 1,545 Prunus samples being collected. All samples tested negative using ELISA by the designated lab.

A border survey was conducted again this year by NYSDAM personnel. The location of the border survey was the western boundary of Niagara County that is adjacent to the Niagara River. The Niagara River is between Niagara County, New York and Ontario, Canada. Just across the Niagara River within Ontario, Canada is a tender fruit growing region for Canada. The Plum Pox Virus is known to occur in this region and there is no longer an effort to eradicate the disease from Canada. The presence of the virus this close to our stone fruit growing region puts New York (and the United States) at risk, especially the Niagara County growers. 2,382 acres along the border were surveyed extensively for the presence of susceptible Prunus. A total of 1,545 samples were collected during the 2013 survey. All samples tested negative using ELISA by the designated lab.

NYSDAM personnel conducted the 2013 residential property survey. NYSDAM personnel handled all phases of this survey from the homeowner mailing to the actual survey on the property. By having one agency handle all aspects of the survey; costs were consolidated and efficiency improved. Survey areas were: Niagara county all homeowner properties including woodlots/forests and business within

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Regulated Area A & Regulated Area B. In Orleans & Wayne counties homeowner properties woodlots/forest and businesses within one mile radius from previously positive finds were targeted. Priority was given to areas not surveyed before, mainly woodlots/forests and hard to reach corporations.

There were no positive finds in 2013 in the orchard, residential or border surveys. This is the 2nd year in a row since the initial detection in 2006 that there have been no positives. This enabled the deregulation of Regulated Area B and reduced the size of Regulated Area A by approximately 2/3 in Niagara County. The Nursery Quarantine remains in effect. This is a significant milestone allowing commercial orchards in these areas to plant Prunus trees. Planting of replacement trees is critical for maintaining peach and other stone fruit orchards.

The Plum Pox Virus Eradication program can reach the goal of eradication within the foreseeable future. Cooperation from growers, land owners and the nursery industry has been critical to the success realized so far.

Emerald Ash Borer History

In 2009 New York State was the 13th state to confirm the presence of Emerald Ash Borer in the United States. On July 23, 2009 a quarantine was placed on Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties for Emerald Ash Borer. That quarantine has expanded many times over the last four years. In May of 2013, NYSDAM expanded the area under quarantine again (see map below). USDA‐APHIS issued a parallel quarantine to limit the movement of regulated articles both interstate and internationally. Since the expansion in 2013, 7 new counties were confirmed positive. The counties of Delaware, Otsego, and Ontario were confirmed positive by state horticultural inspectors and the counties of Onondaga, Rensselaer, Cayuga, and Schoharie were confirmed positive based on samples submitted from USDA’s purple prism trap

April 2014 Page 7 program. All counties confirmed positive were previously included in the quarantine. There are a total of 20 positive counties in New York State with a total of 37 counties and 6 partial counties under quarantine.

Emerald Ash Borer Regulatory Activities

Inspections have been conducted at facilities that handle wood and may be under a compliance agreement. A total of 125 inspections have been conducted at establishments that handle wood products. Inspections were conducted to determine compliance of the emerald ash borer regulations as well as determining if the establishment is following the terms of their compliance agreement.  Compliance Agreements ‐ 274 96 Mulch/Chip Agreements 108 Transport Agreements 6 Outside Mill Agreements 48 Inside Mill Agreements 2 Firewood Agreements 13 Infested Material Agreements 1 Research Agreement

In addition to inspection of establishments that handle wood products, a total of 1,066 registered nurseries and 1,651 registered nursery dealers are inspected for emerald ash borer. The movement of ash nursery stock poses a significant risk and needs to be continually monitored to ensure compliance. A total of four roadside inspections were conducted along routes exiting the quarantine area. A total of three firewood violations were found and turned over to NYSDEC for penalty.

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Emerald Ash Borer Outreach Activities: Outreach is a great complement to our inspection activities. It allows inspectors to interact with large groups of people that are potentially impacted by this pest and its regulations. State inspectors participated in nine meetings to inform various public organizations and industry trade groups about the Emerald Ash Borer regulations and what restrictions are in place to prohibit the artificial spread of emerald ash borer.

Emerald Ash Borer Management Activities: In addition to the above activities, inspectors continue to be involved with biological control efforts. USDA –ARS and USDA‐CPHST has requested the assistance of the division staff in facilitating release and research of emerald ash borer biological control agents. Three species of parasitoids have been released in six areas of New York State and are currently being monitored. The egg parasitoid, Oobius agrili, was released in 2012 and 2013 with a total of 14,300 individual parasitoids released. Two larval parasitoids have been released from 2011 through 2013. These releases represent a total of 48,057 Tetrastichus planipennisi and a total of 18,240 Spathius agrili individual parasitoids released. All of these parasitoids have been recovered in the environs where they were released. This indicates that they are reproducing on their own and feeding on emerald ash borer.

Permits, Certification and Export Services PERMITS In 2013, the Division reviewed 175 federal applications via USDA’s e‐permit program. These applications also fulfill the Department’s requirement to apply for a permit for the shipment of live pests under Article 14 Section 164‐a. A total of 6 inspections were conducted by state inspectors to determine compliance with state and federal permit terms. The following is the breakdown of applications reviewed:

122 Applications for Permit to Move Live Plant Pests or Noxious Weeds (PPQ 526) 15 Acknowledgements of regulated articles that require a notification, yet do not require a permit 18 Applications for Permit to Receive Soil (PPQ 525) 9 Applications for Permit to Import Prohibited Plants or Plant Products for Experimental Purposes (PPQ 588) 10 Biotechnology Applications 1 Agreement for Post‐entry Quarantine (PPQ 546)

Warehouse and Distribution Center Inspection Program (WDCIP) The warehouse and distribution center inspection program is a new inspection program within the Division of Plant Industry. The purpose of this program is to inspect facilities that are potential pathways for introduction of plant pests and diseases through trade and shipping. New York has a large import and distribution industry, large and active port facilities, significant population centers, strong ethnic populations, and international border crossings. These are all factors that contribute to New York being among the major hubs for movement and delivery of international sources of cargo, people and plant material which increase the state’s risk.

An outreach flyer and a poster for use as a tool during planned inspections of facilities has been developed. An analysis of hot zone maps produced from EAN data, GIS data and data acquired by internet based program Salesgenie® has enabled the establishment of potentially high risk sites to target

April 2014 Page 9 for inspection. Based on this information several hot zones were identified for inspection with potentially high risk establishments identified in each hot zone.

Inspections  Capital District Hot Zone (January 29th –January 31st, 2013) ‐ A total of 17 inspections were conducted  Syracuse Area Hot Zone (February 5th – February 7th, 2013) ‐ A total of 17 inspections were conducted  Buffalo Area Hot Zone (February 19th – February 21th, 2013) ‐ A total of 17 inspections were conducted  Lower Hudson Valley Area Hot Zone (February 26th – February 28th, 2013) ‐ A total of 28 inspections were conducted  Buffalo Area Hot Zone (July 23rd – July 25th, 2013) ‐ A total of 31 inspections were conducted  Syracuse Area Hot Zone (July 30th – August 1st, 2013) ‐ A total of 56 inspections were conducted  Capital District Hot Zone (August 6th –August 8st, 2013) ‐ A total of 42 inspections were conducted.  Lower Hudson Valley Area Hot Zone (August 13th – August 15th, 2013) ‐ A total of 52 inspections were conducted  Binghamton Hot Zone (December 10th –December 12th, 2013) ‐ A total of 56 inspections were conducted  Rochester Hot Zone (December 17th –December 19th, 2013) ‐ A total of 46 inspections were conducted

As a result the following has been accomplished  1 facility is now under a USDA compliance agreement for Gypsy Moth.  New emerald ash borer infested areas in Syracuse were identified.  3 establishments under state compliance agreements for emerald ash borer.  Outreach and inspection to 362 establishments has been conducted

Japanese Beetle Certification

In 1916 the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) was introduced into the Northeast United States and has since spread throughout the State of New York and beyond. This infestation has resulted in many southern and western states enacting quarantines against any infested state (including NY). As a result any shipments of nursery stock or greenhouse material into Category 1 & 2 States must be treated according to the U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan.

New York instituted a sticker program in compliance with the Harmonization Plan in 2010. Five greenhouse growers are enrolled in program and are under current compliance agreement for the use of stickers to certify shipments grown under the conditions of the Harmonization Plan.

New York has one nursery which participates in the Harmonization Plan Appendix 2; Shipment to Category 2 States. Our nursery program follows the protocols set for in the Nursery Accreditation Program for soil sampling for the presence of Japanese Beetle grubs in fall of the year generally the 1st week of October.

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Clean Stock The state’s experience with Plum Pox Virus has clearly demonstrated the impact plant diseases can have on the plants and in turn the growers and economy of New York. Planting virus free material is a core best management practice when handling vegetatively propagated plants. This has tremendous significance for our state’s fruit crops which are susceptible to many economically significant viruses.

Grapes are impacted by many such viruses including the Grapevine Leaf Roll associated Viruses (GLRaV). Virus free plants will produce grapes for more years, will have uniform ripening for efficient harvest and will have more consistent brix level (sugar content) to optimize winemaking. New York has regulations in place for a “Voluntary Program for the Production of Virus‐Tested Plant Materials” – that has languished and New York has not certified any grape vines under this program for over a decade. New serological testing methods now available can speed up testing time from 3 years to 2 days. Nurseries have been asking for this program.

Responding to industry demand to revitalize this program the Division of Plant Industry obtained USDA Farm Bill funding under the National Clean Plant Network to modernize and re‐implement the Department’s virus certification program. Many grape varieties favorable for the growing conditions of the Eastern United States are not available as virus certified or are not available in the quantities desired. This certification program will fill a need not currently being addressed in the United States. Virus certification is required to export grapes to Canada. There is a significant unmet need for virus certified grape vines in eastern Canada. The certification program will open a new export market for New York grape nurseries.

The impact of this initiative goes beyond New York, the New York grape nurseries are the major grape nurseries located east of the Rockies. They serve the wine and grape industries in New York but also in the northeast (ME, CT, NH, MA and VT), mid‐Atlantic (NJ, MD, PA, VA and WV) and mid‐west (KS, MN, MI, OH, IL, IN, MO, OK and KY). An active grape certification program in New York will improve the quality of the planting material used in New York and beyond.

New York also has significant participation nationally with the clean stock initiative. Through the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) New York has six members on the Grape Subgroup including 2 nurseries, 1 winery, 1 researcher, 1 Extension and 1 regulator (Margaret Kelly, Assistant Director of the Division of Plant Industry). As the third largest grape producing state and the largest producer of grape nursery stock in the East this is a very appropriate role for New York’s economic interests. The Divison also draws upon and shares information with the other NCPN commodity groups including fruit tree, hops and berries.

Apple Certification for Shipments to AZ and CA The States of and California renewed the Master Permits authorizing the shipment of 12 brands of fresh apples commercially grown in New York during the 2013 growing season to their respective states. Twenty‐two establishments within New York have been approved for participation in the 2013 program. An additional eleven establishments have Apple Gift Pack Certification.

Phytosanitary Permits In 2013, 557 federal phytosanitary certificates were issued to ship plants internationally, and another 417 state phytosanitary certificates issued to ship plants within the United States.

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Commodity Inspection, Sampling and Analysis

Seed Inspection, Sampling and Certification (A&M Law, Article 9) Farmers depend on seed purity, germination, trueness to variety and freedom from weed seeds to produce maximum crop yield and profitability. Each year, the Division receives a number of consumer complaints and inquiries regarding seed quality. Agriculture and Markets Law recognizes this fact and provides for the inspection, sampling and analysis of seed that is offered or exposed for sale in New York. The unchecked introduction of noxious weed seed is also a concern of importance.

The Division works closely with Cornell University’s New York Seed Improvement Project to certify seed as New York State Certified. The designation of seed as certified indicates that it is of a known variety produced under strict standards to maintain varietal purity. Seed lots must also meet specified standards for other crop seeds, inert matter, weed seeds and germination.

In 2013, 689 samples were taken with 545 found in compliance to their labeling. 80% of the samples were found to be accurately labeled. Approximately 95 seed labelers were sampled.

Turf/Lawn Seed Ag Seed Flower Seed Vegetable Seed Samples Analyzed 206 396 n/a 87 Samples in compliance with 150 316 n/a 79 labeling Samples void/pending 5 3 n/a 3 Samples with Violations 51 77 n/a 5

Seed found in violation of its labeling in 2013:  was relabeled with the New York State Seed Testing Laboratory analysis.  pulled from distribution.  the labeler may receive a penalty for distributing mislabeled seed.

Fertilizer, Lime & Soil and Plant Inoculants (Article 10, 9A, 10A) Proper soil pH and crop nutrition is vital in maximizing crop yields. The guaranteed analysis of the chemical composition of fertilizer and liming products is critical for farmers in maximizing profitability and in their whole farm management efforts to minimize environmental impacts. Agriculture and Markets Law Articles 9A, 10, and 10A provide the statutory guidance for licensing, inspection, sampling and analysis to ensure the availability of high quality and properly labeled materials.

In 2013, 185 commercial fertilizer samples were obtained for analysis and comparison to their labeled guarantees. Fifty three percent of the fertilizer products sampled were found to be compliant to their stated guarantees. In addition, 16 agricultural liming materials were also sampled for analysis. Eight of the products tested were found to be compliant to the TNV, fineness, ENV or an element as stated in their guarantee and five were found in violation of their labeling. Three samples were voided.

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Fertilizer

Firms Licensed 476 Inspections Performed 490 Samples Taken 185

Liming Materials

Registered Brands 163 Inspections Performed 213 Samples Taken 16

Soil and Plant Inoculants

Registered Brands 341 Inspections Performed 47

Notice of sample results were mailed to all distributors of fertilizer and lime products that were tested.

Fertilizer found in violation of its labeling in 2013:  Was relabeled with NYSDAM Food Lab analysis, or  Pulled from distribution, or  Compensation by the labeler made to the purchaser(bulk sampling on the farm) for deficiency, or  Referral to Counsels Office with penalty recommendation

Ammonium Nitrate Inspection The potential of use of commercial fertilizers, particularly ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia, in the production of weapons of mass destruction and in the illegal manufacture of drugs has heightened concern with respect to their regulation and onsite security. Any person or entity in New York State that sells, offers for sale, or otherwise makes available, ammonium nitrate or regulated ammonium nitrate materials is required to register annually with the Department. All purchasers must provide proper identification and background information before purchasing ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate products. All sales records must be retained for a 2 year period and be available for inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or New York State Office of Homeland Security. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate materials must be stored in a secure location. Daily inspections by the establishment operators for attempted entry, vandalism and structural integrity are required. There are currently 9 establishments registered as ammonium nitrate retailers. Ammonium nitrate retailers in state are subject to quarterly inspections by NYS Horticultural Inspectors. All with facilities in the state were inspected and found to be in compliance with the regulations.

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Stop Sale Orders and Non‐Compliance Issues 117 Stop Sales on products/distributors were issued at approximately 49 facilities primarily for:  Distribution of product beyond test date period or expiration date. Approximately 102 Stop Sale Orders were issued for seed found for sale past the expiration date.  Seed product relabeled more than once. Last year the Department was in contact with the Scotts Company, Pennington Seeds, and Seedway concerning the one time relabeling prohibition. Seed companies may label their seed based on routine seed germination tests every six months thus having multiple labels before leaving the warehouse. These seed products may have multiple labels but be of high seed quality. This conflicts with the onetime relabeling prohibition. Again this year, the Division is allowing these companies, on a trial basis, to distribute seed with multiple labels. Seed with multiple labels can be sampled and germination tests will be requested from the company when found in the marketplace as a means of checking compliance that seed is not in the marketplace past an overall 30 months. The main objective is that lawn and turf seeds are only allowed to be on the market up to 30 months.

Additionally, over $14,400 in fines were assessed on commodity violations. This also included mislabeled seed violations.

Integrated Pest Management The mission of the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is to develop and deliver sustainable ways to manage pests that are cost‐effective and pose minimal risks to human health and the environment. The program focuses on IPM strategies that address a wide range of plant and animal pests including arthropods, crop diseases, weeds and vertebrate pests through programs of implementation and development/research.

The IPM Program is critical to the development and implementation of economically and environmentally sustainable tactics for farmers to manage annually recurring insect, weed, disease and vertebrate pests, as well as new invasive species and those that have become more difficult to control due to development of resistance to pesticides.

The 2013/14 allocation for the Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program conducted through the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell totaled $500,000. Cumulative appropriations for this publicly supported program have amounted to $23,072,874 over a 29 year period since its inception in 1985.

During this period of sustained support, approximately 1,065 research and development, demonstration and implementation projects have been funded in the areas of fruit, vegetables, ornamentals and turf, and dairy/field crops. The emphasis of funding continues to be in the area of bio‐intensive studies and implementation projects.

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Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds Following enactment of New York’s Invasive Species law, the Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) were given a September 1, 2013 deadline to develop regulations to implement the new law.

As part of the rulemaking process, DAM continued doing socioeconomic assessments for those species that ranked very high and high for ecological invasiveness. These are the species that have been included in the initial rulemaking – including 76 plant species. For the most part, the species that are listed in the initial rulemaking are listed as prohibited, with the exception of Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), Japanese Virgin’s Bower (Clematis terniflora), Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei), Chinese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis), and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoaccacia). These six species are listed as regulated, meaning they can still be sold, but with conditions. And finally, Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is listed as prohibited with a one‐year grace period to allow for the management of existing stock.

DAM and DEC held four hearings across the state to receive public comments on the proposed regulations – in addition to the comments that were submitted electronically.

The agencies are now in the process of reviewing the comments received and preparing the response to comments. We anticipate finalizing the regulations by summer. Once the regulations are finalized, there is a six month delay before they go into effect.

Pest Survey

New York CAPS Targets 2013 Summary

 Ceroplastes japonicus – Japanese Wax Scale  Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum – Boxwood Blight  Helicoverpa armigera– Old World Bollworm  Platypus quercivorus ‐‐ Oak Ambrosia Beetle  Phytophthora infestans – Late Blight on Tomato  Phytophthora ramorum – P. ramorum Blight (Sudden Oak Death)  Ralstonia solanacearum – Southern Bacterial Wilt  Thaumetopoea processionea – Oak Processionary Moth  Tremex fuscicornis – Tremex Woodwasp  Trypodendron domesticum – European Hardwood Ambrosia Beetle

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Summary of 2013 Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Accomplishments

Through visual inspection of nursery stock at nurseries/greenhouses and garden centers/ retail outlets:

Annual

Actual Est. # Est. #

Potential

Sites Survey Sites for Plants Plants Federal Target Species Dates 2013 Inspected Inspected Collections Specimens Collected Positive identifications Actual Annual Visual

Japanese Wax Scale,

C. japonicus Jun– Sept 136 462 136 75,693 136 0 0

Boxwood Blight,

C. pseudonaviculatum Mar–Nov 150 546 150 168,026 150 43 14

Late Blight on Tomato,

P. infestans (state target) Mar ‐July 150 694 150 1,524,517 150 3 1

P. ramorum Blight,

P. ramorum Mar–Aug 68 564 68 587,238 68 10 0

Southern Bacterial Wilt,

R. solanacearum Jan – Dec 150 857 150 2,594,956 150 0 0

Tremex Woodwasp,

T. fuscicornis July ‐Sept 15 271 180 21,807 180 0 0

Totals: 669 3,394 834 4,972,237 834 56 15

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Through pheromone trapping in nursery stock at nurseries/greenhouses and garden centers/retail outlets:

Annual

Actual

Est. #

Sites Survey Sites for Est. # Trap/ Trap/ Federal Target Species Dates 2013 Servicing Servicing Actual Annual Potential Collections Specimens Collected Positive identifications Trapping

European Hardwood Ambrosia Beetle,

T. domesticum Mar – Jun 15 15 30/180 30/178 180 2,946 0

Oak Ambrosia Beetle,

P. quercivorus Jun – Sept 15 16 30/180 30/181 180 3,388 0

Oak Processionary Moth, T. processionea Jun ‐ Aug 15 15 30/180 30/180 180 385 0

Old World Bollworm,

H. armigera Jun ‐ Aug 15 15 30/180 30/174 180 533 0

Totals: 60 60 120/720 120/713 720 7,250 0

The primary objective of the CAPS program is to establish and maintain a comprehensive network of cooperators and stakeholders to facilitate our mission and to safeguard American plant resources. NYSDAM is committed to survey and detection of exotic plant pests that may threaten the agriculture of New York State and the continental United States. NYSDAM pest detection objectives and goals parallel those identified in the 2013 National CAPS Guidelines emphasizing commodity surveys for the early pest detection of non‐indigenous plant pests and confirming the presence or absence of plant pests impacting domestic and international movement of New York plants and plant products.

Our objective is the early detection of the following insect pests and pathogens in high‐risk import nurseries/greenhouses and garden centers/ retail outlets which are potentially harmful to New York agriculture/horticulture. These pests and pathogens are located within the Nursery/greenhouse and Retail garden center Commodity (NRC) Bundled Survey:

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Nursery/greenhouse and Retail garden center Commodity Survey (NRC):

The 2013 Nursery/Retail Commodity Survey was conducted by 15 NYS Department of Agriculture Horticultural Inspectors in three regions throughout New York State. This survey focused on detecting exotic terrestrial plant pests at wholesale and retail greenhouses, landscape nurseries, and retail outlets/garden centers. Surveys for target pests began January 2013. There are four target pests surveyed for using traps and lures: European Hardwood Ambrosia Beetle, Oak Ambrosia Beetle, Oak Processionary Moth, Old World Bollworm. There are six target pests surveyed for using visual survey methods: Boxwood Blight, Japanese Wax Scale, Late Blight, P. ramorum Blight (aka: Sudden Oak Death), Southern Bacterial Wilt, and Tremex Woodwasp. Suspect insect targets collected were sent to the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University for identification. Suspect disease specimens collected were sent to the Northeast Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab at Cornell University. All surveys have concluded and traps have been removed.

Ceroplastes japonicus, Japanese Wax Scale (JWS) During June 1 – September 30 there were 462 locations and 75,693 host plants visually inspected throughout 26 counties: Albany, Broome, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Kings, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Onondaga, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Wayne and Westchester. Host plants of concern include Holly, Ivy, Mulberry, Maple and fruit trees of the family (i.e. apple, , etc). No suspect samples were collected. No JWS were found.

Cylindrocladium buxicola, (C. pseudonaviculatum) Boxwood Blight (BWB) Initially this was not a CAPS target for 2012. Boxwood blight has been found most recently in Connecticut on boxwood, therefore prompting surveys of boxwood material by NYS Horticultural Inspectors for signs of this disease in NY nurseries and wholesale dealers.

During March 1 – November 30 there were 546 locations and 168,026 host plants visually inspected throughout 28 counties: Albany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Wayne. Host plants of concern include species of Boxwood and rarely Pachysandra. 43 suspect samples were collected. 14 samples were positive for BWB.

Helicoverpa armigera, Old World Bollworm (OWB) 30 Plastic Bucket traps were set at 15 sites throughout NYS on approximately June 1 and removed approximately August 24. There were 533 suspect specimens collected from 30 traps during 174 total servicing in Albany, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Queens, Steuben, Suffolk, Tompkins, Wayne Counties . Host plants of concern include a variety of species of Prunus spp. (stone fruit),

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Pinus spp.(), spp. (apple), carnation, common sunflower; and agricultural crops such as soybean, corn, potato, Allium spp. (onions, garlic, leek, etc.), tomato, cucurbits, beans, wheat, eggplant, pea, common bean, alfalfa, flax, chickpea, safflower, bell pepper, cruciferous crops, oats, okra, barley. The state map below indicates the trapping site locations. No OWB were found.

Phytophthora infestans, Late Blight on Tomatoes (LBT) This is an important state target for monitoring late blight on tomatoes at NYS growers and dealers. During March 1 – July 31 there were 694 locations and 1,524,517 host plants visually inspected throughout 37 counties: Albany, Allegany, Bronx, Cattaraugus, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Kings, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Ontario, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Wayne, Westchester, and Wyoming. Host plants of concern include species of Tomato. 3 suspect samples were collected sent to Cornell University for diagnosis. 1 sample was positive for LBT.

Phytophthora ramorum, P. ramorum Blight (PRB) New York State nurseries, garden centers, and retail box stores that import broadleaf evergreen shrubs, lilac and/or viburnum shrubs from Pacific Coast growers were the target for the Phytophthora ramorum Blight (PRB) [aka: Sudden Oak Death] survey. Horticultural Inspectors examined host plant species for PRB symptoms from March 1‐August 31.

Notifications received from Pacific Coast nurseries shipping into New York were used to facilitate locating PRB host material.

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During March 1 – August 31 there were 564 locations and 587,238 host plants visually inspected throughout 38 counties: Albany, Allegany, Bronx, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Greene, Kings, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Wayne, and Westchester. Host plants of concern include species of Viburnum, Kalmia, Rhododendron, Camilla and Pieris. 13 suspect samples were collected sent to Northeast Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab at Cornell University for diagnosis. No samples were positive for PRB.

Platypus quercivorus, Oak Ambrosia Beetle (OAB) 30 Lindgren traps were set at 15 sites throughout NYS on approximately June 23 and removed approximately September 15. There were 3,388 suspect specimens collected from 30 traps during 181 total servicing in Cortland, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Saratoga, Steuben, Suffolk, Tompkins, Warren, Wayne Counties. Host plants of concern include a variety of species of the Japanese Oak and some Prunus species. The state map below indicates the trapping site locations. No OAB were found.

Ralstonia solanacearum r3b2, Southern Bacterial Wilt (SBW) Major New York wholesale/retail vegetative geranium producers were inspected for signs and symptoms of Ralstonia.

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During January 1 – December 31 there were 857 locations and 2,594,956 host plants visually inspected throughout 35 counties: Albany, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Franklin, Greene, Kings, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Ontario, Orange, Otsego, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, and Yates. Host plants of concern include species of Geranium. No suspect samples were collected. No samples were positive for SBW.

Tremex fuscicornis, Tremex Woodwasp (TWW) During July 1 – September 30 there were 271 locations and 21,807 host plants visually inspected throughout 27 counties: Albany, Broome, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Kings, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Onondaga, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Wayne, Westchester. Host plants of concern include Norway maple, Alder, Birch, Oak, European Hornbeam, Chinese Hackberry, Beech, English Walnut, Chinese Walnut, Eastern Cottonwood, Japanese Flowering Cherry, Chokecherry, Prunus spp, Black Locust, Zelkova sp. No suspect samples were collected. No TWW were found.

Thaumetopoea processionea, Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

30 Wing traps were set at 15 sites throughout NYS on approximately June 1 and removed approximately August 24. There were 385 suspect specimens collected from 30 traps during 180 total servicing in Allegany, Franklin, Livingston, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Richmond, Steuben, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, Wayne Counties . Host plants of concern include a variety of species Primary: Oak; Other: Birch, Beech, Walnut, and Acacia. The state map below indicates the trapping

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site locations. No OPM were found.

Trypodendron domesticum , European Hardwood Ambrosia Beetle (EHAB) 30 Lindgren traps were set at 15 sites throughout Region 1 on approximately March 15 and removed approximately June 7 and throughout Regions2 & 3 approximately April 1 and removed approximately June 24. There were 2,946 suspect specimens collected from 30 traps during 178 total servicing in Albany, Essex, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Nassau, Schoharie, Steuben, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, and Wayne Counties. Host plants of concern include over 50 species of hardwood, fruit trees and shrubs, with preference to Alder, Birch, Maple, Oak and other similar species. The state map below indicates the trapping site locations. (Some site locations may overlap). NCSU APHIS Plant Pest Forecasting System (NAPPFAST) projects that EHAB could establish in this part of the state if it were introduced. No EHAB were found.

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2013 Farm Bill Survey Summary Report

Stone Fruit Commodity Survey

A survey was conducted of stone fruit orchards outside the existing quarantine (Niagara, Orleans and Wayne Counties) for Plum Pox Virus (PPV). Counties were selected based on risk for having PPV looking at distance from previous positive detections in adjacent New York counties and Ontario, Canada. 13,909 samples were collected from 4 counties (Chautauqua, Monroe, Ontario & Seneca) all samples tested negative.

Trapping was conducted for the Plum Fruit Moth ( funebrana). 10 Wing traps with the appropriate lure were placed in 2 counties (Monroe & Ontario), traps were monitored throughout the season. Twenty seven (27) moth specimens were collected for determination. No specimens determined to be Plum Fruit Moth.

Phytophthora ramorum National Nursery Survey

A survey was conducted of nurseries that were determined to be high risk based on the volume of host material received from the west coast. The survey consisted of water baiting in bodies of water, bottle of bait detection method and leaf sampling. All host materials that were identified as positive for P. ramorum and high risk host plants in proximity of positive host material were destroyed. An environs survey was conducted around nurseries that had previous positive plants and water bodies. Symptomatic material was collected. No positive detections were found in the environs. NYS Horticultural Inspectors also participated with an environs survey conducted by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation with USFS funding. No samples from that survey were positive.

Grape Commodity Survey

A survey was conducted of grape nurseries and vineyards in the grape growing regions of New York. Nurseries and vineyards were surveyed for:  Lobesia botrana – European Grapevine Moth (GVM)  Adoxophyes orana – Summer Fruit Tortrix  Eupoecilia ambiguella – European Grape Berry Moth  Spodoptera littoralis‐ Egyptian Cottonworm  Australian Grapevine Yellows

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Orchard Commodity Survey

A survey was conducted of apple and stone fruit orchards for:  formosana – Cherry Bark Tortrix (CBT)  Epiphyas postvittana –Light Brown Apple Moth (LBM)  Candidatus Phytoplasma mali – Apple Proliferation Phytoplasma (APP)

Tomato Commodity Survey

A survey was conducted of tomato fields for:  Tuta absoluta – Tomato Leafminer (TLM)  Ralstonia solanaearum R3B2  Virus symptoms

Distribution Center and Warehouse Domestic Inspection Program

A survey with outreach was conducted of Distribution and Warehouses involved in state to state commerce. Work with establishments was conducted to make them aware of potential introduction of invasive pests. Risk pathways were identified to better target future inspections.

Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Contracts were initiated with Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Essex and Onondaga County, Empire State Forest Products Association, and the Catskills Regional Invasive Species Partnership to provide assistance to the Department with the 2013 Forests Pests Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP) in New York to meet the following goals and objectives:

a) Educated public and private individuals and groups through numerous outreach events, on the importance of Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and other forest pests of concern to the State and how to prevent their spread, as well as how to identify adult ALB and EAB signs/symptoms of infestation and what time of year to look for these insects; b) Conducted workshops aimed at sawmill operators /wood manufacturers and forest land owners so they are familiar with the signs and damage of ALB and EAB. EAB kits were distributed at each workshop. c) Engaged public and private individuals and groups to look for and report suspect finds of forest pests though a training session held in Syracuse. Thirty‐ three community members participated. d) Conducted high‐risk survey with trained volunteers and NYSDAM inspectors in and around the city of Syracuse. Soon after the training was over, EAB was found in Syracuse and those trained assisted with the survey around the infestation.

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e) Conducted outreach activities at NY State Thruway rest stops during the months of July and August. Staffed a booth the NY State Fair where an estimated 100,000 visitors passed through the Horticulture Building.

Funding for the FPOSP initiative was secured from the 2013 Farm Bill and provided through a cooperative agreement with USDA/APHIS/PPQ.

Apiary Inspection and Honey Bee Health New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has had a successful year with three seasonal apiary inspectors. The programs they were involved in were as follows:

Certification An inspection and verification of bee diseases to permit bee operations to travel to other states relatively disease free.

Certification of colonies was done during the period of February 10, 2013 to December 15, 2013. The inspection results are as follows:  48 beekeepers entered NYS with approximately 41,396 colonies and 3180 nucs.  Of the 56 total certificates expected for entry into NYS, only 19 arrived.  This is 66% of certificates not received  49 beekeepers exited the state with 37,385 colonies and 284 nucs, certified by NYS.  Of the 37, 385 colonies exiting NYS, approximately 11% (4,245 colonies) were examined for American Foulbrood, mite levels and Nosema disease.  American foulbrood (AFB) level was at 0.07%. 3 colonies were positive for AFB.  Varroa mites in colonies were an average of 38% above the economic threshold (three mites per 100 bees) for most operations sampled.  Nosema disease was an average of 76% above the economic threshold (1.0 million spores per bee) for most operations sampled.

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 Approximately 90% of the colonies that entered New York State in 2013 also exited the state by the end of the year. In previous years this figure is roughly 75%. This increase in colonies exiting the state usually indicates that a large NYS honey crop was produced and that colonies were stronger and healthier to exit the state in the fall. However, the NYS honey crop this year was smaller than normal and the cluster sizes were smaller. National Honey Bee Survey (NHBS) New York State’s results are compared with 33 other states. Over the past 4 years this survey work has created a baseline of pest and pathogen levels in the U.S. for honey bees.

In 2013, eight colonies per apiary from twenty‐four apiaries were sampled. Samples were analyzed for seven viruses, Nosema disease (a parasitic fungal disease), and 3 parasitic mites, including a new mite not known to be present in the U.S. called Tropilaelaps. Pollen samples were collected from these same colonies for pesticide analysis from ten of the twenty‐four apiaries. All sample collections for the NHBS were completed by September 2013. Results of these pests, diseases and pesticides have been received from the USDA Federal bee lab, and will be tabulated in 2014.

Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP)

A federal program through the 2008 Farm Bill designed to partially compensate beekeepers for their colony losses attributed to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). New York State apiary inspectors act as the third party to verify the losses and to report the results to the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The continuance of ELAP for 2013 was in question at the beginning of last year. However, funding was secured and will be distributed in 2014 for the 2012/2013 season. Information collected by NYSDAM in 2012 and 2013 will be of assistance to NYS beekeepers.

Honey Bee Health Program (HBHP) This relatively new NYSDAMs program helps beekeepers by closely monitoring varroa mite and fungus disease that are harmful to commercial operations. The establishment of Best Bee Management Practices (BBMP) is important in the reduction of yearly colony losses within commercial operations. The result is stronger colonies and additional colonies to pollinate the many U.S. agricultural crops. The purpose of this program is to find solutions to reduce participant’s colony losses, which have been 50% to 80% for the past eight years. This is an ongoing program to find solutions to beekeepers’ bee issues.

This year’s program included five beekeepers that had approximately 11,000 colonies. Total colonies tested were 1,722. An average of 4.50 varroa mites/100 bees and 4.55 nosema spores/bee was found. Participation in this year’s survey was low and as a result, data collected was not reflective of what has happened in the bee yards.

During the 2013 season focus shifted to include quality and the genetic makeup of the queens in the colonies of honey bees as a factor of colony survival. The progress made in 2012 indicated there was not a significant reduction in the percent of yearly colony losses when Nosema levels and varroa mite levels are reduced and maintained at sustainable lower levels in these five bee operations. There are

April 2014 Page 26 more overriding circumstances or reasons that are weakening or killing large number of colonies of bees beside the Nosema disease and varroa mite levels.

Pesticide Assistance New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is assisting the Department of Environmental Conservation with collecting bee samples for pesticide testing. The samples are tested for pesticide and then turned over to the DEC so they can determine through their own lab if a pesticide kill has occurred. Agriculture & Markets will initially determine if the bee loss is from a bee issue or if it is from a potential pesticide issue before the DEC becomes involved.

In 2012 and in 2013 there was a substantial increase in piles of dead bees in front of many colonies. This coincided with corn planting, and at the time of petal fall for apples.

Education/Outreach This past year the Apiculturist has attended meetings and has given presentations and fielded phone calls from concerned beekeepers.  Presented at two local bee club meetings.  Presented at two meetings of the Apiary Industry Advisory Committee.  Distributed materials to beekeepers pertaining to current apiary issues and disease levels.  Attended a national Apiary Inspectors of America meeting in Riverside Maryland as the President of the AIAC.

Winter Loss Participation in the Bee Informed Partnership National Winter Loss and Management Survey. This survey continues the effort to quantify the colony losses suffered by U.S. beekeepers over the winter season. It is a partnership with the USDA‐ARS. Results are summarized as follows:

o Commercial beekeepers in total had 8,050 colonies dead of 19,916 original colonies; a 40% loss rate. o Sideliners in total had 351 colonies dead of the original 868 colonies; a 40% loss rate. o Hobby beekeepers showed a 100% colony loss. These figures were obtained by and included in the Farm Bureau membership.

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS

Integrated Pest Management ($500,000)

The mission of the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is to develop and deliver sustainable ways to manage pests that are cost‐effective and pose minimal risks to human health and the environment. The program focuses on IPM strategies that address a wide range of plant and animal pests including arthropods, crop diseases, weeds and vertebrate pests through programs of implementation and development/research.

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The IPM Program is critical to the development and implementation of economically and environmentally sustainable tactics for farmers to manage annually recurring insect, weed, disease and vertebrate pests, as well as new invasive species and those that have become more difficult to control due to development of resistance to pesticides.

The 2013/14 allocation for the Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program conducted through the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell totaled $500,000. Cumulative appropriations for this publicly supported program have amounted to $23,072,874 over a 29 year period since its inception in 1985.

During this period of sustained support, approximately 1,065 research and development, demonstration and implementation projects have been funded in the areas of fruit, vegetables, ornamentals and turf, and dairy/field crops. The emphasis of funding continues to be in the area of bio‐intensive studies and implementation projects.

Golden Nematode Resistant Variety Breeding and Accelerated Propagation ($62,000)

This program seeks to develop and deploy golden nematode (GN) resistant potato varieties as part of an integrated, multidisciplinary, multi‐agency program to control the spread of this serious quarantine pest. The availability and use of the resistant varieties is necessary to maintain New York’s $72.7 million potato industry. In addition, the existing Federal/State cooperative effort requires those growers operating on regulated fields to plant resistant varieties as part of a land management system.

The development of the resistant varieties and their subsequent use had made possible the enforcement of quarantine requirements without the use of pesticides. In the four‐year period prior to the use of resistant varieties in the required land management system, 56,000 gallons of soil fumigants had been used in the program. The resistant varieties have enabled the Department to reduce its program costs and lessen the potential of adverse impacts on the environment.

The detection of a new biotype of the golden nematode (Ro2) that is not affected by those varieties developed and resistant to the Ro1 strain emphasizes the continued importance and need for additional support of this program.

Also included as part of the total program, is the support for continued research and development of meristematic tissue culture. This propagation technique has provided for the rapid increase of resistant varieties and hastens the availability of the new varieties for commercial use. The use of this technique has also provided opportunities for the elimination of a number of plant diseases peculiar to potatoes. Consequently, the potato seed resulting from the breeding program is not only resistant to the golden nematode, but is also free of major diseases.

Potato Variety Identification Program ($6,500)

The potato variety contract allows the Department to monitor the crop rotation mandated for use on regulated acreage under Part 127 of the Golden Nematode quarantine. The mandated rotation suppresses the GN population below the level of spread and facilitates our efforts to contain this serious soil borne pest. It is virtually impossible to visually distinguish resistant potato plants from a susceptible species of Irish potato.

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Department Horticultural Inspectors sample leafs of potato plants on GN regulated fields. These leafs are submitted to Cornell University for DNA analysis determining if they are from a resistant potato variety. The analysis allows us to determine if the grower was compliant with the GN regulations.

The failure to maintain this "surveillance" could result in the expansion of the areas under quarantine and the regulation of other soil bearing crops such as nursery stock, onions and sod. In 2013, a total of 168 samples were tested from 56 regulated fields.

Plant Pest Diagnosis and Identification ($15,000)

The goal of the New York State’s CAPS program is to improve survey, detection, identification, and electronic information exchange of pests and beneficial organisms of importance to New York and American agriculture. The objectives of the program are to: a) Develop a statewide survey plan for exotic pests, pests of export significance and PPQ program pest/beneficial organisms in accordance with the national guidelines; b) Communicate results of survey efforts to interested user groups on a timely basis via electronic message system; c) Provide a network of contacts for coordinating emergency pest situations; d) Maintain and enhance capabilities for collecting and processing crop, pest and beneficial data using electronic capabilities; e) Transfer pertinent pest data from agricultural detection surveys to the NAPIS database.

Also included in the contract are taxonomic services to support survey and inspection activities.

New York State Seed Testing Laboratory ($128,000)

Growers depend on seed purity, germination and freedom from weed seeds to produce maximum yield and profitability. In order to ensure the consumer that products are accurately labeled and to establish a level playing field for seed producers and marketers, inspections are conducted by the Department's Horticultural Inspection personnel for enforcement of the sampling, analysis, production, tagging, labeling certification and sale of seed within the state. Seed offered or exposed for sale within New York is subject to specific labeling and testing requirements as stated in Article 9 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.

The work of the NYS Seed Testing Laboratory is supportive of seed producers, growers and food processors that submit seed samples for testing prior to planting. This is important because poor quality seeds can put an entire crop at risk. Seed analysts in the lab also test seeds submitted by the Department, which seeks to ensure that seeds sold in New York are accurately labeled. Thus, by the very nature of the work carried out by the Seed Lab, the work is relevant to stakeholders’ needs for an unbiased source of accurate information for seed samples and helps to keep the agricultural sector of the State’s economy strong by ensuring that growers plant high quality seeds leading to productive crops.

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Tree Removal for Asian Longhorned Beetle ($149,850)

The federal‐state Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) workforce continue to survey the 137 square miles of New York City and Long Island under quarantine continuously for signs of beetle damage and/or activity. There are over 2.7 million street trees in New York City with about one third or more susceptible to attack. It is estimated that there are over 858 million susceptible trees in the state at risk. For this reason, it is important to remove infested trees as soon as possible. The timing of removals is of critical importance during the adult emergence and flight period. If standing trees are not promptly removed during this period, adult beetles may emerge and spread to non‐infested areas of the state.

Forest Pest Outreach and Survey ($20,500)

Separate contracts were initiated with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, the Empire State Forest Products Association and Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Essex and Onondaga Counties to provide assistance to the Department with the 2012/13 Forests Pests Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP) in New York to meet the following goals and objectives: a) Educate public and private individuals and groups on the importance of Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and other forest pests of concern to the State and how to prevent their spread, as well as how to identify adult ALB and EAB signs/symptoms of infestation and what time of year to look for these insects; b) Engage public and private individuals and groups to look for and report suspect finds of forest pests; c) Educate businesses that receive goods from East Asian countries how ALB, EAB and other wood boring pests arrive in the U.S., what to look for and where to report suspect infestations; d) Educate the public about the importance of not moving firewood.

Funding for the FPOSP initiative was secured from the 2012 Farm Bill and provided through a cooperative agreement with USDA/APHIS/PPQ.

Asian Longhorned Beetle Telephone Hotline ($33,600)

The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) telephone hotline serves as a first stop for the general public to gain information about the ALB and other forest invasive pests. New York City Street Tree Consortium d/b/a Trees New York, working cooperatively with NYSDAM and USDA/APHIS/PPQ, screens incoming calls and forwards them to the ALB program via USDA’s ERIS database for further action. The contract required the vendor to provide matching funds to cover the total cost to operate and staff the ALB hotline. Through the hotline, data on the number of calls, location of calls, number of calls reported to the ERIS database, type of inquiries and number of positive ALB detections is compiled.

Funds for the operation of the ALB hotline were provided through a cooperative agreement with USDA/APHIS/PPQ.

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Ro2 Control and Greenhouse Bioassay Procedure for GN Soil Samples ($49,000)

Golden Nematode was discovered on Long Island in the 1940's and was spread into the Finger Lakes region through the movement of farm equipment in the 1960's. This is the only known infestation of GN in the U.S. NYSDAM and USDA/APHIS have successfully maintained a program of containment for over 40 fields. Containment has involved quarantine of not only "infested" fields, but also "exposed" fields. This has resulted in significant acreage being subject to quarantine, crop rotation practices, and sanitation of equipment and soil surveys.

Fields and nurseries may be eligible for deregulation due to recent bilateral agreements with Canada which now provides a process for deregulation. Deregulation will provide savings to private landowners and farmers who will no longer have to practice crop rotations and sanitation of equipment. Deregulation will also allow for savings to both federal and state governments.

USDA/APHIS and NYSDAM are collaborating on the development of a framework to achieve deregulation of 90% of the currently regulated acreage over a five year period. Before deregulation can be considered, a bioassay of each field must be conducted with soil samples collected and analyzed. To assist with this initiative, NYSDAM contracted with Cornell University to develop and implement a greenhouse bioassay as an alternate to field planting of host crops for deregulation and to research the effectiveness of NY140 against the Ro2 field population of Golden Nematode.

Funding for the Ro2 Control and Greenhouse Bioassay Procedure initiative was secured from the 2012 Farm Bill and provided through a cooperative agreement with USDA/APHIS/PPQ.

Hops Evaluation and Field Testing ($40,000)

Funds were provided in FY 2013/14 for hops evaluation and field testing. The primary goals and objectives of this initiative include the: a) Establishment of an evaluation and research block of hops at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. This planting includes varieties for research and evaluation, as well as to propagate from; b) Testing of pesticide application technologies. Two test plots will be developed for application trials to improve application techniques while monitoring efficacy of various control measures; c) Production and distribution of an IPM Guide for Hops Growers.

Reinstating a Grape Certification Program in New York ($62,000)

Plant viruses negatively impact grape production and quality. The greatest risk of introduction of these viruses is in graft transmission. The aim of this initiative is designed to promote sustained growth of the northeastern grape and wine industry through the development of a certification program. The project establishes the technical foundation and grape certification framework for a voluntary program

April 2014 Page 31 accessible to growers for the production of virus tested grape materials. Many grape varieties favorable for the growing conditions of the Eastern United States are not available as virus certified or are not available in the quantities desired. This certification will fill a need not currently being address in the United States. The primary goals and objectives of this project are to: a) Identify viruses of concern; b) Develop best management practices to establish and maintain grape certification status; c) Establish certification standards; d) Conduct virus indexing of grape by biological and serological/molecular methods.

Funding for the Reinstating a Grape Certification Program initiative was secured from the 2012 Farm Bill and provided through a cooperative agreement with USDA/APHIS/PPQ.

Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund ($150,000)

The turfgrass industry is an important industry in New York State as approximately 3.5 million acres in the State are covered with turfgrass, consisting of lawns, parks, golf courses, sports fields, sod farms, industrial and institutional grounds, rights of way, etc. Turfgrass has a major influence on the quality of life for New Yorkers.

There is growing concern that turf maintenance practices, most notably use of pesticides and fertilizers, are harmful to living organisms and the environment. The primary goal of the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund is to support science‐based research aimed at striking a balance between the needs and expectations of turf‐end users, sound and integrated management practices and protection of humans and the environment. The FY 2013/14 allocation provides funds for four projects that exemplify the mission of the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund.

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

The Division’s plant health inspection services benefits from federal funding available through federal‐ state cooperative agreements to conduct specific plant pest surveys and or control activities. Federal‐ state cooperative agreements provide funding for the following activities and functions:

Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0325‐CA: Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) – provided federal funding in the amount of $216,670 during the period of 1/1/13 to 12/31/13 to survey and detect exotic plant pests that may threaten New York agriculture and the continental United States.

Cooperative Agreement 13‐8130‐0253‐CA: Evaluating the Success of Biological Control of the Emerald Ash Borer in New York State – provides federal funding in the amount of $25,000 during the period of 6/1/13 to 5/31/14 to conduct investigations to evaluate the efficacy of biological control of the Emerald Ash Borer in New York State.

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Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0851‐CA: Grape Commodity Survey – provides federal funding in the amount of $75,000 during the period of 5/15/13 to 5/14/14 to survey for the presence of insects and diseases of grapes that cause significant damage to grapes, and in turn, the grape industry.

Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0981‐CA: Orchard Commodity Survey – provides federal funding in the amount of $50,000 during the period of 6/15/13 to 6/14/14 to monitor for the presence of insects and diseases of orchards that cause significant damage to fruit, and in turn, the fruit industry.

Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0859‐CA: Phytophthora ramorum National Nursery Survey – provides federal funding in the amount of $20,000 during the period of 5/1/13 to 4/30/14 to enhance survey efforts for Phytophthora ramorum and assist high‐risk nurseries in avoiding introductions.

Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0985‐CA: Stone Fruit Commodity Survey – provides federal funding in the amount of $120,000 during the period of 6/24/13 to 6/23/14 to monitor for the presence of insects and diseases of stone fruit (peach, plum, apricot and nectarine) that cause significant damage to stone fruit, and in turn, the stone fruit industry.

Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0982‐CA: Tomato Commodity Survey – provides federal funding in the amount of $30,000 during the period of 6/24/13 to 6/23/14 to survey and monitor for the presence of insects and diseases that cause significant damage to tomatoes, and in turn, the vegetable industry.

Cooperative Agreement 12‐8236‐0184‐CA: Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) – provides federal funding in the amount of $7,103,442 during the period of 1/1/12 to 12/31/14 to conduct survey, control and regulatory activities for the ALB within New York, the removal and disposal of ALB infested trees, in addition to the operation of an ALB telephone hotline.

Cooperative Agreement 12‐8236‐0920‐CA: Distribution Center and Warehouse Domestic Inspection Program – provided federal funding in the amount of $185,000 during the period of 9/1/12 to 8/31/13 to establish an inspection program of distribution centers and warehouses in New York for signs and symptoms of plant pests. Cooperative Agreement #13‐8236‐0920‐CA continues to provide federal funding in the amount of $157,593 for this initiative during the period of 9/1/13 to 8/31/14.

Cooperative Agreement 12‐8100‐1665‐CA: Reinstating a Grape Certification Program in New York – provided federal funding in the amount of $133,000 during the period of 9/15/12 to 9/14/13 for the initiative to promote sustained growth of New York’s thriving northeastern grape and wine industry through reinstating a grape certification program. Cooperative Agreement #13‐8130‐0294‐CA continues to provide federal funding in the amount of $133,000 for this initiative during the period of 9/15/13 to 9/14/14.

Cooperative Agreement 12‐8236‐0857‐CA: Deregulation and Enhanced Regulatory Activities of Golden Nematode in New York – provided federal funding in the amount of $127,500 during the period of 9/1/12 to 8/31/13 to develop and verify the information sets required to support deregulation decision making of Golden Nematode regulated acreage. Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0857‐CA continues to provide federal funding in the amount of $92,500 for this initiative during the period of 9/1/13 to 8/31/14.

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Cooperative Agreement 12‐8236‐0758‐CA: Forest Pests Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP) – provided federal funding in the amount of $42,500 during the period of 9/1/12 to 8/31/13 to conduct early detection surveys for the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and other forest pests potentially vectored from Asian dunnage or solid‐wood packing materials. Funds were also included for outreach workshops to educate the public about forest pests through train‐the‐trainer and targeted outreach events. Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0758‐CA continues to provide federal funding in the amount of $37,500 for this initiative during the period of 9/1/13 to 8/31/14.

Cooperative Agreement 12‐8236‐0756‐CA: Honey Bee Survey – provided federal funding in the amount of $20,000 during the period of 6/20/12 to 6/19/13 to conduct a survey of honey bee pests and pathogens and to determine the current status of honey bee colony production and health in New York. Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0756‐CA continues to provide federal funding in the amount of $20,000 for this initiative during the period of 6/20/13 to 6/19/14.

Cooperative Agreement 12‐8236‐0245‐CA: Plum Pox Virus – provided federal funding in the amount of $688,164 during the period of 5/28/12 to 5/27/13 to conduct a Plum Pox Virus (PPV) survey in the PPV quarantine areas in New York. This survey is the foundation for eradicating PPV from New York. Cooperative Agreement 13‐8236‐0245‐CA continues to provide federal funding in the amount of $250,000 for this initiative during the period of 5/28/13 to 5/27/14.

Staffing

The Division’s staff levels are currently as follows: 41 permanent field staff, 34 temporary positions supporting ALB eradication, 28 temporary positions support PPV eradication, 6 temporary positions supporting horticultural services, and 3 seasonal apiary inspectors. The Division’s management and support staff number 6 permanent positions with two temporary staff.

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Pennsylvania Plant Health, Botany: Noxious Weed, and Entomology 2013

PLANT HEALTH DIVISION

The Plant Health Division (Ruth Welliver, Program Manager) houses plant inspection programs and plant disease survey and laboratory functions. Division programs protect the health of plants in the neighborhoods, fields, and forests of the Commonwealth. It provides consumer protection for farmers and homeowners purchasing plants by ensuring the plants that they buy are healthy, and it helps to provide a level playing field for businesses wanting to sell plants interstate or internationally. The Division is made up of seven permanent employees, one long-term wage employee, and varying numbers of contract and seasonal employees. The plant merchant licensing and plant inspection program (Dana Rhodes, State Plant Regulatory Official) is responsible for phytosanitary inspection and certification. The Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (Dr. SeongHwan Kim, Supervising Pathologist) provides disease diagnostic support to survey, plant inspection, and certification programs. The Fruit Tree Improvement Program (FTIP) and Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) coordination are run through this division.

Plant Merchant and Licensing and Inspection

2013 By The Numbers: Licensing and Certification  8% increase of Plant Merchants licensed in 2013

 9% increase in Federal Phytosanitary certificates written by Plant

Inspectors  23% increase in State Phytosanitary certificates written by Plant Inspectors

Nursery/Nursery Dealer Certification: Regional plant inspectors continue to contact businesses that need to be licensed under requirements of the Plant Pest Act, inspect registered business, and provide inspections for federal and state phytosanitary certificates. Over 8,600 businesses were licensed as Plant Merchants in Pennsylvania in 2013. This number includes nursery operations, greenhouse operations, plant dealers, brokers, and landscapers.

Phytosanitary Certification: In 2013, 678 federal phytosanitary certificates were issued to ship plants internationally. This is an increase of 9% from 2012. 569 state phytosanitary certificates were issued to ship plants within the United States, an increase of 132 certificates from 2012.

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Shipping Apple Nursery Stock to Canada: In early 2013, a situation arose which found numerous PDA Bureau of Plant Industry staff acting as a team to assist a large PA nursery to ship their orders into Canada. To obtain phytosanitary certification allowing entry into Canada, over fifty shipments (containing in excess of 280,000 apple trees) were inspected and sampled by the PDA for soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Over 1,300 root samples were collected from the trees and tested in the PDA’s laboratory for SCN over a two month timeframe. With constant communication with the nursery and dedication of the staff, all shipments were able to be released. We are pleased to report that Canada has changed their regulations this year, so no similar project will need to be undertaken.

Nursery/Nursery Dealer Inspections: A total of 4,331 inspections of nurseries, nursery dealers and greenhouses were performed for calendar year 2013. Inspections are conducted to protect Pennsylvania horticulture from harmful plant pests, and as surveillance of the nursery industry which serves as a pathway for potential new exotic pest introductions that could prove harmful to Pennsylvania’s green industries. 361 "Stop Sales" were issued as a result of identification of pests of concern by the plant inspectors. A total of 1,717 samples were processed by the entomology, pathology, botany, nematology, and virology labs to support the Plant Health Program and Plant Inspectors. The number of samples increased by 349 from 2012. This increase was likely a result of trace forwards conducted for Phytopthora ramorum or “Sudden Oak Death” (see below).

Phytophthora ramorum trace forward work in 2013: Plant pests entering and moving through trade continue to be a concern for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Plant Inspectors monitor and inspect locations for insect and disease pests which threaten the state. In 2013, Pennsylvania Plant Inspectors conducted over 100 trace forward inspections for Phytopthora ramorum host material shipped into the Commonwealth from out-of-state nurseries that had tested positive for this disease. These inspections resulted in over 200 samples being collected and tested by the PDA Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. All 2013 trace forwards tested negative for this quarantine disease. Phytopthora ramorum, also known as Sudden Oak Death, is a disease known to occur in California, Oregon and Washington. Most of the potentially infected plants shipped into Pennsylvania were sent directly to residents. This disease could cause considerable damage and loss to our hardwoods and landscape if established in Pennsylvania.

FRUIT TREE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

2013 By The Numbers: Fruit Tree Improvement Program FTIP opens markets, reduces production losses due to viruses, and improves quality of trees produced by participating nurseries. In 2013:  4,998 leaf samples tested for virus  172 broadleaf weeds tested  25 soil samples  2 participating nurseries met all requirements of the FTIP

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The Pennsylvania Fruit Tree Improvement Program (FTIP) provides specialized virus inspection and testing services for participating Pennsylvania fruit tree nurseries. An important partnership has developed between the nurseries and the PDA through the FTIP. The FTIP allows the nurseries to produce and make widely available nursery trees that have been tested for the most economically damaging viruses that affect apple, pear, quince and stone fruit. The PDA benefits from its strong relationship with the nurseries by having a consistent presence in these large production nurseries, allowing for the monitoring of common viruses as well as newly introduced disease.

All stone fruit nursery material was tested for Prunus necrotic ringspot (PNRSV), prune dwarf virus (PDV), tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), and plum pox virus (PPV). A total of 3,634 Prunus samples were processed through the FTIP laboratory in 2013, including 309 samples from a registered budwood production block, and 200 samples from a registered seed block. Composite samples from certified nursery blocks numbered 647. A total of 2,148 potential unregistered budwood source tree samples were submitted for testing by the nurseries, and an additional 330 common budwood samples were collected by FTIP personnel. In addition to the total of Prunus samples mentioned above, 1,364 samples were also collected from the registered seed and budwood blocks, as well as three common source blocks, for the sole purpose of plum pox virus testing. To monitor for tomato ringspot virus and its nematode vector, 172 broadleaf weed and 25 soil samples were collected and tested.

Registered blocks and nursery production blocks were found in thrifty growing condition, with no obvious signs of virus infection. All blocks met all virus-testing requirements for FTIP certification. No ToRSV was detected in nursery production blocks or in registered source blocks. PNRSV and PDV are the two viruses that remain the most commonly found viruses in Prunus in Pennsylvania, although finds in registered blocks and nursery production blocks are rare. Xiphinema sp. (dagger nematode) were present at very low but detectable levels in registered blocks, in nursery production blocks, and in proposed sites for nursery production. Their presence makes broadleaf weed (virus reservoir) control extremely important, to prevent introduction of tomato rinsgspot virus into the production scheme. All samples tested negative for plum pox virus, a virus declared eradicated from Pennsylvania in 2009.

Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Results

2013 By The Numbers: Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Samples  1531 samples processed  596 samples tested positive for a disease organism  2 diseases new to Pennsylvania identified in 2013

Pathogens detected in samples submitted to PDA: Samples submitted to the PDA plant disease diagnostic laboratories are collected by PDA Plant Inspectors as well as Penn State Extension and IPM specialists. Sample analysis is an integral part of inspection, certification, survey, extension, and regulatory programs. In 2013, we received 1,531 samples, a significant increase over 2012. The lab identified pathogens in 596 samples across 304 Page 3 different hosts. The distribution of bacteria, fungi, nematode, and virus among the pathogens were 9.7, 76.3, 1.2, and 12.8 %, respectively.

Boxwood blight, Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum: The first detection of boxwood blight In Pennsylvania was at a single nursery location in Lancaster County in January, 2012. Efforts to educate regulatory staff, extension staff, landscape professionals and growers on this new disease threat has resulted in a small number of positive finds in 2013. Trace forward investigations from known positive sites from other states have also yielded positive finds. A total of 12 positive samples were identified this year. Three of these positives were in garden center/nursery situations in Indiana, Delaware, and Chester County. Four residential sites were identified in Cumberland and Indiana Counties. All positive material was destroyed, and eradication protocols deployed. Three counties (Lancaster, Chester and Indiana) had sites that, because of the complexity of the situation, continue to be monitored and require action related to boxwood blight eradication.

Thousand cankers disease (TCD) fungal component, Geosmithia morbida. PSU detected TCD for the first time in 2011 in PA, and the PDA subsequently issued a quarantine restricting the movement of wood from Bucks County. This quarantine remains in place. In 2013, new samples from a walnut tree in the original Bucks County location tested positive for Geosmithia morbida. Four additional walnut samples submitted to the lab in 2013 were negative for this fungus.

Begonia bacterial wilt/spot/blight. Begonia bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas begoniae has become a notable disease in recent years. From 2007, the disease has occurred annually in spring and caused serious crop losses. The disease occurrence pattern suggests that the pathogen is being purchased with plant stock. In 2013, 42 begonia clinical samples were received and nine samples were infected with Xanthomonas begoniae.

Chrysanthemum white rust caused by Puccinia horiana. This regulated pest consistently appears in Pennsylvania. In 2013, plant inspectors submitted 45 chrysanthemum samples throughout the year, and 22 were positive for CWR. One of these samples was submitted in July; all others were submitted in September or October, the height of the mum season.

Detection of Phytophthora: A total of 33 samples submitted by Plant Inspection staff tested positive for Phytophthora spp. this year. Regulatory trace forward actions, a USDA-funded nursery survey, and a CAPS- funded nursery survey – all targeting P. ramorum – were conducted this year, but no P. ramorum was detected; other Phytophthora species were discovered Phytophthora citricola blight and sampled by Plant Inspectors, either during these of rhododendron

Page 4 surveys or in the course of their regular inspection duties, from plants displaying typical Phytophthora dieback symptoms.

Phytophthora isolations from forest streams of the Eastern U.S. The PDA lab continued its multi-year cooperation with the US Forest Service and the Pennsylvania State University to detect P. ramorum and catalogue Phytophthora species from forest streams in the Eastern United States. In 2013, we received and processed 662 samples from nine eastern states representing 109 stream sites.

New Diseases Identified In 2013: Two diseases were confirmed this year that were first reports for Pennsylvania, although both have been found in other states:

Pear trellis rust, Gymnosporangium sabinae: Samples of ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana) were submitted in the fall of 2013, exhibiting severe leaf spotting and blight. Identification of the pathogen was confirmed by USDA. By the end of the year, 17 positive samples had been submitted from 6 counties. The samples were collected from residential locations in several counties, as well as from a nursery.

Poppy Downy Mildew: Peronospora arbroescens, downy mildew of Papaver (Oriental poppy) was detected this spring in wholesale perennial production greenhouses. Symptoms on the upper leaf surface included chlorotic or reddish spots and splotches of unusual coloration. The underside of the leaf in these areas was covered with fuzzy downy mildew which was visible to the eye or with a hand lens.

Survey Activities

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture leads the Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) in PA with support from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Extension, DHS-Customs and Border Protection and USDA-APHIS-Plant Protection and Quarantine. The coordinating committee meets annually to review program needs and accomplishments, and to network about pest issues of concern to the Commonwealth. The infrastructure provided through the CAPS program creates a ready resource of expertise and diagnostic ability to address new introductions of damaging insects, pathogens, nematodes and weeds.

In January 2013, USDA-APHIS conducted an administrative and financial review of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) Cooperative

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Agreement. APHIS reported no significant findings from the review, and indicated that the monitoring of the agreement by both PDA and APHIS was commendable. The CAPS program funded 3 detection surveys in 2013. A summary of results follows:

o Exotic Wood Boring Beetles (EWBB): This survey was managed and run by Entomology Division staff, who provide a detailed account of results within their own 2013 report. To summarize here, the EWBB survey included 12 trapping sites (one in each of twelve counties) plus 749 visual survey records. The 12 trapping locations (98 variously baited traps) were established at sites deemed high-risk for exotic pest introduction. Target pests included insects affecting oak, sassafras, conifers, and other Northeastern hardwoods. Of the 29,770 specimens collected from traps, no targets of national concern were detected, although several pests of concern to Pennsylvania were identified. All visual surveys were negative for target pests.

o Survey for Cyst Nematodes of Regulatory Importance

2013 By the Numbers: CAPS nematode survey Potato fields: 34 counties, 189 fields, 567 samples; Tomato fields: 5 counties, 11 fields, 25 samples; All samples have tested negative for target pests, although processing is ongoing at the writing of this report.

o The golden cyst nematode (GN) and the pale cyst nematode (PCN) are the primary target pests for this survey of nematodes of regulatory concern. The known distribution for GN in the U.S. is a few counties in NY. The pale cyst nematode was found for the first time in the U.S. in 2006 in Idaho and has prompted APHIS PPQ to direct and fund a cooperative survey program for its detection. Pennsylvania is concerned about the Columbia root knot nematode, Meloidogyne chitwoodi, which has the potential to be introduced into Pennsylvania on seed potato. The same soil that is collected for cyst analysis is also examined via bioassay for Meloidogyne spp. to make the best use of travel and personnel.

o With the assistance of PSU county agents, acreage is identified and grower permission for survey is obtained throughout spring and summer. Soil sampling is conducted either manually or with a tractor-pulled mechanical sampling wheel according to the USDA protocol in the USDA Golden Nematode Program Manual and consistent with CAPS Approved Methods. Biosecurity measures include disinfection of tools, boots, vehicles and equipment with the use of a steamwasher. Sampling is conducted after harvest, beginning in August.

o Field activities in 2013 targeted commercial potato acreage in 34 PA counties. Certified seed potato acreage in Potter and Erie counties is included annually. For the first time in 2013, tomato acreage was also included in the soil sampling, since tomato is a second host for the three nematodes of regulatory concern. Eleven tomato fields in five counties were sampled (see map).

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NAPIS map showing counties of survey in PA potato and tomato fields. Samples subsequently tested negative for Globodera pallida, Globodera rostochiensis, and Meloidogyne chitwoodii

Laboratory processing is conducted in Harrisburg at the PDA. A portion of each sample is used for greenhouse bioassay to detect Meloidogyne. Air-dried samples are wet-sieved via modified Fenwick can or elutriated. Laboratory work continues from December through May. No Globodera spp. or M. chitwoodii nematodes were detected in 592 samples from 200 fields.

o Nursery/Greenhouse Pathogen Survey: Movement of plant material is a primary pathway for distribution of plant diseases. The third component of CAPS surveys in 2013 addressed this pathway by monitoring for three exotic diseases in commercial nurseries and greenhouses. The three disease targets for this survey were Phytophthora alni, Phytophthora ramorum, and Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2. These three diseases are not known to be present in Pennsylvania, but cause ecological and economic damage to forests, agricultural crops, and ornamental plants where they do occur.

In the course of their plant inspection duties, regional staff documented sites where susceptible host material was present, and noted whether or not symptoms of disease were found. Samples were taken when symptoms were present, and examined and/or tested in the PDA labs for survey target pathogens in addition to receiving a general diagnostic examination. o Ralstonia Bacterial Wilt: The objective of this survey project was to detect the presence or absence of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (Rsr3b2) in geranium

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and vegetable transplant production facilities and greenhouse operations. This select agent was previously detected in PA in 1995 and 1999-2003, but has not been detected since 2003. PDA plant inspectors documented inspection of over 4.8 million target host plants in plant merchant establishments across 40 of PA’s 67 counties. Visual monitoring was conducted of geraniums, tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplant, and symptomatic plants were collected as part of routine inspections. Lab analysis using ELISA and PCR, with isolation when possible, was conducted in Harrisburg at PDA’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab. A total of 105 potential host plant samples were submitted to the lab in 2013; no Rsr3b2 was detected.

o Phytophthora ramorum: The CAPS portion of P. ramorum work in 2013 targeted five common host species in commercial nursery settings. No P. ramorum was detected in surveys of more than 20,000 host plants in nurseries and garden centers across 19 counties.

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Other Pennsylvania surveys:

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN): SCN, Heterdera glycines, is of concern to Pennsylvania due to its impact on phytosanitary certification of nursery stock and its economic damage potential for soybean production (540,000 acres planted in PA in 2013). SCN has been found in only one PA county, and is limited in distribution within that county. In 2013, twenty-seven soybean fields in 5 counties were surveyed for SCN via soil sampling. No SCN was detected in 54 samples from those 27 soybean fields.

Boxwood Blight, Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum: Boxwood blight was first described in the United States in 2011 and detected in Pennsylvania in 2012. In conjunction with the CAPS-funded nursery survey, Plant Inspection staff surveyed 133 nurseries in 25 counties, viewing approximately 500,000 plants. 134 samples were taken from 21 counties – all were found negative for this new disease.

Survey Of Bacterial Diseases Of Tomato: Bacterial diseases of tomato are recurring problems in PA, and few control options are available. It is important to understand the pathogens causing the disease and the pathways they follow to enter a crop. In 2013, 443 tomato and pepper samples with bacterial disease symptoms were collected from 13 tomato fields primarily in Cumberland County. Xanthomonas gardneri (Bacterial spot) was isolated from two fields, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Bacterial speck) from four fields and Clavibacter michiganensis pv. michiganensis (Bacterial canker) from eight fields. Pith necrosis caused by Pseudomonas sp. was detected in three fields. Identification of all isolated bacterial strains has been confirmed with species-specific real-time and/or conventional PCR. All weeds (about 30 samples, including Nightshade) and seeds (3 samples) from the same fields tested negative. In contrast, all tomato transplant samples submitted to PDA from PA greenhouses tested negative for bacterial pathogens, while three X. euvesicatoria strains have been isolated from greenhouse pepper samples.

Fruit Tree Phytoplasma Survey: In 2013, 70 apple and pear samples were collected from 20 trees showing various disease symptoms in Adams County. Based on molecular diagnostics, phytoplasma presence was confirmed on two apple trees and one pear tree. The phytoplasma from apple was found to belong to the X-disease group (III 16Sr group), while the phytoplasma from pear more likely belongs to the AP group (X 16Sr group). All samples tested negative for Apple Proliferation phytoplasma. While X- disease is known to occur in Pennsylvania in peach, this is the first time we have found it in apple. The pear phytoplasma diagnostics completed to date are consistent with pear decline.

Special Projects

National Harmonization of Fruit Tree Certification Regulations. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been deeply involved in a national effort to harmonize virus-

Page 9 tested fruit tree nursery certification program regulations and create a regulatory standard for such programs. The harmonized standard will ensure quality and productivity of stone and pome fruit commodities, will provide for early detection of fruit tree pests (such as plum pox virus), and will create a better platform for international trade in tree fruit nursery stock. A working group combining state and federal regulators, university researchers, and industry collaborated to create a workable regulatory standard. A final draft of the main body of the standard is available online at http://ncpn-ft.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Model- Standard-October-2012.pdf. Pilot programs based on the new standard were successfully executed by three states, including Pennsylvania.

The PDA has also contributed to the current project to harmonize the organization and language of virus-tested certification regulations across the five National Clean Plant Network commodities (fruit trees, grapes, citrus, berries and hops). The most recent meeting of the cross-commodity harmonization group resulted in agreement that the harmonized fruit tree standard mentioned above would serve as the template for each commodity’s standard.

Publications:

Kim S.H., Nikolaeva E. V., Kang S. 2013. Molecular diagnosis of bacterial spot pathogens on pepper and tomato in Pennsylvania. Phytopathology. 103 (6) S2.16. Park B., Martin F., Geiser D. M., Kim H.S., Mansfield M. A., Nikolaeva E., Park S.Y., Coffey M. D., Russo J., Kim S.H., Balci Y., Abad G., Burgess T., Grünwald N.J., Cheong K., Choi J., Lee Y.H., and Kang S. 2013. Phytophthora Database 2.0: Update and Future Direction. Phytopathology. 103 (12) 1204-1208.

Botany Noxious Weed Program

The Bureau administers the Noxious Weed Control Law and Noxious Weed Control List and implements federal and state eradication and control programs when a noxious weed of limited distribution in the commonwealth is targeted by federal or state funding for suppression, control or eradication. Poisonous plant identification and information and the Poisonous Plants of Pennsylvania Publications are available from the Bureau. The State Herbarium, pressed plant collection, is located at the Department’s main office in Harrisburg. There are 13 Pennsylvania Noxious Weeds on the Control List for Pennsylvania (listed by their common names and also the scientific names).

o Bull Thistle or Spear Thistle - Cirsium Vulgare o Canada Thistle - Cirsium Arvense o Giant Hogweed - Heracleum Mantegazzianum (Active Field Program) o Goatsrue - Galega Officinalis (Active Field Program) o Jimsonweed - Datura Stramonium o Johnson Grass - Sorghum Halepense

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o Kudzu-Vine - Pueraria Lobata (Active Field Program) o Marijuana - Cannabis Sativa o Mile-a-Minute - Polygonum Perfoliatum (Active Field Program) o Multiflora Rose - Rosa Multiflora o Musk Thistle or Nodding Thistle - Carduus Nutans o Purple Loosestrife - Lythrum Salicaria (Active Field Program) o Shattercane -

Currently the Bureau is actively involved in the engaged in projects (some with USDA grant funding) to limit/slow the spread or eradicate four problem weeds in the commonwealth.

o Giant Hogweed – this very toxic plant was originally identified in over 500 locations. Eradication efforts have reduced the number of active sites by 310 to 70 active sites with 120 other locations with clearances pending. Four individual landowners, with a total of 13 plants, received assistance in giant hogweed control in 2013.

o Goatsrue – This fast spreading weed has been identified in 130 locations, treatments are limiting spread to new areas. Twenty individual landowners received assistance in goatsrue control totaling 32 acres of management in 2013.

o Kudzu vine – This aggressive vine has been identified in 63 locations, treatments show promise in control on smaller accessible stands.

o Mile-a-minute – Although widely spread in the southern portions of the state a slow the spread effort in the Sinnemahoning aera PDA was able to assist 43 landowners with invasive plant management and education. Nineteen individual landowners received assistance in mile a minute control that totaled 20.5 acres of mile a minute management. Although chemical control is still our main control method, other pest management techniques were implemented, such as biological and mechanical control. During the 2013 season 2,000 weevils, Rhinoncomimus latipes, were released to control mile a minute populations in the Sinnemahoning aera.

The Botany program also assists local municipalities in seeking landowner compliance with the control of noxious weeks growing on their properties. PDA is also a resource for identification of new threats to agriculture. The fall of 2013 was the first identification of an herbicide resistant pigweed – Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), in Pennsylvania fields. First found in Chester County, it was then identified in 6 additional locations. This aggressive weed will be part of continuing efforts in education and weed management planning as part of a response program.

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ENTOMOLOGY PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) Entomology Program is responsible for the regulation of invasive insect plant pests, which includes survey, laboratory analysis, and control/mitigation when warranted. In 2013, the Entomology Program either conducted or actively participated in 14 invasive insect pest surveys across the Commonwealth. The laboratory received and processed 5,876 different insect samples and identified 124,674 specimens from these samples. Regardless of the survey, all samples were screened for Cerambycidae, Buprestidae, Scolytinae, Pentatomoidea, Siricidae, Symphyta, Apoidea (Referred to as PDA Pests), and other select species like Drosophila suzukii (Spotted Wing Drosophila), Sirex noctilio, Larinus turbinutus, Adelges tsugae (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid), and Pyrhalta viburni (Viburnum Leaf Beetle). In addition, several other non-targeted species were identified if they were unfamiliar to staff taxonomists. Entomology surveys are carried out by permanent and temporary PDA staff, as well as cooperating government and non-government collaborators. Insect samples are also submitted through cooperative extension, private industry, and the general public.

Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB): This pest continues to be a top priority for Pennsylvania. ALB was declared eradicated from portions of New York, New Jersey, and Ontario in 2013. Unfortunately, new populations of ALB were discovered in New York and Ontario. Pennsylvania continues to screen all wood destroying insect samples for ALB, all of which were negative in 2013. In addition, ALB visual surveillance is performed as part of Pennsylvania’s Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey. PDA also responds to a number of public reports for ALB each year. No ALB was detected in PA in 2013. PDA intends to continue visual surveillance in 2014, and supplement with trapping in cooperation with Dr. Kelli Hoover of Penn State University.

Warehouse Light Trap Survey: In May of 2013, the USDA-APHIS PPQ office out of Carlisle PA, established 12 light trap sites at warehouses in five PA counties that receive shipments of products originating outside of the United States. Facilities targeted were known to have received shipments that contained pests from abroad in the past. The traps were serviced every two weeks until the end of September. A total of 108 samples were submitted to the PDA Entomology Laboratory for analysis. This survey targeted a combination of 22 different beetles and moths not known to occur in the United States. None of the USDA target pests were detected, but one non-native weevil, identified as Oxyderces sp., was identified from a site in Allegheny County. No additional specimens of this weevil were recovered in traps.

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Grape Commodity Pest Survey: PDA first implemented a grape pest survey in 2010 using Farm Bill money from the USDA. In 2013, PDA once again received Farm Bill money to survey for pests of grape. The survey was run from July until the end September in 2013 and will resume in April of 2014 and continue until the end of June. Target pests include Autographa gamma (silver-Y moth), Lobesia batrana (European grape vine moth), Spodoptera littoralis (Egyptian cotton leafworm), and Heteronychus arator (African black beetle). The moths are surveyed using pheromone baited traps and Heteronychus arator is visual survey only. Surveyors established 111 traps at 19 survey sites in seven counties and generated 1072 samples. In addition surveyors conducted visual surveys for African black beetle at each trap service. None of the four target pests were detected in 2013. The survey is scheduled to resume in the spring of 2014.

Tomato Commodity Pest Survey: Due to numerous new detections of the tomato pest, Tuta absoluta (Family Gellechiidae) in Europe, a small survey for this pest was conducted through the PDA IPM program in 2010. In 2011 and 2012, PDA received Farm Bill money to implement an official survey in PA and this was continued in 2013. In addition, PA was asked to deploy traps for Chrysodeixis chalcites, a moth pest recently detected in Ontario Canada, and these traps were added to sites in 2013. Two seasonal surveyors were hired and deployed 66 traps at 20 high risk sites in nine counties at tomato processing and retail food distribution centers as well as at some select tomato producers. Sites were established in July and most traps were monitored through the end of September with a few sites running later into November. This survey will resume in April of 2014 and continue through the end of June. Surveyors submitted 398 samples throughout the 2013 season that had moth specimens, all of which were negative for Tuta absoluta and Chrysodeixis chalcites. Traps did collect 40 specimens of other moths in the Family Gelechiidae, 10 of which were identified as Kieferia lycopesicella (Tomato Pinworm).

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Cut Flower Survey:

For many years PDA has worked closely with members of the US Custom and Border Patrol sharing information which leads to the detection of new invasive plant pests. Part of the effort sees PDA review port interception reports to help identify interception trends and pathways for plant pest introductions. In the past several years Thysanoptera, also known as thrips, had been routinely intercepted on shipments of cut flowers. As a pilot survey in 2013, PDA plant inspectors were asked to sample cut flower shipments the week of February first, focusing on thrips. Inspectors visited nine cut flower distributers in six counties, where they generated 46 samples. The samples contained 80 insect specimens, including beetles, flies, aphids, and the target, thrips. Two of the thrips identified were not native to PA, including Thrips palmi and Frankliniella panamensis. Though these collections are considered to be interceptions requiring no regulatory action, they do demonstrate that a possible pathway for introduction exists. In 2014, the survey will be slightly modified to see if serious pests like thrips palmi can survive past the distributor, and remain viable to the flowers retail destination, where the likelihood of transfer to plants for planting is increased. Inspectors are scheduled to generate 50 samples per month from across PA.

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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): 2013 marked the sixth year since the Buprestidae beetle Agrilus planipennis was discovered in Butler County and the third year since the removal of the in-state quarantine which had restricted the 2013 movement of materials from known infested areas to non- infested areas. It was also the third year of bio-control efforts by our cooperating agency (DCNR), and the third season of the tropical ash rearing project to support the production of bio-control agents. At the beginning of 2013 there were 31 counties with confirmed populations of EAB known in PA, and no official survey work was performed by PDA in 2013.

In 2013, largely due to efforts by the DCNR, 16 additional counties had EAB populations confirmed. These new detections bring the total number of infested PA counties to 47 of January 1, 2014. Most alarming were the detections in the northern counties of Bradford, Warren, Tioga, and Potter. Though not unexpected, these counties boast some of the highest percentages of ash forest in PA, are home to source materials for the baseball bat industry. Impacts of EAB are expected to be severe for communities and forests in these counties.

Over 350 Fraxinus uhdei (tropical ash) were started from seed in July of 2011 to support the rearing of EAB biological at the National Rearing Lab in Brighton, MI. Germination and initial growth of the seedlings continued through December of 2011. In 2012 the ash trees were cut back and an initial shipment of 400 leaves and a number of cut back trees were sent to Michigan in May. Starting in November of 2012, regular shipments of leaves were made (as need dictated by the rearing lab in Brighton). In 2013, a total of 17 shipments containing 3,377 leaves were made through May. All trees were then cut and boles were provided to the Brighton lab. Prior to replanting, efforts to ensure a more pest-free environment in the greenhouse were implemented. In December 2013, shipments resumed. Currently, 172 Fraxinus uhdei are being maintained in the PDA greenhouses and regular shipments of leaves are going out as directed by the Brighton rearing lab.

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Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (Caps) Exotic Wood Boring Beetle Survey (Ewbb): This survey combined visual survey with trapping at sites across PA in 2013. The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey is a federally funded survey that targets pests of specific national concern to agriculture. Though the EWBB survey targets species of national concern it also adds species of state concern. Due the extreme economic impact caused when non-native wood destroying insects are introduced to PA, PDA runs some form of this survey each year. Surveys are carried out in accordance with national survey guidelines. Pests of state concern can be survey in a more flexable manner. In 2013, insects affecting oak, sassafras, conifer and other Northeastern hardwoods were selected as target species. This included pests like oak splendor beetle, Asian longhorned beetle, oak ambrosia beetle, spruce engraver, Sirex noctilio, bamboo borer, walnut twig beetle and many other pests not known to occur in PA or have a limited distribution. Information from the interception of pests at ports provided by the US Customs and Border Patrol, European pest alerts, and NAPIS is used to help refine the list of target pests for PA. Protocols for the surveillance of many of these pests require visual surveillance, while others call for pheromone or plant volatile baited traps. For pests that are trapped, 12 sites were established at sites deemed high-risk for exotic pest introduction with 98 variously baited traps. Risk is determined by pathway analysis and cooperation with USDA-APHIS. Traps are run from April through the end of September. Each trap is serviced every two weeks, which generated a total of 1,197 samples and 29,770 specimens. Fortunately no targets of national concern were detected in 2013. Detections of note included 23 Anisandrus maiche, a hardwood ambrosia beetle new to the country in 2006, 7 Scolytus schevyrewi (banded elm bark beetle), 1 Oxoplatypus quadridentus and 1 Euplatypus compositus. The two

Patypodinae we believed to be SITE WITH TRAPS SITE WITH VISUAL SURVEILLANCE new to PA in 2012, were both captured for a second consecutive trapping season in 2013. This survey also recorded a record of , also known as the Camphor Shot Borer, which is a new pest to PA in 2013, and has been a target pest in the warehouse light trap survey for the past two seasons. Visual survey points were taken at all sites and several additional locations, totaling 749 visual survey records for pests that are visual survey only. All visual surveys were negative for target pests. This survey will be implemented again 2014 targeting different pests and new high-risk locations.

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Walnut Twig Beetle (TCD): In August of 2011, Penn State Cooperative Extension in Bucks County obtained a sample of dying black walnut. The cause of the dying walnut was confirmed as Thousand Cankers Disease, a disease complex caused by a twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis, and the fungus it vectors. Trees at the initial detection site were voluntarily removed and destroyed by the property owner in February of 2012 and PA started a state-wide trap survey for the beetle. PA received Farm Bill support to run a 100 trap survey for the beetles starting in July of 2012 and again in 2013. Over the two split trapping seasons, PA deployed 200 traps in 46 counties. In addition, visual reports from the general public were investigated by seasonal survey crews. A total of 1,273 samples were generated from traps in 2013 which contained 32,612 specimens. A total of 22,030 were Scolytinae, of which 345 belonged to the Genus Pityopthtorus. Fifty- four were identified as a similar species, Pityophthorus lautus, which also makes use of Black Walnut. No specimens of Pityophthorus juglandis were trapped in 2013 by this survey. Traps run by US Forest Service researchers inside Bucks County continue to trap Pityophthorus juglandis. Data from US Forest Service traps have demonstrated two adult peaks in PA, one in the mid-summer, and a second in the fall. No populations have been detected by traps or visual survey outside of Bucks County.

A number of notable detections were made as a result of WTB trapping. alni (European Elm Flea Weevil) was detected for the first time in a trap from Philadelphia County. A trap in Fulton County captured a specimen of Xyleborinus gracilis, a bark beetle native to the Southern US, which is a new record for the state. A trap from Montgomery County detected Cnestus mutilatus (Camphor Shot Borer) for the first time in PA. Traps in Montgomery and Lehigh Counties also collected the bostrichid beetle, japonicus, which was discovered as new to the state earlier in 2013. Trapping is scheduled to continue in 2014.

Apiary Inspection Program: The value of the apiary industry in Pennsylvania in 2013 was estimated at over $76 million. Much of this value is attributed to increased yield in crops partially or completely dependent on honey bees for pollination. In 2007, it was estimated that each honey bee colony provided

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$1,659.21 to Pennsylvania’s economy. Since the onset of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in 2006, more people worldwide have become interested in becoming beekeepers and helping native pollinators. In Pennsylvania, over 2,500 new beekeepers have registered since 2007, including over 390 new beekeepers registering in 2013. Currently there are approximately 3,300 registered beekeepers in PA. The majority of these beekeepers care for 1-10 hives. As seen on the map, managed honey bee colonies can be found almost everywhere in the Commonwealth from roof tops in urban areas to towns, suburbs, farms, and undeveloped land. From the end of April until the end of October, there were seven full time seasonal Apiary Inspectors working across Pennsylvania as well as the State Apiarist located in Harrisburg. Over 7,700 colonies located in more than 1,710 apiaries (bee yards) were inspected. Approximately 30% of (about 1,090) beekeepers registered in PA had their honey bee colonies inspected.

APIARIES REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA

Honey Bee Diseases And Pests: Fifteen cases of American Foulbrood (AFB), a highly contagious disease affecting honey bees, were detected in PA in 2013. The PA Department of Agriculture continues to focus on detection and treatment of AFB. All suspect cases of AFB were submitted to Harrisburg and then sent on to the USDA, Beltsville, Maryland for laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis and to screen for Oxytetracycline HCL resistance. Ten of the AFB strains were susceptible, and therefore treatable with the antibiotic Oxytetracycline HCL, four were resistant to Oxytetracycline HCL, and one strain was inconclusive. Resistant strains of AFB may be treated with different antibiotics or irradiated. Varroa mites continue to be found throughout Pennsylvania. These insect pests of the honey bee are a serious concern to beekeepers because they vector viruses and can weaken a colony enough to cause the bees to abscond or die. Small hive beetles continue to spread throughout Pennsylvania.

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2013 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES WITH AMERICAN FOUL BROOD

Permits Issued: The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) issued 43 Certificates of Inspection to process export permits for beekeepers requesting permission to allow honey bees and/or used equipment to leave PA (26 were issued in 2013). There were 12 Import Permits issued to allow honey bees and/or used equipment to enter PA from other states (24 were issued in 2012). Fifty three queen producer/nuc-selling beekeepers were issued permits to sell queens and nucleus colonies in Pennsylvania in 2013 (12 were issued in 2012).

National Honey Bee Survey: This was the fourth year that Pennsylvania was able to participate in the USDA/APHIS National Honey Bee Disease Survey (NHBS). The objective of this survey is to determine the diseases, pests, and parasites present, or absent, in various operations throughout the United States, including a cross-section of operation types. The diseases, pests, and parasites include: American Foulbrood, European Foulbrood, Sacbrood, Chalkbrood, Parasitic Mite Syndrome, Deformed Wing Virus, Black Shiny Bees, Small Hive Beetles, Wax Moths, Varroa mites, Nosema spores, and Tropilaelaps mites. The survey also records the status of the queen. Live bee samples are sent for virus testing. In addition, 10 pollen samples will be collected for pesticide testing. As of December 2013, 19 of the 24 apiaries have been sampled. The remaining five will be completed in the spring of 2014.

Khapra Beetle Survey: Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is one of the most destructive invasive pests of grain and is often intercepted in imported grain products. In the past several years multiple interceptions of the pest in products like rice have been made all over the United States including an airport interception in Pittsburgh in 2013. PDA was awarded Farm Bill money to survey for this pest starting in July of 2013.

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PDA established 18 sites in 18 counties at grain facilities where Agronomic Product Inspectors deployed three traps each. Traps were serviced every two week and generated 261 samples in 2013. All trap samples were negative for Trogoderma granarium. The survey is scheduled to resume in the spring of 2014.

Imported Fire Ant Survey: The USDA-APHIS PPQ office in Carlisle conducted a survey for exotic fire ants, primarily Solenopsis invicta, and PDA processed the samples for this survey. The USDA established 33 sites in 15 counties at high-risk sites. The survey generated 30 samples, which contained no Solenopsis invicta. A native ant Solenopsis molesta was trapped at two separate sites. False reports of fire ant detections were reported by media in the Philadelphia area in 2013, which were diagnosed from human health symptoms. PDA worked with the City of Philadelphia Vector Control to investigate these reports and found the reports to be mis-identifications of native stinging ants and other symptoms not related to insects

Plant Diagnostic Sample Reports (PDSR): In support of the PDA Plant Merchant Program, the Entomology Lab processes plant inspector collected samples from routine plant merchant inspections where a pest of regulatory concern is suspected. A total of 184 samples were submitted in 2013. The most commonly submitted pest was Nuculaspis pseudomeyeri, (False Meyer Scale), all from Southeastern PA. One detection of note was the discovery of stultana (Omnivorous leafroller) which was found causing significant damage to in a commercial greenhouse. Platynota stultana is not known from PA, but is native to the Southwestern US. It is a known pest of many crops and plants, and has been recorded as causing significant losses in yield in the grape industry. The detection was made in December of 2013, and PDA is working with PSU to develop outreach and to work with the greenhouse industry. At this time it is not known if the pest can overwinter in PA outside of a greenhouse setting, and controls implemented at the greenhouse seem to be controlling the outbreak. PDA will add traps for this pest to its grape pest survey in 2014, and target inspections in greenhouses for the destructive moth.

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GENERAL SURVEY SAMPLES AND OTHER DETECTIONS OF NOTE: In addition to mandated and funded surveys, the PDA Entomology program also receives samples from cooperative extension, private industry, and the general public. Entomology records these samples as GENERAL SURVEY samples. The majority of these types of samples result from Commercial Pest Control submissions and Cooperative Extension. In 2013, PDA recorded 279 samples totaling 3,276 specimens. Highlights include:

o Detection of , a bostrichid new to PA sp. in drying bamboo, from Cumberland County.

o A pair of African wooden figurines was submitted to PDA with exit holes, and complaints of emerging beetles. The beetles were identified as the non-native africanus. The statues were frozen and disposed of.

o In 2011 a sample of weevils thought to be Larinus planus was submitted to PDA for confirmation. In late July of 2012, a volunteer inquired about a recent post of a photo on Bugguide.net indicating that Larinus turbinatus had been photographed in Lancaster County, PA. The original samples submitted in 2011, and additional samples obtained in 2012 from Adams and Lebanon Counties proved to be Larinus turbinatus, (New to the Country) and not Larinus planus. The distinction is significant as both weevils feed on thistle and the new weevil, L. turbinatus was found damaging restoration plots for the federally endangered butterfly, regal fritillary. PDA was asked by the New Pest Advisory Group to see if the weevil had established and to determine the extent of its distribution in PA. In 2013, Larinus turbinatus was detected in roadside thistles in 17 counties.

o A pest control worker reported finding ALB at an account in Lehigh County and submitted the sample to PDA. PDA determined the specimen to be Psacothea hilaris, or yellow spotted long horn beetle, and not ALB. This was confirmed by the USDA and further investigation of the site revealed a number of infested pallets originating from China at the location which included live larvae of the genus Monochamus. Both pests are actionable, and with cooperation from the property owner, the USDA-APHIS-PPQ, and Philadelphia Customs and Border Patrol, the infested pallets were changed out and burned. A small delimiting survey was set up around the site and no additional detections resulted. The location was trapped again in 2013 as part of the

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CAPS survey and had additional traps baited with an experimental Psacothea pheramone blend. No additional detections resulted.

o The state entomologist purchased an artichoke originating in California from a major grocery store chain. The artichoke was not eaten for dinner as it contained a live specimen of Platyptilia carduidactya (Artichoke Plume Moth). The infestation was inadvertently controlled by boiling the artichoke.

o Three non-native spiders belonging to the group known as “Widow Spiders” were found in PA this year. The first, was Latrodectus haseltii (An Austrailian red-backed spider) was submitted by an automotive company found live in engine parts. The spider and egg sac were killed, and the company took the precaution of fumigating the facility. A Schuylkill County man turned in several specimens of Latrodectus geometricus (Brown Widow Spider) which is know from the Southeastern US. The spiders were collected from multiple webs outside the man’s home. He linked the infestation to household material moved to an adjacent structure from Florida where the spider is known to infest items like lawn furniture. A well-publicized detection of Latrodectus hesperus (The Western Black Widow) made international news. Grapes from a major supermarket chain were found to have these spiders. The store has made efforts to work with its supplier to reduce these types of incidents.

o Researchers at SUNY in New York identified two new county records (Clarion and Indiana)for the European Woodwasp, Sirex noctilio. Sirex noctilio is now known from 14 PA counties.

o PSU extension submitted a state record for Liliocerus lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle) from Asiatic lilies in Clinton County PA. The owner of the lilies treated the plants and no additional samples have been submitted. PDA inspectors will target inspections for this pest in 2014. o A man submitted a wooden basket which originates in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan that showed signs of beetle infestation. Closer inspection revealed that the basket was completely hollowed out by the cosmopolitan species (Powder Post Beetle). The owner consented to have the artifact destroyed.

o Submissions from DCNR State Park and Forestry personnel contained official new county records of Adelges tsugae (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid) in four new counties in 2013. Detections were made in Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, Clarion, and McKean Counties.

Invasive Species Hotline And E-Mail Report System: In 2013, the invasive species hotline and badbug e-mail account generated 140 contacts to report possible invasive insects. The majorities of contacts called to report or ask about EAB. Of the 140 contacts, 122 were to the toll-free automated invasive species line and 18 were to the badbug e-mail. Incidents of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug contacts were minimal.

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Plant Industries Division West Virginia Department of Agriculture 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25305 304-558-2212

West Virginia Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Division Report to the Eastern Plant Board Princeton, New Jersey - April 2014

FY 2013 Activities

Plant Industries Division is made up of two units, the Agricultural Pest Survey Programs Unit and the Forest Health Protection Programs Unit. During FY 2012, 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).

Geographic Information System (GIS) Support

The Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist supports all Plant Industries Division programs.

 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 data management support, as well as map prooduction and GIS analysis for FHP and CAPS surveys, reports and presentations.  Acquired new Trimble Juno GPS units for all field surveys and designed dynamic digital data forms to standardize data and to eliminate GPS data collection errors in the field.  Provided spatial data management and maps for NPDES permit process.

Agricultural Pest Survey (APS) Programs

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program

The CAPS program conducts surveys for insects, plant pathogens and injurious weeds in field crops to detect any new non-native plant pests and to monitor the impact of native agricultural pests. The program functions in a cooperative agreement with USDA-APHIS-PPQ on specific pest-control issues, supports export certification programs, and contributes data to the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS) and Integrated Plant Health Information System (IPHIS) computer databases.

 Released 2,000 Mile-a-Minute, Rhinoncomimus latipes, weevils in 5 sites in Kanawha and Upshur Counties for biological control of mile-a-minute weed.  Released 198 yellow toadflax, Mecinus janthinus, weevils at a location in Mineral Countyy for biological control of yellow toadflax.  Visually surveyed 129 nurseries for Asian longhorn beetle, viburnum leaf beetle, emerald ash borer, British yellowhead, and Japanese cedar longhorn beetle and traps were set at 20 nurseries for false codling moth, summer fruit tortrix and Egyptian cotton leafworm as part of a Bundled Nursery Survey. No positives were discovered.

West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.

 Traps were set for Dendrolimus pini (pine tree lappet), Dendrolimus sibiricus (Siberian silk moth), Hylobius abietis (large pine weevil), Lymantria mathura (rosy moth), Panolis flammea (pine beauty moth), and Tomicus destruens (pine shoot beetle) and visual surveys were conducted for Cronartium flaccidum (Scots pine blister rust) at 50 sites in 31 counties as part of a Pine Commodity Survey. No positives were discovered.  Traps were set at 42 sites in 20 counties for Archips xylosteanus (variegated golden tortrix), Adoxophyes orana (summer fruit tortrix), Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila), Synanthedon myopaeformis (apple clearwing moth), Spodoptera litura (cotton leafworm), and (cherry bark tortrix) and visual surveys were conducted for Candidatus Phytoplasma as part of an Apple Commodity Survey. No positives were discovered.  Surveyed 30 nurseries for Sudden Oak Death, Phytophthora ramorum, collecting 320 foliar samples, 2 soil samples and 6 water samples for PCR analysis. All samples were negative.  28 purple sticky traps were placed in campgrounds across the state to survey for emerald ash borer. New county records for 2013 include Boone, Doddridge, Jefferson and Monongalia Counties.  Staff contacted wheat growers in Mason, Berkeley, Jefferson, Preston and Wood Counties to participate in the karnal bunt survey. Survey results were negative.  Traps were set for Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) at 19 sites in 17 counties. No ALB was detected.  Provided health certificates for interstate movement of West Virginia seed potatoes.  Traps were set at 11 sites in 6 counties for Adoxophyes orana (summer fruit tortrix), Epiphyas postvittana (light brown apple moth), Enarmonia formosana (cherry bark tortrix), Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth) as part of a Stone Fruit Commodity Survey. No positives were discovered.  Surveyed for plum pox virus (PPV) in Berkeley, Hampshire and Jefferson counties following National Plum Pox Survey Guidelines as part of the Stone Fruit Commodity Survey. A total of 1,200 samples were collected. All samples were negative.  Traps were set at 20 sites in 15 counties for Adoxophyes orana (summer fruit tortrix), Autographa gamma (silver Y moth), Epiphyas postvittana (light brown apple moth), Eupoecilia ambiguella (European grape berry moth), Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth) as part of a Grape Commodity Survey. No positives were discovered.  Staff presented invasive forest pest information on 29 occasions in 18 counties as part of a Forest Pest Outreach Project.  Staff distributed forest pest information and “Don’t Move Firewood” reusable shopping bags with WVDA contact information to 107 campgrounds in 33 counties as part of a Camper Education, Outreach and Data Capture Survey. Camper zip code data was also collected in order to assess future exotic pest survey sites.

Plant Pest Regulatory Program (PPRP)

The PPRP works to prevent the movement of plant pathogens on nursery stock produced in West Virginia and nursery products imported into the state. The program includes registration and annual inspection of nurseries and nursery dealers, and the enforcement of state plant quarantines and orders. The Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Regulatory Program is also operated by the PPRP through a cooperative agreement with USDA-APHIS-PPQ. In addition, the PPRP certifies domestic and international shipments of plants and timber products.

 Registered 101 nurseries and 373 nursery dealerships and conducted 129 nursery inspections and 48 nursery dealership inspections, resulting in the stop-sale of 2 pieces of nursery stock because of injurious plant pests.  Conducted inspections and issued 1,691 USDA-APHIS-PPQ phytosanitary certificates for international log and lumber shipments.  Issued 19 phytosanitary certificates for interstate plant shipments.  Visited 42 sites to investigate the movement of articles capable of transporting the gypsy moth into uninfested areas.  Conducted six inspections at vehicle weigh stations along interstate highways to enforce state and federal gypsy moth quarantines.  Enforced the WV White Pine Blister Rust Quarantine, WV Barberry and Black Stem Rust Quarantine, WV Gypsy Moth Quarantine and WV Non-native Plant-Feeding Snail Quarantine.  Added 5 counties to the WV Gypsy Moth Quarantine: McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming.

Black Fly Control Program

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.

 Supervised 17 aerial black fly treatments.  Conducted 123 aquatic invertebrate monitoring trips.

Pest Identification Laboratory (PIL)

The 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. The PIL also disseminates information on the pests identified and investigates problems considered significant from a biological, regulatory or impact standpoint. PIL personnel maintain permanent reference collections and record systems of insects, plant diseases and weeds. Pest control recommendations are provided for private individuals, businesses and other government agencies when needed.

 Identified suspect exotic buprestid beetles from 24 trap samples and confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in 4 new counties.  Screened 42 trap samples for the presence of three exotic moth species for the Bundled Nursery Cooperative Survey. Survey results were negative.  Screened 406 trap samples for the presence of five exotic moth species and the exotic spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, for the Apple Commodity Survey. None of the targeted species were found.  Screened 28 trap samples for the presence of six exotic moth species for the Grape Commodity Survey. All samples were negative.  Screened 11 trap samples for the presence of five exotic moth species for the Stone Fruit Commodity Survey. None of the targeted moths were found.  Screened 114 trap samples from the Pine Commodity Survey for the presence of an exotic root weevil, Hylobius abietis and the Pine Shoot Beetle, Tomicus destruens. None of the targeted species were found.  Conducted a collection/ release of the purple loosestrife bio-control agent Galerucella sp. leaf beetle from an already established bio-control site to new bio-control sites.  Entered approximately 400 identified specimens into the Insect Museum’s computerized database, making a total of 130,576 identified specimen records and added approximately 1600 undetermined prepared specimens.  Provided Insect Museum specimen loans and/or data base information requests for the University of New Hampshire, US Forest Service, Charleston Health Department, and the Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA,  Identified insect specimens of the family Tingidae, upon request by Kansas University Biodiversity Research Center, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Civic Museum of Natural History, Morbegno, Italy, Thailand Department of Agriculture, and BugGuide.net.  Provided information requests and manuscript revisions of the family Tingidae for the Oregon State Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.  Handled 888 pest calls, 304 pest specimens, and 78 literature requests. All pest specimen information was entered into the Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network database.  Provided 14 youth educational programs, 19 adult educational programs, and two media interviews on various and/or pest-related topics.

Forest Health Protection Programs (FHP)

Forest Insect and Disease Survey and Detection Programs

Insects

 Conducted hemlock woolly adelgid surveys detecting HWA in four new counties: Putnam, Mason, Jackson and Ritchie Counties.

 Treated 5885 hemlock trees for HWA. (Mon National Forest, 141; Private lands, 672; non-federal public lands, 5072) This is 250% of last year’s numbers and includes trees that were part of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Cooperative Pilot Project, as well as trees on both federal and non-federal public lands.  Released 1437 Laricobius nigrinus, HWA biological control agent, at Blackwater Falls State Park. The plan is to continue augmenting this population for purposes of establishing a field insectary at the site. This can then become a source population from which to eventually release Laricobius nigrinus at other locations.  Treated 133 ash trees for EAB at multiple state parks.

Diseases

 Collected beech scion from beech that showed putative resistance to beech scale from the scale challenges that were conducted in 2011 and analyzed in 2012. The scion collected was given to Jennifer Koch, Research Geneticist with the USFS, Delaware, OH for further resistance testing.  Continued to monitor 4 1/10 acres plots at 4 sites for a long-term white pine monitoring project. The objective is to see how the volume of white pine is changing over time due to the presence of Caliciopsis canker/Matsucoccus scale. This work is in collaboration between the Virginia Division of Forestry, University of Georgia and the US Forest Service (Athens, GA).  Conducted trapping for the walnut twig beetle (vector of Thousand Cankers Disease) to determine if the beetle is present in the state. Traps were set in high risk areas such as wood products locations, parks and campgrounds. A total of 41 traps were set and were monitored for 4 weeks in the spring and for 3 weeks in the fall. All samples were processed and screened by the forest pathologist, forest entomologist and Plant Industries Division Specialist. To date, all samples are negative for WTB.  Established 9 beech monitoring sites containing a minimum number of 20 beech trees in a stand to monitor the expansion of the known range of beech bark disease. Also, to evaluate over time the quantity of putatively resistant beech and the possible dynamic nature of BBD within these discrete areas and to identify putatively scale resistant American beech.  Processed numerous samples submitted by WVDA personnel for the Phytophthora ramorum Nursery Survey and the Stone Fruit Commodity Survey. Also processed various samples submitted by forest health specialists and the public using various diagnostic tools such as: PCR, ELISA, culturing, and microscopy.  Received certification through USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST to perform USDA-APHIS-PPQ validated diagnostic tests for Phytophthora ramorum and Plum Pox Virus.

Gypsy Moth Program

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) Gypsy Moth Program is, by far, the largest single Forest Health Protection (FHP) program under the WVDA. It is divided into two parts; the Gypsy Moth Cooperative Suppression (GMCS) and Slow the Spread (STS) Programs, both of which are carried out in cooperation with the USDA-FS. Under the GMCS Program umbrella with the USDA-FS, the WVDA conducts the Cooperative State- County-Landowner (CSCL) Program in the generally infested area of the state. The STS Program operates in the transition zone between the leading edge of the main infestation and the un-infested zone where adult males are only occasionally found.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has two objectives in its Gypsy Moth Program; first, to retard the spread of the pest into non-infested areas of the state through the Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread (STS) Program and, second, to suppress gypsy moth populations in infested areas to limit, as much as possible, defoliation and tree mortality through the WVDA Gypsy Moth Cooperative State County Landowner (CSCL) Program. The WVDA Gypsy Moth Program minimizes the adverse impact on West Virginia’s forest resources; we preserve aesthetic values, and protect people from the annoyance and health problems that can occur when in contact with large numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars.

GMCS Accomplishments:

 Aerially surveyed approximately 3.5 million acres of state and private lands for gypsy moth defoliation.  Ground surveyed 337,211 acres of private and state lands in West Virginia signed up by landowners and managers.  Completed 3,482 1/40 acre plot gypsy moth egg mass density surveys and the egg mass viability study.  Visited 5,441 landowners to survey for gypsy moth presence.  The FHP PID Assistant Director chaired the National Gypsy Moth Management Board and assisted with National Aerial Application Safety Council training.

 Set up and manned multiple gypsy moth displays at local county fairs and published multiple gypsy moth articles.  Presented numerous gypsy moth invasive species presentations at schools, clubs, and campgrounds.

STS Accomplishments:

 Trapped 57,062 male gypsy moths in 2013, compared to 46,459 male moths in 2012.  Set 2,762 gypsy moth traps.  No Treatments were proposed for 2013  Set up and manned displays at two of the largest outdoor shows in the State the WV Hunting and Fishing Show and the WV Sport Show.  WVDA staff collected and sent off 84 gypsy moth traps in cooperation with a USDA-Forest Service gypsy moth genetic study.