USDA Forest Service
Washington
Forest Health Protection Staff
Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team
SHORT SUBJECTS
AND TIMELY TIPS
FOR PESTICIDE USERS
Topic
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL, IPM, AND EXOTIC PESTS PEST CONTROL
Monarch Butterfly Alive and Well
Biotic Invasions: Causes, Epidemiology, Global Consequences and Control
Biological Control of Kudzu ( Pueraria lobata ) With An Isolate of
Myrothecium Verrucaria
PEST CONTROL
USDA To Test Insecticide Against Asian Longhorned Beetle
Southern Pine Beetle
REGULATORY
Isssue No. 00-1
March 2000
(2150)
Page No.
1-2
2-3
3
4
4
USDA Seeks Public Comment On Noxious Weed Regulations
HUMAN HEALTH
Smithkline (SBH) Sued Over LymeVaccine
Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Btk) On Human Health
4-5
5
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MISCELLANEOUS
Six New Studies Approved For FS-PIAP Funding
Implementation Phase of T.R.E.E.S. Project Launched
ON THE INTERNET
PUBLICATIONS
UPCOMING EVENTS
CALL FOR ARTICLES
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL, IPM, AND EXOTIC PESTS PEST CONTROL
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6-7
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7
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MONARCH BUTTERFLY ALIVE AND WELL
(Source: Press Release issued by the University of Guelph, January 2000)
Citing preliminary findings from new research being conducted by Professor Mark Sears, chair of the University of Guelph’s Department of Environmental Biology and the Canadian Corn Pest
Coalition, pollen from Bt corn containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) “is found in too-low doses on most milkweed plants to hurt Monarch butterfly larvae.” This coming after “a U.S. study claimed pollen from Bt-corn damaged Monarch butterfly larvae.” The two-year field research study being conducted by Dr. Sears will look at the “ecological impacts of Bt-corn pollen on selected non-target butterfly species, including the Monarch.” The study will focus on Bt pollen
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and the distance it travels. To view the press release visit the following website; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/02/000208094017.htm or for a copy –
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (916) 454-0817
BIOTIC INVASIONS: CAUSES, EPIDEMIOLOGY,
GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES AND CONTROL
(by Richard N. Mack (Chair), Daniel Simberloff, W. Mark Lonsdale, Harry Evans,
Michael Clout, and Fakhri Bazzaz)
(Source: Issues in Ecology Series , No. 5, Spring 2000)
Summary
Humans have accomplished an unprecedented redistribution of the earth’s living things. Both incidentally and deliberately, through migration, transport, and commerce, humans are continuing to disperse an ever-increasing array of species across previously insurmountable environmental barriers such as oceans, mountain ranges, rivers, and inhospitable climate zones.
Among the most far-reaching consequences of this reshuffling is a sharp increase in biotic invaders – species that establish new ranges in which they proliferate, spread, and persist to the detriment of native species and ecosystems. In a world without borders, few if any areas remain sheltered from these wholesale immigrations, and for some areas such as oceanic islands, the trend has become an onslaught.
Despite ubiquitous arrivals of new plants, animals and microorganisms, the fate of immigrants is decidedly mixed. Few survive and only a small fraction become naturalized. Most that do become naturalized exert no demonstrable impact in their new range. However, some naturalized species do become invasive, and these can cause severe environmental damage.
There are several potential reasons why immigrants succeed: Some escape constraints such as predators or parasites, some find vacant niches to occupy, some are aided by human-caused disturbance that disrupts native communities. Whatever the cause, successful invaders can in many cases inflict enormous ecological damage.
The scientific literature reviewed by the panel makes it clear that:
ü
Animal invaders can cause extinctions of vulnerable native species through predation, grazing, competition, and habitat alteration.
ü
Plant invaders can completely alter the fire regime, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and energy budgets in a native ecosystem, greatly diminish the abundance or survival of native species, and even block navigation or enhance flooding.
ü
Many non-native animals and plants can hybridize with native species.
ü In agriculture, the principle pests of temperate crops are non-native, and the combined expenses of pest control and crop losses constitute an onerous “tax” on food, fiber, and forage production.
ü The global cost of virulent plant and animal diseases caused by organisms transported to new ranges and presented with susceptible new hosts is currently incalculable.
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Identifying future invaders and taking effective steps to prevent their dispersal and establishment is an enormous challenge to ecology, agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and pet trades, conservation, and international commerce. The panel finds that:
ü Identifying general attributes of future invaders has proven difficult.
ü
Predicting susceptible locales for future invasions seems even more problematic, given the enormous differences in commerce among various regions and thus in the rate of arrival of potential invaders.
ü
Eradication of an established invader is rare and control efforts vary enormously in their efficacy. Successful control depends more on commitment and continuing diligence than the efficacy of specific tools themselves (trapping or spraying insecticides, releasing biological control agents).
ü
Control of biotic invasions is most effective when it employs a long-term ecosystem-wide strategy rather than a tactical approach focused on battling individual invaders.
ü Prevention of invasions is much less costly than post-entry control.
Revamping national and international quarantine laws by adopting a “guilty until proven innocent” approach, instead of the current strategy of denying entry only to species already proven noxious or detrimental, would be a productive first step. The global consequences of failing to address the issue of invasions effectively would be severe, including wholesale loss of agriculture, forestry and fishery resources in some regions and disruption of the ecological processes that supply us with natural services on which the human enterprise depends. Given their current scale, biotic invasions have also taken their place alongside human-driven atmospheric and oceanic change as major agents of global change, and left unchecked, will influence these other forces in profound but still unpredictable ways.
A copy of this 21-page article can be accessed at: http://esa.sdsc.edu/issues5.htm or -
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA) (916) 454-0817
(By Clyde D. Boyette, H.L. Walker, and Hamed K. Abbas)
(Source: Agricultural Research Service, Southern Weed Science Lab, Stoneville, MS, 1999-10-
13)
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF KUDZU ( PUERARIA LOBATA)
WITH AN ISOLATE OF MYROTHECIUM VERRUCARIA
Interpretive Summary
Kudzu is an introduced weed pest that infests millions of acres of land in the southeastern U.S.
This weed is spreading within the Southeast as well as northward and westward at an alarming rate. Kudzu is difficult and expensive to control with chemical herbicides. Scientists at the
Southern Weed Science Research Unit discovered a fungus, Myrothecium verrucaria that will infect and kill kudzu when spores of this fungus are suspended in a spray mixture containing a surfactant. This fungus does not require free-moisture (dew) to infect and kill kudzu. In field tests, 100% control of kudzu was achieved. These results suggest that this fungus has great potential as a bioherbicide for control of kudzu.
CONTACT: CYLDE D. BOYETTE (MS) (601) 686-5217
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PEST CONTROL
USDA TO TEST INSECTICIDE AGAINST ASIAN
LONGHORNED BEETLE
(Source: Press Release, AHIS, January 28, 2000)
“WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2000 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to conduct field tests to determine whether a systemic insecticide will be useful in stopping the spread of the
Asian Longhorned beetle.”
According to the press release, researchers are working diligently to find an alternative to the removal of infested trees. Aphis plans to begin field testing the systemic insecticides this spring.
Soil and trunk injections are the two methods of delivery that will be evaluated. A copy of the press release can be viewed at <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/press/2000/01/albtest.txt> or contact Pat Skyler (916) 454-0817.
For additional information –
CONTACT: ALB OPERATIONS OFFICER (MD)
SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE
(Source: Kentucky Pest News , No. 874, March 20, 2000)
(301) 734-8247
According to the most recent issue of Kentucky Pest News “the southern pine beetle has been active recently in areas of southeastern Kentucky” where the Daniel Boone National Forest is currently working on sanitation projects (view the Daniel Boone NF southern pine beetle website at: <http://www.r8web.com/boone/SPB.htm>. Referenced in the article is a USDA Agriculture handbook that provides information on damage, detection of southern pine beetle attacks, and control. The handbook A Field Guide for Ground Checking Southern Pine Beetle Spots , No. 558 can be accessed on the internet at: <http://everest.ento.vt.edu/~salom/Hndbk558/558.html>
REGULATORY
USDA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NOXIOUS WEED REGULATIONS
(Source: Press Release, APHIS, March 17, 2000)
“WASHINGTON, March 17, 2000 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering revising its noxious weed regulations and is seeking input from the public.”
Comments should be received on or before May 19, 2000. Send original and 3 copies to Docket
No. 98-064-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River
Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. A copy of the press release is available for viewing
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at <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/press/2000/03/noxweeds.txt> or contact Pat Skyler at (916)
454-0817.
For additional information –
CONTACT: POLLY LEHTONEN (MD)
HUMAN HEALTH
(301) 734-8896
SMITHKLINE (SBH) SUED OVER LYME VACCINE
(Source: West Chester, Pa., Dec. 14/PRNewswire)
“A class action lawsuit filed today in Pennsylvania claims the vaccine that prevents Lyme
Disease causes an incurable form of autoimmune arthritis and, for some, could produce symptoms far worse than those brought on by the illness.”
The lawsuit contends that SmithKline “used high concentrations of a surface protein called OspA as the foundation for its vaccine. When bitten by a Lyme infected parasite, humans are not exposed to OspA protein. The levels of OspA that enter the bloodstream at any phase of the three-dose LYMErix vaccine, however place patients classified by genetic type HLA-DR4+ at risk of developing a condition referred to as ‘treatment-resistant’ Lyme Arthritis.” About onethird of the general population is HLA-DR4+. HLA-DR4+ can be easily detected by a blood test.
For a copy of the press release –
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA)
EFFECTS OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS
KURSTAKI (Btk) ON HUMAN HEALTH
(Source: The Vancouver Province , January 23, 2000)
(916) 454-0817
For those interested in the effects of Btk on human health, a recent study coordinated by regional medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick, is now available. The study was conducted in
British Columbia in conjunction with the 1999 Gypsy Moth Eradication Project on Vancouver
Island. The report and its results are preliminary and research findings are incomplete. Further analysis and data collection is ongoing. The report is located at: <http://www.caphealth.org> then click on Medical Health Officer or
CONTACT: PAT SKYLER (CA) (916) 454-0817
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MISCELLANEOUS
SIX NEW STUDIES APPROVED FOR FS-PIAP FUNDING
The approved new and continuing Forest Service-Pesticide Impact Assessment Program studies for FY 2000 are listed in the following table:
Unit/Project
Number
R1/4-20
Project Title ( New Studies ) SPFH$
$ 8M
R6-19
Efficacy of 2% Carbaryl and 0.5% Permethrin
Treatments In Protecting Douglas-fir from Attack by
Douglas-fir Beetles
Long-term Impacts on Non-target Vertebrates after a
Cholecalciferol Application to Control Pocket Gopher
$ 68M
R8-41
NC-32
Continued Evaluation of … Emamectin Benzoate,
Imiudacloprid, and Thiomethoxam for Control of Cone and Seed Insects in Loblolly Pine Seed Orchards
Evaluation of Neem Extract as a Natural Insecticide to
Control the Asian Longhorned Beetle
$ 18M
$ 20M
PSW-34
RM-6
Total Funding, new studies
Unit/Project
Number
Project Title ( Continuing Studies )
PSW-34 Efficacy and Non-target Effects of Hexazinone and
Tebuthiuron For Control of Non-native Plants in Hawaii
NE-20
Non-target Effects of Hexazinone on Soil Organism
Guilds
Integration of Herbicides and Prescribed Burning for
Plant Community Restoration
PSW-33
FHTET
Glyphosate and Sulfometuron Methyl Impacts on
Diversity … in Allegheny Hardwoods
Repeated Use of Glyphosate on Functional Diversity and
Key Processes of Non-target Soil Organisms
FS-PIAP program administration
$ 31M
$60M
$206M
SPFH$
$ 12M
$ 73M
$ 43M
$ 26M
Total Funding, continuing studies
FY 2000 FS-PIAP TOTAL
$154M
$360M
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE OF T.R.E.E.S
PROJECT LAUNCHED
(Source: USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry Weekly Information Summary , January 24,
2000)
On January 24 th
, TreePeople (one of the oldest and largest non-profit environmental organizations in the Los Angeles, CA area) launched the implementation phase of the Trans
Agency Resources for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (TREES) project. The Forest
Service provided initial seed funding to this organization through a National Urban and
Community Forestry Advisory Council grant in 1996. It was demonstrated during this initial
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phase that the retrofitting of large cities to function as urban forest ecosystems was economically and technically viable. The USDA Forest Service is providing a matching grant of $50,000 for this latest phase of the project. This “phase will facilitate the planning process among core infrastructure management agencies to implement best management practices at a regional level.”
For additional information –
CONTACT: SUSAN MOCKENHAUPT (DC) (202) 205-1007
ON THE INTERNET
USDA has launched a new website which provides information on biotechnology. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/
The National Park Service has a website at
<http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/exoticab/exoticab.htm> which contains under “Table of contents” Exotic Species Ranking System for ranking reports on invasive species in three small national parks. The site also includes species abstracts on leafy spurge, cheatgrass, smooth brome, quackgrass and others. This site goes along with their general
“Alien Species Ranking
System” information site at <http://www.165.83,32.34/pubs/ranking/ranking.htm> (Source: Gay
Austin, District Biologist, USDA Forest Service, Gunnison, CO 81230)
PUBLICATIONS
Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. 1999. Accomplishment Report – Fiscal Year 1999.
Report No. FHTET 99-05. USDA Forest Service, FHTET, Ft. Collins, CO. For a copy of the report contact Georgia Haynes (970) 295-5839 or email: ghaynes/wo_ftcol@fs.fed.us
EPA’s Office of Research and Development has released a report entitled “Research &
Development: Research Accomplishments” which summarizes the Agency’s significant scientific research contributions in 1997 and 1998. To order a copy of the report call 1-800-490-
9198. The publication will soon be available via the internet at: http://www.epa.gov/ORD/publications
A biennial pesticide report which provides an overview of initiatives and accomplishments achieved during 1998 and 1999 in implementing the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and the Food Quality Protection Act has been released by EPA and is available on the internet at: <http://www.epa.gov/pesticides> -
(see February 3 rd
entry) or contact: Pat Skyler (916) 454-0817.
The EPA has released the Phase II report of the Consumer Labeling Initiative in an effort to improve understanding of pesticice labels. It can be viewed on their website at
<http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/labeling> or you can order a copy by phone (202) 260-1023 or email: ppic@epa.gov
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UPCOMING EVENTS
12 April 2000. Biological Invasions!
The Quiet Global Change , Oregon State University,
Corvallis, OR. For additional information contact: Christi Sheridan (541) 867-0367 or visit their website at <http://seagrant.orst.edu/colloquium>
8 May 2000. Conference on Pesticide Use Reporting , Sacramento, CA. Sponsored by the
California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Contact: Anne Mox (916) 324-4077 or for a copy of the brochure visit their website at:
<http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pur/pur98rep/brochure.htm>
17-19 May 2000. Western Region Pesticide Conference , Colorado Springs, CO. The conference is sponsored by the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators. For additional information contact: Sandra McDonald (970) 491-6027 or Jim Bigelow (307) 777-
6590.
21-23 June 2000. Integrated Pest Management in Forested Recreation Areas training session , Mt. Shasta City, CA. Contact: John Dale, (707) 562-8915, Pete Angwin (530) 242-
2336, or Dave Shultz (530) 242-2335. Registration closes on May 25 th
.
9-12 July 2000. 2000 American Society of Agricultural Engineers Annual International
Meeting , Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Contact: Brenda West, (616) 428-6327, email: west@asae.org or visit their website at <http://asae.org> .
11-12 July 2000. California Conference on Biological Control II , Riverside, CA. For additional information, Phone (909) 787-7292, or visit their website at:
<http://www.biocontrol.ucr.edu/CCBCII.html>
14-18 August 2000. Western International Forest Disease Work Conference , Kohala Coast,
Hawaii. Contact: Jerry Beatty, Phone (503) 668-1474, email: jbeatty/r6pnw_mthood@fs.fed.us or visit their website at <http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/wif>
16-20 November 2000. 2000 Society of American Foresters National Convention ,
Washington Hilton & Towers, Washington, DC. Visit their website at
<http://www.safnet.org/calendar/future.html>
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.
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
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Within Forest Service (FS): pskyler/r5,rsl
Outside FS: pskyler/r5_rsl@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 20 th
Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by Email: (within FS – pskyler/r5,rsl), (outside FS – pskyler/r5_rsl@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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