| Section three: IPPM section continued |
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| Grasshopper and mormon cricket survey |
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The 2006 Oregon grasshopper survey season, conducted by ODA in cooperation with USDA APHIS PPQ, started on May 15 and ended on September 15. Adult survey data recorded economic levels of more than eight grasshoppers per square yard on a total of 97,399 acres in 14 counties of eastern Oregon. In 2006, a total of 1,368 sites were visited of which 750 were nymphal and 618 adult survey sites including 236 sentinel sites.
Map: Economic infestations of grasshoppers in Oregon1953-2006
The counties with the highest infestation levels were Wallowa with 47,369 acres, Union with 16,126 acres, Umatilla with 7,861 acres, Wasco with 5,982 acres, Morrow with 5,560 acres, Malheur with 3,513 acres, Gilliam with 3,235 acres, and Baker with 2,455 acres. Areas with significant infestations of more than 5,000 acres were located around Ella, Morrow County (5,168 acres), Medical Springs (5,538 acres) and Telocaset, Union County (5,056 acres), Findley Buttes (11,105 acres), Hick Springs (6,684 acres), and Kinney Lake, Wallowa County (6,166 acres).
In 2006, for the first time in Oregon, grasshopper survey field data were recorded with the USDA software ISIS (Integrated Survey Information System) on smartphones equipped with GPS units and wirelessly transferred on the USDA-APHIS-PPQ ISIS server in Fort Collins.
Infestations in the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Klamath County, were relatively low compared with recent years. Many historic Camnula egg bed areas remained flooded until mid-July. Adult surveys at the end of August showed a total area of 353 acres mainly at the northwest and northeast part of the Refuge (Lane Ranch) and the Buck pasture infested with economic levels. In 2006 no treatment actions took place at the Klamath Marsh.
A grasshopper treatment program was conducted on private rangeland in the Fort Klamath area, Klamath County. In late May 2006, ODA and PPQ grasshopper surveyors delimited an area of 26,000 acres infested with nymphal outbreaks in this area. On June 21, private ranchers in collaboration with the Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust began aerial applications of Dimilin. Approximately 10,000 acres were treated using a 50 percent RAATs (reduced area/agent treatment). Post treatment counts showed a 99 percent control in the treated areas. Follow up adult surveys at the end of August recorded economic levels of Camnula pellucida and Melanoplus femurrubrum mainly in areas not treated or not included in the original treatment area.
In Vale, Malheur County, ODA provided technical assistance to a private rancher against a grasshopper outbreak on about 1,500 acres of rangeland. The landowner chose to aerially apply Malathion ULV.
The BLM office in Baker City reported grasshopper infestations in the Grand Ronde River Canyon near Troy, Wallowa County. In 2005, grasshoppers were reported to migrate from private rangeland above the canyon rim down to BLM land along the river causing serious damage to pine seedling plantations. However in the 2006 nymphal surveys, grasshoppers were found emerging in many areas close to the pine seedlings on BLM land. Control options such as Dimilin or Carbaryl bait are limited due to non-application buffers required near the Grand Ronde River. The 2006 adult survey recorded economic levels in some areas near Troy again, but the numbers were significantly lower than in 2005. Ultimately no control efforts were implemented.
The dominant species in infested counties were Camnula pellucida, Melanoplus femurrubrum, M. sanguinipes, M. packardii, Oedaleonotus enigma and Aulocara elliotti.
Mormon crickets, Anabrus simplex, were recorded in areas south of Arlington (2,502 acres), Gilliam County, for the second year in row, and also near Jordan Valley (3,504 acres), Malheur County.
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| Gypsy moth |
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ODA maintains a high-level detection program for gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, and its Asian strain (Asian gypsy moth). Sixty-six gypsy moths were detected in Oregon in 2006, at six new and three old sites. All moths were submitted to the USDA Otis Pest Survey, Detection and Exclusion Laboratory and, except for one moth, were determined by genetic analysis to be of the North American strain.
Asian gypsy moth was found in Oregon and California in 2006. The single Asian gypsy moth was caught in St. Helens along the Columbia River; the DNA analysis indicated that its origin was apparently either China or Korea. In addition, single gypsy moths were detected at three new sites in Portland (Multnomah County) in the Kenton Park and in the Holman St/Burrage Ave. areas in north Portland and at Council Crest Park in southwest Portland; in Damascus (Clackamas County); and in O’Brien (Josephine County). One gypsy moth was also caught in Eugene (Lane County) near where a single moth was caught in 2005. In addition, 57 gypsy moths were caught in Bend near where a single gypsy moth was caught in 2005. Two single moths were caught in Shady Cove near where two moths were caught in a single trap in 2005.
In 2006, 16,206 gypsy moth traps were placed statewide. No moths were found at the single 2005 eradication site in Eagle Creek (Clackamas County). Following two consecutive years of negative delimitation trapping, this site was declared eradicated. Gypsy moth pest alerts were distributed and information gathered from residents at the Bend and Shady Cove sites where multiple gypsy moths were found. Three sources of introduction are possible for this Asian gypsy moth: high-risk ships moving along the Columbia River and containers and/or cargo imported into St. Helens from China or Korea. An eradication program using three aerial applications of Btk to treat a 640-acre eradication area was proposed, as per previous AGM Science Panel recommendations. However, analysis of the data from this and the Bend site is ongoing. In Bend numerous egg masses and other life stages were found at a residential property on car parts of a 1967 Chevrolet purchased on ebay and shipped from Connecticut in January 2005 as well as on a nearby apple tree and under rocks and metal sheathing on a pole. Aerial applications of Btk by helicopter or airplane have been proposed for up to 537 acres. Egg mass searching conducted in the Shady Cove did not find any gypsy moth life stages. Mass trapping is planned in this area in 2007. No eradication programs at additional sites are planned for 2007. Delimitation trapping will be conducted in 2007 around all 2005 and 2006 positive sites.
Gypsy Moth Programs in Oregon, 1977-2006
Year
| No. Traps
| No. GMs
| Eradication Acres
| | 1977 | 100
| 0
| 0
| 1978
| 250
| 0
| 0
| 1979
| 300
| 2
| 0
| 1980
| 1,104
| 7
| 0
| 1981
| 3,000
| 1,023
| 20
| 1982
| 11,000
| 216
| 4,000
| 1983
| 17,000
| 299
| 50
| 1984
| 19,000
| 19,096 | 11,990
| 1985
| 32,000
| 1,628
| 225,000
| 1986
| 32,000
| 613
| 193,000
| 1987
| 32,391
| 80
| 11,771
| 1988
| 32,200
| 10
| 3,550
| 1989
| 22,250
| 2
| 4
| 1990
| 16,335
| 19
| 0
| 1991
| 15,445
| 29
| 4
| 1992
| 49,115
| 47
| 8,930
| 1993
| 44,522
| 78
| 328
| 1994
| 15,005
| 39
| 270
| 1995
| 14,384
| 21
| 86
| 1996
| 16,097
| 42
| 10
| 1997
| 17,368
| 30
| 70
| 1998
| 18,798
| 29
| 35
| 1999
| 18,384
| 13
| 19
| 2000
| 15,809
| 9
| 10
| 2001
| 16,914
| 8
| 1,070
| 2002
| 16,194
| 10
| 0
| 2003
| 16,837
| 28
| 706
| 2004
| 19,063
| 4
| 183
| 2005
| 18,367
| 9
| 268
| 2006
| 16,206
| 66
| 0
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| Hecatera dysodea |
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An exotic Eurasian noctuid moth, Hecatera dysodea (Denis & Schiffermuller), new to North America, was recently found in Oregon with The Dalles as a likely point of introduction. The larvae feed on the flowers and seeds of composites, primarily Lactuca (lettuce) and Sonchus (sow thistles), most species of which are also exotic to Oregon. Catches in lindgren funnel traps in The Dalles in 2005 and negative trapping using UV light traps in 2004 spurred a small survey in 2006 evaluating different trap types as possible detection tools.
Three trap types were used: ten universal bucket-type traps with floral lures (provided by Peter Landolt at USDA-ARS in Washington) were placed in agricultural areas of Wasco County south of The Dalles, in the vicinity of Dufur; 195 Lindgren funnel traps baited with ethanol were placed in The Dalles (where they were being used primarily for Xylosandrus crassiusculus delimitation); and seven traditional intersecting-panel light traps using fluorescent ultra-violet (UV) light were placed on nearly moonless nights in both areas of the county, near the sites with the other two trap types. Lactuca host plants were abundant at all sites. Thirty moths were caught in the traps: 15 with the floral lures, 11 with the ethanol lures, and four with the UV light. Although very preliminary, the data from 2005-2006 suggest that the floral and ethanol lures may be moderately attractive to H. dysodea. No H. dysodea were collected from light traps placed near the railroad tie plant in The Dalles in 2004 or 2005 and only a few were collected in 2006, supporting a published claim that this species may be only weakly attracted to ultraviolet light.
On August 2, 2006, near Dufur, H. dysodea larvae were found feeding on the flowers and seeds of the weed, Lactuca serriola, or prickly lettuce. They were collected and brought to Salem for rearing. This species is not known to be a pest of leaf lettuce but may pose a risk to lettuce grown for seed.
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| Imported fire ant and other exotic ants |
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The risk of introduction of exotic ants into Oregon is high because of the widespread distribution of many exotic ants and the many pathways by which they can be introduced. Recent interceptions and detections of red imported fire ant, Argentine ant, crazy ant (Paratrechina sp.), and ghost ant (Tapinoma melanocephalum), underscore Oregon’s vulnerability. Furthermore, Oregon’s varied climatic zones and habitats provide excellent potential for establishment of all but the most tropical ant species.
A survey for exotic ants, focusing upon (IFA), was conducted in northwestern Oregon at five high-risk sites. Locations sampled included Amerities in The Dalles (which, until recently, imported large quantities of raw railroad ties from the southeastern USA), the Oregon Zoo (which has a long history of importing exotic plants and materials for exhibits and has had several exotic ant infestations anecdotally reported), a commercial container yard and transfer station in Portland, and the bee yards of two commercial beekeepers who ship hives annually to and from California (bee hives transiting from IFA-infested states are known to be the source of at least one of the California infestations).
Four to 13 sampling transects, each consisting of 20 baits, were performed at each site, based upon site size and available habitat. A bait consisted of a MedFly basket containing both Spam® and large pieces of potato chip, often, but not always, drizzled with honey. Baits were placed at approximately 10 foot intervals for 30 minutes. Baits were then picked up with forceps and rapidly rinsed in alcohol to remove any ants. All baits for a particular transect were rinsed in the same sample cup to yield a combined sample.
A total of 3,282 ants were collected. No IFA were found at any of the sites surveyed in 2006, although a native ant in the same genus, the thief ant, Solenopsis molesta, was found in one sample from The Dalles. Only the Oregon Zoo yielded new records for exotic ants in Oregon: one transect within the aviary had 20 Argentine ants and two transects at the south end of the exhibits had a total of 214 ghost ants. Zoo staff have been apprised as to the infestations and recommendations have been made by IPPM regarding possible eradication methods.
A home infested with ghost ant in Portland in 2005 was surveyed in 2006 by an IPPM staff member to determine whether eradication of this exotic nuisance pest had been successful. No ghost ants were found.
A resident of Wilsonville reported to IPPM that she may have brought back an infestation of Argentine ant in her trailer following a stay at a California campground heavily infested with this pest. An IPPM staff member visited the residence and found many dead Argentine ants in the trailer, killed by eradication efforts of the owner. Subsequent survey of the trailer and the surrounding area revealed no Argentine ants.
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| Japanese beetle |
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Detection and eradication of new Japanese beetle (JB) introductions and prevention of new arrivals on aircraft and nursery stock from infested states remain a high priority. ODA has trapped 240 JBs and has conducted three successful JB eradication programs, all in residential areas, since 1988.
Eradication treatments continued at Portland International Airport’s (PDX) Airtrans Center due to trap catches in previous years. Treatment plans and outreach processes were developed in collaboration with the Oregon Health Services, Oregon State University National Pesticide Information Center, and technical experts at the Japanese Beetle Lab (Dr. Michael Klein) and elsewhere. Treatment products and protocols were similar to previous JB eradication programs.
Based on the detection of four JBs in and near PDX in 2005, eradicative actions involving foliar treatment with Tempo® SC Ultra for adult control and soil treatments with Merit® were planned and implemented within a 49-acre eradication area on south Airtrans Way at PDX (associated with several air cargo carriers) beginning in June 2006. Following two JB catches in July to the north of the treatment area, an additional 36 acres were added. An additional 108 acres on the adjacent Air National Guard Base (ANGB) were added following a single trap catch there in July. Two additional trap catches, one inside and one outside the spray boundary were found in mid-August at the ANGB. Two additional single trap catches, one on the western border of PDX and one just outside the eastern border of PDX were found in August but not included as part of any treatment program. In late August, 28 JBs were captured in a single JB trap at a FedEx trucking facility on Swan Island in Portland. Delimitation traps were immediately placed in the area. A foliar treatment (Tempo® SC Ultra) to a small bio-swale area in the immediate vicinity of the positive trap in late August and a soil application of Arena® 50 WDG to 56 acres in mid-September 2006 were applied to this new site.
Due to the risk of beetles hitchhiking on aircraft, USDA monitors JB populations at eastern airports each year. As soon as population levels pose a risk of live beetles entering aircraft, the airport or carrier is declared regulated. In 2006 six airports or air carriers in four states were regulated by PPQ for JB. ODA conducted 49 inspections and found a total of 68 JBs (one alive, 38 dead, 29 moribund). Continued cooperation, monitoring, information sharing, and commitment among state and federal regulators, industry representatives and private consultants are critical to preventing the introduction and establishment of JB in Oregon.
In 2006 5,408 JB traps were placed, mostly in western Oregon. However, all cities and towns statewide are considered at risk and were trapped at two traps/mi2. A total of 38 Japanese beetles were caught: seven in the PDX area; 28 at Swan Island, and single catches in Troutdale, northwest Portland (both Multnomah County) and Silverton (Marion County).
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| Nun moth |
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Nun moth (NM), Lymantria monacha, is native to Europe and Asia. The nun moth poses one of the most serious exotic pest threats to western and northern US forests of spruce, pine and Douglas fir. In 2006, 827 delta traps with PheroTech NM lure were placed in host trees within five miles of the ports and waterways receiving ships at high risk for Asian gypsy moth. This includes the ports of Coos Bay and Portland and along the Columbia River waterway from Astoria to Portland. Traps were placed by the end of June in Coos County, by early to late July along the Columbia River and Portland area and picked up in September in Clackamas (12), Clatsop (50), Columbia (51), Coos (96), Multnomah, (566) and Washington (52) counties. As in 2001 and 2003, no nun moths were detected in the traps.
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| Oriental beetle |
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The Oriental beetle (OB), Exomala orientalis, is an introduced pest of turfgrass, nursery stock, ornamentals, small fruits and other crops. The pathways by which OB could be introduced into Oregon are similar to those for Japanese beetle (JB). Since the flight periods for JB and OB overlap and lures for both species do not interact, it is possible to survey for both species simultaneously using a single JB trap resulting in considerable cost savings. Traps using the JB dual lure conveniently allow placement of a second rubber septa containing OB pheromone.
In 2006, OB lures were “piggybacked” with JB lures in 5,000 JB traps statewide. No OBs were found.
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| Potato tuberworm |
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In 2006, ODA placed about 35 traps for potato tuberworm (PTW), Phthorimaea operculella, in eight counties in Western Oregon in August to October. Three moths were caught in Marion County, two from an organic farm near St. Paul and one from a potato field near Woodburn. These were the first county records for Marion. In a phenology study, six traps placed on Sauvie Island, Multnomah County during April to November did not yield any moths. PTW populations crashed statewide. OSU’s trapping program focused on Klamath Basin, central Oregon and Columbia Basin areas also yielded no moths or much reduced moth numbers.
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| Rosy gypsy moth |
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Rosy gypsy moth (RGM), Lymantria mathura, occurs naturally from Japan to China and west to India and Pakistan. This species is a serious potential threat to the Pacific Northwest and, if established in Oregon, would threaten forest ecosystems, the sustainability of forest industries, and the nursery trade. Additionally, there is some evidence from the Far East that suggests that L. mathura can enhance L. dispar outbreaks.
In 2006, 804 clam shell traps were placed in host trees within five miles of the ports and waterways receiving ships at high risk for Asian gypsy moth. This includes the ports of Coos Bay and Portland and along the Columbia River waterway from Astoria to Portland. Traps with RGM lure provided by USDA Otis Pest Survey, Detection and Exclusion Laboratory were placed by the end of June in Coos County, by early to late July along the Columbia River and Portland area and picked up in September in Clackamas (12), Clatsop (50), Columbia (51), Coos (96), Multnomah, (544) and Washington (51) counties. No rosy gypsy moths were detected in the traps.
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| Siberian moth |
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Siberian moth (SM), Dendrolimus superans sibericus, is the most destructive defoliator of conifer forests in Northern Asia. Like the nun moth, risk ratings for Siberian moth establishment, and economic and environmental impact potential in the US are high. In 2006, 787 milk carton traps were placed in host trees within five miles of the ports and waterways receiving ships at high risk for Asian gypsy moth. This includes the ports of Coos Bay and Portland and along the Columbia River waterway from Astoria to Portland. Traps with SM lure provided by USDA Otis Pest Survey, Detection and Exclusion Laboratory were placed by late July and picked up in September and early October in Clackamas (13), Clatsop (50), Columbia (51), Coos (88), Multnomah, (535) and Washington (50) counties. Newly designed funnels from the USDA Otis lab were added to the milk carton traps in late July in Coos but not the other counties with SM traps. No Siberian moths were detected in the traps.
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| Summer fruit tortrix |
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The summer fruit tortrix (SFT), Adoxophyes orana, is a major pest of apples and pears in most parts of Europe, parts of the former Soviet Union, and eastern Asia. In 2006, approximately 339 diamond traps were placed in 11 counties having suitable sites and hosts. Lures were changed once if the traps were set before June 1. No SFT were detected in Oregon in 2006.
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| Miscellaneous insect identification and new records |
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In 2006, IPPM taxonomists identified over 2,018 insects and other invertebrates from samples or contacts via telephone, e-mail, or walk-ins. In general, these did not originate from specific IPPM programs but instead were from ODA horticultural and commodity inspection programs, other government agencies, university and museum collections, commercial sources, the general public, and professional colleagues. Richard Westcott, IPPM’s emeritus taxonomist, is also a collaborating scientist for the Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA. In this capacity, he made 125 identifications of samples of flatheaded wood boring beetles (Buprestidae), most of which were intercepted at US ports of entry.
In 2005, a staff vacancy at Oregon State University (OSU) led to an interim agreement by which IPPM taxonomists provided identifications and relevant information for insect and invertebrate samples submitted to OSU’s Insect Identification Clinic. This arrangement continued until October of 2006, after which the vacancy was filled. IPPM staff identified or otherwise addressed 225 samples from January 1, 2006 through the end of September, 2006.
A paper submitted by two IPPM taxonomists, in collaboration with two taxonomists from other states, formally documenting 219 species of beetles from Oregon for the first time was published in 2006 (see Westcott et al. 2006 in “Publications”).
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