Environment DEC
From the August 2008 issue
News From Two Fronts in Battle Against Tree-killing Invasive Beetles
No New Asian Longhorned Beetles on Prall's Island
A recent survey of Prall's Island in New York harbor found no Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) more than a year after the initial discovery of the invasive exotic insect in March 2007 triggered an intensive control effort to prevent further dispersal. ALB are wood-boring insects that attack a variety of hardwood species including maple, birch, elm, poplar, horse chestnut and willow. Upon hatching, ALB larvae tunnel through the heartwood of a host tree until fully grown, when they burrow out of the trunk as adult beetles, killing their hosts in the process. Native to East Asia, this invasive species has the potential to cause millions of dollars of damage to commercial forests and to devastate forest habitats across the state.
The Asian longhorned beetle had been using Prall's Island to hopscotch to Staten Island. Intensive control efforts have eliminated the beetle from Prall's Island
"This beetle had been able to use Prall's Island to reach Staten Island," said Robert Davies, Director of DEC's Division of Lands and Forests and New York State Forester. "In response, we joined with our partners at the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), New York City's Department of Parks and Recreation (NYCDPR), and the State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) to launch an intensive program designed to address the existing infestation and help prevent the beetle from becoming established on Staten Island and beyond."
A Four-year Process
On Prall's and Staten islands, known and potential host trees and saplings were cut down and their wood chipped to destroy any beetle larvae. Trees and saplings were removed within one-half-mile of the known infestation area, and potential host trees within a one-mile range of the area were chemically treated to repel the beetle. A minimum of three consecutive years of chemical treatments are required for effective control, provided no additional infestations are detected in the area. Treatments have been applied in 2007 and 2008. Additional resources are needed to complete surveys on all potential host trees within the 1.5-mile boundary, in order to determine if any more infested trees remain. Due to the limitations of visual surveys, four years of negative surveys are necessary in order to determine if the ALB has successfully been eradicated from the area.
Pratt Paper, Inc. of Staten Island voluntarily contributed to last year's invasive species control efforts by allowing the company's nearby paper mill to be used as a command center for government officials last spring. This significant support was instrumental to the operation and the state has presented Pratt representatives with a plaque in recognition of the company's support.
In addition to the natural tree regeneration that has occurred on Prall's Island, a NYCDPR restoration team began work this spring, clearing invasive plants, as well as planting new trees, native plants and shrubs. An expanded replanting program is being planned by NYCDPR for this fall.
Multi-agency Survey Looks for Ash Borer
Smaller than a penny but destructive - the emerald ash borer infests and kills all ash species
DEC and other federal and state agencies is setting bait traps in ash trees across Western New York in an effort to vigilantly monitor the possible spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a tree-killing beetle. Traps to attract and catch the beetles are being hung in ash trees within a 100-mile radius from previously documented EAB locations in Ontario, Canada. During June, more than 2,000 traps were placed in Western New York areas including Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Erie, Wyoming, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Monroe counties. DEC is participating in the survey with NYSDAM, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and USDA-APHIS.
The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. Damage is caused by the larvae, which feed in tunnels (called galleries) in the phloem just below the bark. The serpentine galleries disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing branches, and eventually the entire tree, to die. Since its discovery in southeastern Michigan in 2002, the EAB has been responsible for the destruction of more than 50 million ash trees in the U.S. The beetle has been moving steadily eastward and has been found in Pennsylvania and Toronto, Canada.
Leave EAB Traps Alone
Division Director Rob Davies of Lands and Forests installs the state's first emerald ash borer trap
"EAB represents a significant threat to New York State's ash trees," said DEC Regional Forester Wayne Cooper. "While it has not yet been positively documented within New York State, EAB has recently been found within 50 miles of Western New York." The bright purple, prism-shaped EAB traps are made of sticky-coated corrugated plastic and contain scented lures. After 30 days, the traps will be inspected and samples collected. After 60 days, the traps will be collected and removed from the trees. Should you encounter an EAB trap hanging in an ash tree while you are visiting a park or state forest, please help the survey effort by leaving it in place.
The EAB has metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen; it is small enough to fit easily on a penny. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Other signs of infection include tree canopy dieback, yellowing, and browning of leaves. Infested trees may also exhibit woodpecker damage from larvae extraction. Once a tree is infested by the EAB, there is no way to save it.
We Can Slow EAB's Spread
While we cannot eliminate our susceptibility to the EAB, we can take steps to slow its advancement, including:
- Adhering to firewood regulations and refraining from moving firewood more than 50 miles from its source. (Buy firewood where you plan to use it!);
- Checking ash trees for any signs of EAB damage, and
- Reporting suspected EAB damage to DEC at 716-851-7010.
See the Firewood and Invasive Insects, and Emerald Ash Borer web pages on DEC's website, as well as "Related Links" below for more information.
Related Links
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Emerald Ash Borer (leaving DEC's site)
Emerald Ash Borer Information (leaving DEC's site)
