USDA Forest Service
Washington
Forest Health Protection Staff
Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team
Issue No. 00-5
September 2000
(2150)
SHORT SUBJECTS
AND TIMELY TIPS
FOR PESTICIDE USERS
Topic
Page No.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL, IPM, AND EXOTIC PESTS PEST CONTROL
Articles Available on Sudden Oak Death
Genetic Sleuthing to Track Microscopic Weed Warriors
National Scope of Noxious Weeds Now on World Wide Web
REGULATORY
Cancellation of Pesticides for Non-Payment of Year 2000 Registration
Maintenance Fees
HUMAN HEALTH
Africanized Honey Bees: A New Challenge for Fire Managers
MISCELLANEOUS
The Honey Mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae)
Pine Beetle Outbreak – Banff National Park
Tanzania, East Africa – Home of Kilimanjaro, The Serengeti and
A Forestry Agreement
ON THE INTERNET
PUBLICATIONS
UPCOMING EVENTS
CALL FOR ARTICLES
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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL, IPM, AND EXOTIC PESTS PEST CONTROL
ARTICLES AVAILABLE ON SUDDEN OAK DEATH
Several articles have recently been published on a previously unknown species of tree fungus
that has been identified as the cause of tens of thousands of oak trees that have died up and down
the California coast. These articles include:
Quarantine Considered to Battle Oak Fungus - Scientists unsure how disease is spreading (San
Francisco Chronicle, August 1, 2000)
Scientists Pinpoint Mystery Tree Killer (San Jose Mercury News, August 1, 2000)
UC Davis Expert Identifies Oak-Tree Killer and Warns Public to Use Caution (NEWS UC Davis,
July 31, 2000)
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Scientists Fear for Sierra Oaks in Deadly Tree Infestation (Sacramento Bee, August 1, 2000)
Sudden Oak Death Cause Identified (by Richard Halstead)
‘Godzilla’ fungus blamed for oak deaths (Press Democrat, August 1, 2000)
Hikers, Bikers, Drivers can Spread Oak-Tree Killing Fungus Contagious Killer Identified by UC
Davis on Monday (Napa Valley Register, August 1, 2000)
Also see “Meetings” section for information on the first California Oak Mortality Task Force
meeting.
For a copy of the above articles –
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
(916) 454-0817
pskyler@fs.fed.us
GENETIC SLEUTHING TO TRACK
MICROSCOPIC WEED WARRIORS
(Source: Agricultural Research Service News, September 15, 2000, by Jan Suszkiw)
“Certain fungi and other microbes that attack invasive weeds offer an environmentally friendly
method of controlling the pesky plants without resorting to traditional chemical herbicides.
Now, Agricultural Research Service scientists have developed molecular sleuthing techniques to
monitor these biocontrol agents once released into the environment.”
The approach can “detect and identify a weed pathogen’s unique genetic ‘fingerprint’ using
polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplified fragment length poymorphism (AFLP), DNA
sequencing, molecular marking, and other sensitive technologies.”
Redroot and smallflower morning glories were sprayed with an oil-based carrier containing
Myrothecium spores and the method proved to be as lethal to the weeds as the herbicide atrazine.
For a copy of the article contact Pat Skyler, (916) 454-0817, email: pskyler@fs.fed.us
For additional information –
CONTACT: DOUGLAS G. LUSTER (MD)
DANA K. BERNER (MD)
REX W. MILLHOLLON (LA)
(301) 619-7344
(301) 619-7339
(504) 853-3174
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NATIONAL SCOPE OF NOXIOUS WEEDS NOW
ON WORLD WIDE WEB
(Source: Agricultural Research Service News, August 25, 2000, by Kathryn Barry Stelljes
“For the first time, land managers can compare noxious weed lists from the lower 48 United
States and six Canadian provinces by logging on to a new section of the University of Montana’s
‘Invaders’ website. Researchers with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service developed the new
noxious weed section at the website.”
The new section contains official federal, state, and provincial noxious weed lists. The site can
be viewed at <http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/Noxious_Weeds>
For a copy of the article contact Pat Skyler, (916) 454-0817, email: pskyler@fs.fed.us
For additional information –
CONTACT: KERRI SKINNER (MT)
(406) 433-9484
kskinner@sidney.ars.usda.gov
REGULATORY
CANCELLATION OF PESTICIDES FOR NON-PAYMENT
OF YEAR 2000 REGISTRATION MAINTENANCE FEES
(Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Notice OPP-64049, FRL-6737-7, Vol. 65, No. 172,
September 5, 2000)
“SUMMARY: Since the amendments of October 1998, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) has required payment of an annual maintenance fee to keep pesticide
registrations in effect. The fee due last January 15 has gone unpaid for about 984 registrations.
Section 4(i) (5) (G) of FIFRA provides that the Administrator may cancel these registrations by
order and without a hearing; orders to cancel all 984 of these registrations have been issued
within the past few days. For a list of the cancelled registrations –
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
(916) 454-0817
pskyler@fs.fed.us
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HUMAN HEALTH
AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES: A NEW CHALLENGE
FOR FIRE MANAGERS
(Laura D. Merrill, USDA Forest Service
and
P. Kirk Visscher, University of California, Riverside)
(Published in: Fire Management Notes 55(4): 25-30 (1995)
“Firefighters face a new hazard --Africanized honey bees. However, knowledge and preparation
can reduce the risk posed by these newcomers to American wildlands. Africanized honey bees
(AHB) and the familiar European honeybees (EHB) are freely interbreeding subspecies of Apis
mellifera. The most obvious differences between AHB and EHB are behavioral: AHB defend
their nest much more vigorously. Moreover, AHB are ecologically adapted for life in tropical
ecosystems in their foraging, nesting, and reproductive behavior, while EHB are adapted to a
temperate climate.”
A copy of the article can be found at: <http://www.bees.ucr.edu/firenotes.html> or CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
(916) 454-0817
pskyler@fs.fed.us
MISCELLANEOUS
THE HONEY MUSHROOM
(ARMILLARIA OSTOYAE)
(Source: BBC News Online)
“Researchers in the US have found what is probably the largest living organism on earth.”
Armillaria ostoyae is a fungus that covers 2,200 acres and is growing through the earth and roots
of trees on the Malheur National Forest in eastern Oregon.
The fungus is calculated to be approximately 2,400 years old although it could be two to three
times older.
The fungus, which is visible in clusters of golden-colored mushrooms seen in the fall on the
forest floor, attacks roots of a range of tree species and interferes in the tree’s absorption of water
and nutrients eventually killing the tree. Lab studies show this particular fungus to be a single
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individual. Although important to forest ecosystem processes there are ways to minimize tree
mortality by planting less susceptible tree species such as western larch and ponderosa pine.
For a copy of the article contact Pat Skyler, (916) 454-0817, email: pskyler@fs.fed.us.
For additional information:
CONTACT: Dr. Catherine Parks, U.S. Forest Service (OR)
(541) 962-6531
cparks01@fs.fed.us
PINE BEETLE OUTBREAK - BANFF NATIONAL PARK
(Source: CANOE, Canada’s Internet Network, September 28, 2000)
“EDMONTON (CP) – Alberta’s forests may be at risk of a nasty beetle infestation that has
already cost British Columbia’s forest industry millions of dollars.”
Over 500 lodgepole pines have been found to be infected in three different areas of Banff
National Park. This figure is up from 70 trees in 1998. No decisions have been made as to how
to treat the infected areas inside the national park.
For a copy of the article –
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
(916) 454-0817
pskyler@fs.fed.us
TANZANIA, EAST AFRICA – HOME OF KILIMANJARO, THE
SERENGETI AND A FORESTRY AGREEMENT
In 1999 the USDA Forest Service (FS) signed a Letter of Record with the Faculty of Forestry
and Nature Conservation at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania.
The heart of the agreement states that SUA and the FS will encourage specialists and scientists to
communicate on subjects of mutual interest. The faculty is extremely well trained and very
interested in establishing contacts with scientists in the United States. The Departments include:
Department of Forest Biology (Entomology and Pathology), Department of Forest Economics,
Department of Forest Engineering, Department of Forest Mensuration & Management,
Department of Wood Utilization, and Olmotonyi & Mazumbai Training Forests.
If you have any interest in partnerships and collaboration in Tanzania, please email Professor
R.C. Ishengoma, Dean at forestry@suanet.ac.tz. Let him know your area of interest and he will
link you to the appropriate faculty member. Please send a copy of your message to
ghertel@fs.fed.us.
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ON THE INTERNET
Information on Africanized Bees in California can be found at the following website:
<http://www.bees.ucr.edu/>
User-friendly pesticide information is now available online at the Pesticide Action Network
Pesticide Database <http://www.pesticideinfo.org/>. The site includes a diverse array of
information on pesticides from many different sources.
PUBLICATIONS
METEOROLOGY FOR THE RESOURCE MANAGER
AERIAL SPRAYING? PRESCRIBED BURN?
The following is a repeat of an article in last month’s Timely Tips. There are still copies of the
book available -Just published – Mountain Meteorology: Fundamentals and Applications, Oxford University
Press, New York and Oxford. Authored by C. David Whiteman, the book was written for the
resource manager whose everyday field work is influenced positively or negatively by weather.
The book, designed to serve as a textbook, training manual and reference manual, resulted from a
recommendation developed by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection steering
committee. It is published in hardback and has 355 pages of text, illustrations, glossary,
bibliography and index. Most of the 274 illustrations are in color. Sections of the book include:
Mountain Climates, Atmosphere Descriptions, Mountain Winds, Applications – prescribed fire,
fire weather in complex terrain, critical fire weather, monitoring fire, smoke management and
aerial spraying.
Publication of this book was managed by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology
Enterprise Team, in cooperation with its co-sponsors, U.S. Army, National Weather Service, and
Battell Pacific Northwest Laboratory (U.S. Department of Energy contractor). This book is
recommended to all resource specialists who are involved in planning and field applications.
For a FREE COPY (as long as supplies last) –
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
(916) 454-0817
pskyler@fs.fed.us
UPCOMING EVENTS
17 October 2000. California Oak Mortality Task Force – 1st Meeting, 9:30-3:00 pm, USDA
Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Regional Office, Vallejo. Contact: Susan Frankel (707) 5628917, email: sfrankel@fs.fed.us if you plan to attend and for additional information.
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30 October – 2 November 2000. Annual Gypsy Moth Review, Norfolk Waterside Marriott,
Norfolk, VA. Contact: Larry Nichols (804) 786-3515 or visit their website at:
<http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/plant&pest/>
31 October – 2 November 2000. Western North American Defoliator Working Group,
Portland, OR. Contact: John Wenz, (209) 532-3671, ext. 323, email: jwenz@fs.fed.us
6-9 November 2000. 2000 International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide
Alternatives and Emissions Reduction, Clarion Plaza Hotel, Orlando, FL. Contact: Rosemary
Obenauf, (559) 447-2127, email: robenauf@agrc.cnchost.com
16-20 November 2000. 2000 Society of American Foresters National Convention,
Washington Hilton & Towers, Washington, DC. Contact: Society of American Foresters, (301)
897-8720, Fax (301) 897-3690, email: safweb@safnet.org or visit their website at
<http://www.safnet.org/calendar/future.html>
3-6 December 2000. 2000 JAM – the Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of
Canada, Societe d’ Entomologie du Quebec and Entomological Society of America,
Montreal, Quebec. Contact: Entomological Society of America (301) 731-4535, Fax (301) 7314538, email: meet@entsoc.org, or visit their website at <www.entsoc.org>.
23 February 2001. Lyme Disease in California and the Wildlife Profession Workshop,
Raddisson Hotel, Sacramento, CA. Contact: Kent Reeves (209) 365-1096 or Dr. Reg Barrett
(510) 642-7261.
15-16 March 2001. The First International Knapweed Symposium of the New Millenium,
The Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene, ID. Contact: Linda Wilson at lwilson@uidaho.edu,
Barb Mullin (406) 444-5400, or Rita Beard (970) 295-5745 or visit their website at:
<http://www.sidney.ars.usda.gov/knapweed>.
14-18 May 2001. North American Forest Insect Work Conference, Crown Plaza-Chateau
Lacombe Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta. Contacts: Jan Volney (780) 435-7329, Hideji Ono (780)
427-8474, John Spence (780) 492-3003 or check out their website at
<http://nofc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/nafiwc/>
2-5 August 2001. The Practice of Biological Control: Importation and Management of
Natural Enemies in the New Millennium, Bozeman, MT. For additional information contact:
Tim Kring (501) 575-3186.
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CALL FOR ARTICLES
Please forward to me all articles, meeting announcements, publications, reports, or other items of
interest that you would like included in the next issue of Short Subjects & Timely Tips for
Pesticide Users. Please include the name, State, and telephone number of the individual who can
be contacted for further information:
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
(916) 454-0817/Fax (916) 454-0820
Email: pskyler@fs.fed.us
_________________________
The Washington Office, Forest Health Protection, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team sponsors, compiles, edits, and distributes this
informal newsletter as a means of providing current information to forestry pesticide users. Comments, questions, and items of input are
welcome and may be sent to Pat Skyler, Editor, USDA Forest Service, Remote Sensing Lab, 1920 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by
E-mail: <pskyler@fs.fed.us>. Reference to a commercial product or source in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement by the USDA
Forest Service. Information should be verified by contacting the original source of information as neither the editor nor the USDA Forest Service
guarantees the accuracy of the information provided in this newsletter. Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants,
and fish or wildlife if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides in accordance with label precautions.
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