2017 Gypsy Moth Activity Report from Oregon Department of Agriculture

The Oregon Department of Agriculture recently released their 2017 Gypsy Moth Activity Report. 15,135 traps placed throughout the state in 2017 resulted in a total of eleven gypsy moths being caught in Portland, Corvallis, Philomath, Eugene, and Cave Junction. No moths were detected from old sites, including Grants Pass where gypsy moths were trapped four years in a row (2013 - 2016), or in the Asian gypsy moth eradication area in Portland where over 8,000 acres were treated by air in the spring of 2016.     

AGM populations from Asia and the Russian Far East continue to pose a threat to the US and to Oregon. International trade and commerce activities increase the likelihood of new introductions. Photo: ODA.

The four maps (above) show locations where gypsy moths were detected in 2017. Delimitation trapping will be conducted in 2018 at all sites where gypsy moths were caught in 2017, as well as 2018. 

To read the full report click here.

The Oregon Forest Pest Detectors Program

What is the Oregon Forest Pest Detectors Program?
The Oregon Forest Pest Detector program (OFPD) is a professional training offered by OSU Extension in collaboration with Oregon Department of Forestry, the US Forest Service, USDA APHIS, and the Oregon Invasive Species Council. After completing the training, participants are able to identify potential invasive forest pest infestations that they may encounter in their daily work responsibilities, and they know where to file a report for the most rapid response. The program focuses on two high-priority insects, the emerald ash borer (EAB) and the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). We have also provided continuing education workshops on the Asian gypsy moth (AGM), and are developing future workshops on the goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) and sudden oak death (SOD) in Southwestern Oregon.

What's the issue with these pests? 

In the less than 3 decades that EAB & ALB have been in the US, they have caused extensive urban and natural forest mortality. For example, EAB has killed over 100 million ash trees in the US since its introduction. States and municipalities with infestations have to eradicate the insects, cut down infested trees, and replant new trees. Not to mention other major costs associated with the loss of environmental services from trees (e.g. clean water and clean air), decreased property values, and trade restrictions on plant products that we sell to domestic and international partners. In Oregon, we have abundant urban and natural forests that are full of EAB and ALB hosts species, including our native Oregon ash. We also have a state economy that relies heavily on trade in plant materials, such as timber and nursery plants. If either of these insects becomes established, we risk taking a big hit to our environment and economy.

So what’s the good news? We have learned from other states that the earlier we detect these insects and the faster we react, the better the chance we have of eradicating them from our forests. The tricky part is that we do not currently have the most efficient traps for EAB and ALB, so we will need to rely heavily on visual survey for early detection.

How can I get involved? 

The program is designed for natural resource professionals, such as arborists and landscapers, parks and recreation employees, soil and water conservation district staff, and forestry technicians. We also welcome natural resource volunteers who spend much of their time working in urban and natural forests. If enough of these professionals and volunteers know what signs and symptoms to notice when working around trees in their normal routine and where to file a report, there is a much higher chance that we can detect these insects early and treat them quickly before they become established. Please report any possible invasive species sightings to the Oregon Invasive Species Online Hotline at https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/. It is easy and fast, and there are excellent identification experts on the receiving side that handle your report. If you need help with filing a report, you can visit the OFPD website and view Module 4 of the online course for instructions on reporting.

If you are a natural resource professional or volunteer and want to take the OFPD training, you can contact Brandy directly to be placed on our mailing list. If you do not work directly with natural resources but would like to learn more, our online course is open access and free, so you can view the learning modules at any time.

Oregon Forest Pest Detectors in Action. Photo credit: Amy Grotta

Brandy Saffell | Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Staff | Oregon State University
505 N Columbia River Highway | St Helens, OR 97051 | Phone: 503-397-3462
Oregon Forest Pest Detector Program || Oregon Master Naturalist Program

Early Detection, Rapid Response

A recent report by the U.S. Department of Interior, Safeguarding America’s Lands and Waters from Invasive Species: A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid Response, recognizes invasive species as one of the most significant ecological threats to America’s natural resources. As directed by the Whitehouse’s Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) will use the reports’ recommendations to work with a multi-stakeholder task force to create a national framework for Early Detection Rapid Response.

The creation of a national framework for EDRR by the NISC will support the efforts of stakeholders by:

1. Establishing a multi-stakeholder EDRR Task Force

2. Convening high-level decision makers to assess funding mechanisms for a nation-wide preparedness and an emergency response initiative

3. Advancing pilot projects targeted for high priority areas

4. Scaling partnerships across government and with private, non-profit, and scientific communities

5. Fostering the development and application of innovative scientific and technical approaches to EDRR

Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) proves a critical tool in identifying an invasive species (IS) problem, and containing or eradicating it before it becomes widely established. The eradication of an invasive species reduces the environmental and economic costs associated with both the loss of ecosystem services due to the invasion, and also greatly reduces the cost of managing the problem of an invasion over time.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is currently working to deploy EDRR in response to a newly identified invasive species threat in Portland, Oregon - the Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) Lymantria dispar asiatica. The AGM is a subspecies of the dreaded European gypsy moth (EGM), who are widely known for their prolific destruction of forests on the East Coast. Unfortunately, the AGM is even better suited to wreck havoc than the EGM, as the AGM has a much broader host range, and the female moth is able to fly, allowing the populations to expand further and quicker than the feared EGM. In response to the threat of losing Portland’s prized urban forests to an invasive species, the ODA treated affected areas with an aerial application of the biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (BTK) in the early Spring 2016.

We will keep our fingers crossed that the timely use of EDRR proves successful in eradicating AGM before it establish’s in the deeply loved forest’s of Portland, Oregon!

The attention to the importance of combating invasive species and the development of national protocols are exciting developments! As communities work to protect and conserve their natural resources, EDRR will continue to prove an invaluable tool in the fight against invasive species.

Take a look at the report, “Safeguarding America’s Lands and Waters from Invasive Species A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid Response” here: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/National%20EDRR%20Framework.pdf

Please, let us know what you think about these exciting developments!

Asian Gypsy Moth Introduction

THE EUROPEAN GYPSY MOTH

Lymantria dispar, is one of North America's most significant and devastating forest pests. Introduced into North America in the late 1860s in Massachusetts, the European gypsy moth is now a well-documented forest canopy and nuisance pest in its introduced range. Its host range exceeds 300 species of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. At high populations, gypsy moths can completely defoliate trees, leading to whole tree mortality coupled with other stressors such as drought and other insects.

Gypsy moths overwinter in tan-colored egg masses located on the bark of trees, leaves, or other nearby objects. Eggs hatch the following spring. Young caterpillars are dark, fuzzy, and lack obvious markings. Eventually, blue and red spots become more visible on their backs. Gypsy moth caterpillars spend most of their life consuming the leaves (or needles) of their host trees. Defoliation continues and is followed by pupation. Moths emerge to mate and lay eggs. The flightless white female moths emit pheromones to attract the brown, flying male moths. Gypsy moths have one generation per year.

THE ASIAN GYPSY MOTH

Lymantria dispar asiatica, a subspecies of the European gypsy moth. Similar in most ways, the Asian gypsy moth comes equipped with two additional weapons under its belt: 1) a much broader host range (more than 500 trees and shrubs), and 2) the female moth’s ability to fly, enabling populations to expand quicker and farther than the European gypsy moth.

In 2015 the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and other state and federal cooperators caught two Asian gypsy moths and 12 European gypsy moths statewide. The two Asian gypsy moths were caught near the Port of Portland Terminal 4 area in St. Johns and across the Willamette River in the adjacent Forest Park. Of the 12 European gypsy moths, five were caught in or near Portland Metro/Tri-county area (three in Northwest Portland, one in Forest Grove and one in West Linn). The other seven European gypsy moths were caught in northwest Grants Pass where ODA had been catching gypsy moths in 2014 (four moths) and 2013 (two moths).

USDA convened a Technical Working Group in October 2015 to discuss the Asian gypsy moth catch situations in Oregon and Washington. An Asian and European gypsy moth eradication plan are being developed for the Northwest Portland area in 2016. It is proposed that about 8,000 acres would be treated with an aerial application of a biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki in the spring of 2016 to eradicate the Asian and European gypsy moth infestation. Delimitation traps will be placed in 2016 to monitor the success of the eradication and to pinpoint any remaining populations.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

Because we’ll lose a lot trees. Gypsy moth caterpillars have little discretion. As previously mentioned, their host range is great, and they can completely defoliate trees. In a year with sufficient precipitation, deciduous trees that have been defoliated can flush out a new set leaves that season. As outstanding as this sounds, and although a testament to these trees’ apparent health, flushing out a new set of leaves stresses a tree. Forced to undergo this stress for more than one year, trees become weak and prone to other insects and diseases. Gypsy moth can also defoliate coniferous trees such as Douglas fir and hemlock (both dominant species on Forest Park). Unlike deciduous trees, coniferous trees cannot flush out a new set of needles in that same year and are therefore not able to “bounce back” after an attack.

IN SUMMARY, THIS IS WHAT LIVING WITH GYPSY MOTH IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WOULD LOOK LIKE:

• Cyclic defoliation of the trees in Forest Park and surrounding areas, resulting in increased water temperatures and increased organic material in the streams, which will impact native aquatic species.

• Deteriorating forest health conditions coupled with stress caused by drought, resulting in increased tree mortality and the subsequent risk of forest fires.

• Long-term increase in pesticide use due to suppression projects and quarantine regulatory treatments.

• Loss of markets and increased production costs to a variety natural resource and agricultural production economies.

• Increased exposure of migrant agricultural workers to insecticides.

• Overall decrease in quality of life for residents and visitors in and or near forests. Based upon three decades of high density trapping data we know that gypsy moth is not established in Oregon. Furthermore, ODA has decades of experience conducting early detection and rapid response, which has resulted in safe and effective eradication of this pest.

Steel Plates

Asian gypsy moths are not official United States residents. Their home territory is native to Russia, China and Japan. Last year, they hitched a ride on ships coming from Far East Russia loaded with steel plates. They were attracted to the ships by the bright lights used to light up the harbor. Asian gypsy moths love to lay their eggs on smooth flat surfaces, such as the steel plates. Once the ships were loaded with cargo they headed to their destination, Pacific Northwest ports.

The fuzzy brown egg masses arrived here in Portland last spring and some of the intrepid traveling eggs hatched! They found their way into Forest Park and St. Johns and grew up into fully-fledged adults, hoping to make a home for themselves.

An egg mass found on the steel slab during an egg mass search.

The problem with these moths? They love to eat leaves. Lots and lots and lots of leaves. So much they can eat all the leaves off trees in short order, leaving us without the "green" part of Oregon. They also like to travel rapidly. Once they have had a few generations of babies, they can quickly travel to other parts of the state that has yummy, yummy leaves. Trees don't do so well without their leaves!