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News
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Insect trapping season gets underway in Oregon
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5/18/2011
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Article Content ODA to place traps for gypsy moth & other invasive insects
A cool spring has slowed the life cycle of gypsy moths and other invasive insects in Oregon, but detection efforts for these plant-eating pests are about to heat up. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will begin to place up to 13,000 brightly colored gypsy moth traps in trees and shrubs around the state and will check those traps over the summer months. In addition, ODA is on the lookout for a variety of unwanted insects ranging from Japanese beetle and a variety of exotic fruit moths to Asian longhorned beetle and brown marmorated stink bug.
"We are a little late in getting the traps out, but I think we are okay because the cold spring has delayed the phenology of a lot of insect pests," says Helmuth Rogg, manager of ODA's Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program. "This phase of our program is extremely important. Placing traps statewide helps us detect any small population of gypsy moths and other unwanted insect pests that can hopefully be eradicated before they spread and become more difficult to get rid of."
Most Oregonians are somewhat familiar with the state's history of trapping and treating gypsy moth populations. ODA has been placing traps this time of year for decades and following up with spray programs in those areas where a breeding population of gypsy moths can be pinpointed. Recent detection efforts have brought good news- the number of catches over the past two years has been down. Only one gypsy moth was caught last year, the lowest count since ODA started trapping the insect in 1979. It was also the sixth time this decade that the number of gypsy moth detections in Oregon has been in single-digits, a far cry from the mid-1980s when more than 19,000 gypsy moths were trapped in Lane County alone. Both in 2010 and now this spring, there have been no eradication projects taking place in Oregon- a very rare occurrence for even one year of no spraying.
The last eradication project took place in Eugene in 2009. Since then, no gypsy moths have been trapped in that area. With two consecutive years of no detections, the previous gypsy moth population in Eugene has been officially declared eradicated.
The recent data gives little assurance that gypsy moth is currently not a problem. Officials are quick to warn against letting down the guard. New introductions are almost a certainty every year as people move to or visit Oregon from infested areas back east. They unwittingly bring the plant-eating insect with them on such things as outdoor household furniture or other items that may harbor gypsy moth eggs.
"Gypsy moth populations back east appear to be on the upswing, but a severe winter this year may be having an impact- we'll just have to see how it plays out," says Rogg.
Without the traps being placed in Oregon, there is no good way to detect infestations early. By placing as many as four traps per square mile, chances of early detection are high. Many of the traps this year will be located on the west side of the state in areas where gypsy moth have been detected and eradicated in the past- including the Portland area, Eugene, and Salem. However, some traps will still be set in populated areas of central and eastern Oregon. Gypsy moths have been detected in the past in both Bend and Baker City.
Oregonians may recognize ODA's gypsy moth detection effort this spring and summer. However, the traps are designed not to be overly noticeable, except to the moth itself. They are usually placed on a lower branch of primarily deciduous trees. Homeowners are discouraged from tampering with them. Any damage may cost valuable information. The traps are non-toxic and contain a sex pheromone that attracts male moths. Inside the trap is a sticky surface similar to flypaper. The moth flies in and gets stuck to the inside surface. Throughout the summer, ODA crews will check the traps and will begin taking them down for the year in September.
Meanwhile, thousands of traps will be targeting invasive species that ODA wants to find if the bad bugs have indeed arrived in Oregon. Among the effort is placement of Japanese beetle traps, which look more like a plastic funnel with a can on the bottom. About 2,000 traps will be placed statewide with the Cave Junction area in Josephine County still a location of concern following last year's eradication efforts.
The brown marmorated stink bug is fast becoming a major pest of concern in Oregon. The exotic insect has caused major agricultural damage in Pennsylvania and other areas of the eastern US. Although the stink bug was first detected in 2004 in Oregon, it has yet to cause damage to agriculture. This year's survey efforts will concentrate in major areas of crop production.
"This could turn out to be the bug from hell for us," says Rogg. "Ornamental trees, hazelnuts, fruits, vegetables- you name it, the bug attacks it. Actually, it might be easier to list the plant hosts it won't attack."
ODA will test various traps for the brown marmorated stink bug and help with biological control research spearheaded by the US Department of Agriculture and likely conducted at an Oregon State University biocontrol facility in Corvallis.
Surveys continue this year for spotted wing drosophila, a tiny fruit fly that has impacted Oregon's fruit industry the past two years. There is still concern over Asian longhorned beetle, a tree-killing pest that fortunately has yet to make an appearance in Oregon. European grape vine moth is another targeted pest in this year's detection efforts.
ODA appreciates the general support of its trapping efforts by the public. Much like other states dealing with invasive species, Oregon is adopting a policy of early detection, rapid response.
"In the long term, this is a much more economic way to prevent invasive insect pests from getting established in Oregon," says Rogg. "It's better than doing nothing and waiting until there is a big outbreak. When that happens, it costs a lot more to get rid of it, if it's at all possible to get rid of it."
For more information, contact Helmuth Rogg at (503) 986-4662.
Story of the Week pdf version
http://oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/110518insect_traps.pdf
Audio Story of the Week
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/110518insect_traps_audio.shtml
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