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Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in Kearney
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City of Kearney staff located several "S" shaped tunnels that were later confirmed to be EAB. Photo: Mike Fearnley, City of Kearney.
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In June, city crews from Kearney NE discovered what would turn out to be EAB in a city right-of-way tree. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture collected samples which were later confirmed by the USDA. This marks the most recent find of EAB in Nebraska and the furthest West in the state to date.
This new find is a tremendous jump for EAB, and underscores the importance of not moving ash material or hardwood firewood and mulch from quarantine areas. Even areas without state and federal quarantines are encouraged to "buy it where you burn it" in terms of firewood. This can act to slow down local spread, but can also stop spread where infestations are currently undocumented. According to the NDA no changes will be made in the quarantine until the end of the survey season in early Fall.
Residents are also reminded of the 15 mile treatment consideration zone. Treatments should not begin for EAB until it is officially confirmed within 15 miles of a tree (see map below). Treating before this time can put unnecessary stress on a tree, waste money, and introduce insecticides into the environment before they are needed. Kearney's 15 mile treatment zone includes Odessa, Gibbon, Minden, Elm Creek, Amherst, Riverdale, and Axtel.
The City of Kearney Parks staff had recently completed a tree pest detector course offered by the NFS. A webinar version of this course will be offered in late July for anyone who is interested, detailing several invasive pests and what to look for. Further information will be available at nfs.unl.edu
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The tree where EAB was found showed heavy canopy decline as well as epicormic sprouting. Photo: Alan Roesler, City of Kearney.
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The EAB map for Nebraska has been updated following the Buffalo County find. Note the new 15 mile treatment zone.
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Growing degree days as of July 1st have nearly doubled in a month. This kind of rapid acceleration is expected as we move into summer. Pests such as magnolia scale may start to see crawler activity around 1900 GDD towards the end of the month for some locations.
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Asian Longhorned Beetle in South Carolina
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Asian Longhorned Beetle is a large insect with a shiny black body and white spots. Photo Credit: Donald Duerr, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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The Cottonwood Borer, also known as a skeleton beetle, is a native pest of poplars that should not be mistaken for ALB. Photo Credit: Jim Baker, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org
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Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), was recently discovered in Hollywood SC, not far from Charleston. This represents the most recent find of this highly invasive beetle, and its southern most introduction in the U.S. to date. Efforts are still underway to determine the severity of the infestation, and eradication is likely to follow in the years and possibly decades to come.
ALB is an aggressive pest that has been in North America since the 1990s, and threatens a number of native hardwood trees, especially maple. Thus far eradication efforts have been successful, but at extreme costs in both dollars and loss of urban tree canopy.
Communities are reminded to remain alert for this pest, although it is not known to occur in Nebraska at this time. Early detection is key to successful eradication, and the earlier an infestation is found, the more likely it will be successfully dealt with. This is also a reminder to follow good practices with firewood, and to "buy where you burn" as much as possible. This greatly reduces the risk of moving a yet unknown pest or infestation.
If you think you may have found ALB contact the Nebraska Forest Service, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, or the USDA APHIS-PPQ.
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Left: Exit hole caused by emerging ALB adult. Photo Credit: Dennis Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Right: Exit holes and sites where female ALB have deposited eggs. Photo Credit: Michael Bohne, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Cicada Killers are large, but actually quite harmless and look very different from many stinging wasps. Photo Credit: Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org
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Late summer marks the time when cicada killers begin to emerge and hunt for prey. Despite the name, these insects are largely harmless and are often considered "good bugs" since they prey on noisy cicadas. Due to the discovery of 'Murder Hornets" in Washington State earlier this year however, it is important to recognize the differences between these two.
Cicada killers are large and will often be seen flying around their burrows usually made in lawns in the second half of the summer. Males are extremely territorial, but only towards other members of their species. They may fly close to get a better look, but will leave you alone once they realize you're not competition. They also do not possess a stinger, so they couldn't even do much damage if they wanted to.
Females will be actively searching out cicadas to hunt to bring back as food for their future offspring. Since the prey is so large, females will often have to climb to a high point and glide to carry their oversize prize back to their nest. Females do possess the ability to sting, but almost never will unless handled extremely roughly. In most cases, it's best just to sit back and appreciate the work these oversized insects are doing to control pest populations.
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Tree Pest Detector Workshops
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The Nebraska Forest Service will be offering a series of tree pest detector workshops online in webinar format for free in late July. These workshops will focus on four different major pests threatening our trees and forests in Nebraska. Participants will learn the history and damage these pests pose, as well as how to survey for them and symptoms of infestation. Material will also cover tree ID for the associated species. Keep an eye out for this series and how to register on our website coming in the next few weeks.
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Mean temperatures for May were below average in Nebraska. While the June map has yet to be released it will show much greater above average temperatures. This quick shift in temperatures is likely to have an impact on trees.
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Hot dry temperatures in the first half of June are likely to impact trees, especially those which were still pushing out new spring growth. Additionally, abnormally cool temperatures the month before mean there was a quick temperature swing that could have put additional stress on trees.
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Drought monitoring as of June 23rd shows dry conditions persisting in the southwest, and beginning to show up in the northern panhandle as well as the northeastern part of the state. More moderate levels of drought are also showing up in the northwest panhandle and southwest corner of the state.
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Hot Winds Damaging Spruce
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New growth on spruce trees was heavily impacted by prolonged hot, dry, and windy weather. Credit: Adams County Extension
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Most of the state experienced long periods of hot dry weather coupled with high winds in the first part of June. In most cases daily highs in the mid 90s and sustained winds of at least 20mph persisted for several days. These extreme conditions seem to have damaged more sensitive tissues on some trees especially spruce shoots that were newly emerging.
Spruce trees in general have been showing new growth that is brown and dead, often somewhat distorted. It is likely that the hot dry winds led to desiccation of these new sensitive tips in the last few weeks. While this will look bad on the tree, as long as the tree is healthy otherwise it should be able to recover. Remember to water as needed as the summer progresses with 1 inch per week in clay soils and 2 inches per week in sandy soils, only if they have not received it from rain.
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New delicate growth on spruce has turned brown and appears distorted. Credit: Rachel Allison
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Compiled by David Olson, Forest Health Specialist
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