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Invasive Insects
Invasion pathways into California are numerous, and the number of invasive insects detected increases annually. The mild weather in California, in combination with most invasive insects arriving without their native component of parasites and predators, creates the potential for rapid invasion and successful establishment in forest systems. There are typically over 150 port interceptions annually of wood-infesting insects in California, and many remain undetected until they cause plant injury and/or mortality.
Assessment
- Cooperation needs to improve between the Forest Service, CDFA, APHIS, and CAL FIRE regarding detection, notification, and management of potential invasive forest pests.
- Currently, there is not a cohesive multi-agency strategy for firewood movement: invasive bark and wood infesting insects hitch rides on or in firewood presenting a great risk of invasion into new environments.
- Due to insect mobility and the potential for rapid and high reproductive rates, newly found invasives must be acted upon quickly; this may require a quick shift in workload and funding priorities.
- The window of opportunity to identify and eradicate newly detected insect pests is typically very short; consequently, high levels of tree mortality may occur prior to effective management strategies being developed and implemented.
Priority Species
Spongy moth is a pest of national concern and is surveyed for annually in California. It defoliates over a million acres of hardwoods annually in the eastern U.S. and is also a public nuisance. Various life stages of spongy moths were intercepted at the Yermo and Truckee Border Protection Stations during 2012. Material was entering from Indiana and Michigan. One Asian spongy moth was trapped in San Diego County in September 2012. CDFA and APHIS are following established protocols to follow-up on this detection.
Goldspotted oak borer (GSOB), invasive in California, has killed over 17,000 oaks across multiple ownerships in San Diego County since 2002. The aesthetic, ecological, cultural and wildlife habitat value of the oak component has been severely impacted. In addition, hundreds of high-value oaks have been killed at recreation and Forest Service administrative sites, and along evacuation corridors, resulting in costly hazardous tree removal projects. A multi-agency survey and management effort, led by Forest Health Protection is underway. This borer is also attacking and killing oaks in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, European pine shoot moth and pine shoot beetle are not present in California; Federal and/or State quarantines are in place to prevent movement of infested wood material from states known to have these insects.
The polyphagous shot hole borer, Euwallacea sp., and Fusarium dieback, Fusarium euwallaceae, is an exotic insect-disease complex causing injury and mortality to numerous native and ornamental hardwood trees and shrubs in southern California. The ambrosia beetle carries several symbiotic fungi, including the recently identified Fusarium euwallaceae. First linked to tree injury in 2012. The new insect-disease complex has killed numerous trees of several hardwood species in urban areas and on public land. The ambrosia beetle has a wide host range and can complete development in >20 species.
Prevention
- USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection (FHP) is developing a regional strategy regarding firewood movement within California.
- FHP has trained California’s Border Protection Station personnel to detect and identify potential forests pests.
- FHP assists in developing risk products for pests to determine the biological risk, forest tree species at risk, and also known commodities that may facilitate movement of the pests.
Early Detection and Rapid Response
Early detection of invasive insects, combined with a prompt and coordinated containment and eradication response, can reduce environmental and economic impacts.
- CDFA implements the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program in California, which includes surveying for invasive forest pest species. FHP has representation on the California CAPS committee.
- FHP annually conducts aerial and ground surveys on forested lands in CA to detect tree injury and/or mortality and to determine if the specific causal agent is native or invasive.
- FHP WO has implemented a strategy with APHIS to review New Pest Advisory Group (NPAG) reports for insect and disease pests that have the potential to affect native and urban forests. Reportable/actionable determinations in the NPAG report are critical to agency and funding support.
Control and Management
- Depending on the insect pest, various integrated pest management strategies are implemented. Land ownership and MOU’s typically dictate lead agency and funding sources.
- USDA Forest Service, FHP has a technology development program that works cooperatively with FS Research, universities and other partners to research and develop new pest management technologies as needed.
- CDFA has an EIR for gypsy moth eradication programs in California. There is also an MOU in place between the USDA Forest Service and APHIS for management of European gypsy moth and also a national level EIS.
Rehabilitation and Restoration
- FHP provides funding on Federal, State, and Private lands to rehabilitate degraded areas to prevent invasive insect species infestations or to prevent reoccurrence after invasive species removal.
- The removal of hazard trees and/or fuels associated with invasive insect attacks and subsequent tree mortality is addressed as needed.
Highlights
- Goal of the Invasive Species Program
The goal of the USDA Forest Service invasive species program is to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the potential for introduction, establishment, spread, and impact of invasive species across all landscapes and ownerships.
