Got Nature? Blog

Posted on April 9th, 2015 in Forestry, Invasive Insects | No Comments »

​If you’re walking in the woods or maybe even traveling along a road this spring in Indiana, you may come across some trees that look like the one in the photos below. Clearly, something unusual is going on here. What made the bark change color so quickly, and why are there holes in the bark?

The answer to both of those questions for ash trees around the state is Emerald Ash Borer and woodpeckers. As Emerald Ash Borer spreads across Indiana, the population of Emerald Ash Borer larvae overwintering under the bark of ash trees can quickly increase. These grubs provide a tasty treat and important winter and early spring nutrition to hungry woodpeckers. Woodpeckers of several species are experts at detecting and extracting these grubs by pounding holes in tree bark. Ash bark is generally gray on the surface, but the inner bark is a light corky tan color. Once the woodpeckers find the EAB larvae, their excavation activities flake off the outer bark to expose the lighter colored inner bark. This is actually one of the best indicators of the presence of Emerald Ash Borer in a tree. The woodpecker activity often starts in the upper main stem and branches of ash trees, but as the population of EAB larvae in the trees increase, the woodpecker activity spreads down the trunk of the tree. Trees with this much inner bark exposed indicate an advanced infestation of EAB and signal ash tree mortality in the next year or two.

If you would like to learn more about ash trees and the Emerald Ash Borer, visit the Purdue Emerald Ash Borer website.

2015-03-10 15.20.20.jpg

2015-03-10 15.21.19.jpg

Posted on February 12th, 2015 in Forestry, Invasive Insects | No Comments »

​The Terre Haute area in Indiana is in a tree crisis. With Emerald Ash Borer and other deciding factors, 300+ trees a year will be removed. Over the next few years, this averages to approximately 24 percent of the total trees will be gone. Planning for the future with the knowledge of this loss is crucial. While the city will pay for removing the trees and tree-related projects, it is not in the city’s budget to replace the trees at this time. The city needs to apply for grants to fund replanting projects. The trees are removed due to diseases, age and when people run into them with cars. If you want to learn more about the tree crisis and the action that will be taken, you are welcome to attend the Emerald Ash Borer summit.

What: TREES Inc. Emerald Ash Borer Summit
Where: Vigo County Library, Meeting Rooms A, B and C
When: Thursday, February 12, 12-1:30 pm

Resources
Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana, Purdue Extension
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
Tree Risk Management​, The Education Store

​Got Nature?
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue University

EABThe invasive insect has made its way to its 79th county, Sullivan County. It was recently spotted in Jennings, Pike, Scott, Spencer and Warrick counties. There are only a few counties in southern Indiana that have not been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). In order to slow the spread of the EAB, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has restricted the movement of ash trees, limbs and untreated ash lumber with bark attached or any cut hardwood lumber of any species with bark attached. Visitors to DNR properties may only bring in firewood that has been certified by the USDA or DNR Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology or is free of bark. Homeowners should also be aware of this invasive species. To learn more about the EAB and what signs to look for if your tree is infected, take a look at the resources below.

Resources
Arrest That Pest! – Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana, Purdue Extension
Invasive Species, Got Nature?
Emerald Ash Borer, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana​, Purdue Extension

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Posted on November 20th, 2014 in Forestry, Invasive Insects | No Comments »

Communities that have been infested by emerald ash borers can apply for a share of a federal grant received by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This federal grant worth $100,000 will allow for communities in the Great Lakes area to take on tree-planting projects. Due to the loss of trees in the infested areas, planting trees will help replace the large amounts of trees lost by the emerald ash borer. The tree planting project will also improve water quality. Flooding due to storms can cause raw sewage to enter waterways, but trees can intercept the water to stop the flooding. A three inch tree is able to intercept around 400 gallons of water; 800 trees can intercept 320,000 gallons of water which can greatly decrease the chances of flooding. Communities that would like to apply for a share in the grant can first subscribe to the grants information listserv by visiting the Indiana DNR’s forestry site and click on the red envelope on the left side of the page.

Resources
DNR Receives Grant to Help Communities Recover From Ash Borer, Indiana DNR
Emerald Ash Borer, Purdue Extension
Emerald Ash Borer, Indiana DNR
Invasive Insects, Got Nature?
Arrest That Pest! – Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana, Purdue Extension

Carrie Tauscher, Urban Forestry Specialist
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR)

Posted on November 14th, 2014 in Forestry, Invasive Insects, Wildlife | No Comments »
Glycobius speciosus on sugar maple tree, photo by Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service

Glycobius speciosus, sugar maple borer, photo by Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service.

​Some of the most diverse taxa on the planet are rarely seen yet play critical roles within our environment. The insects found in the Order Coleoptera (beetles) are represented by over 500,000 species. Collectively, these insects provide a wide range of ecosystem services. They are important pollinators and predators on other insects, and they play essential roles in nutrient cycling. While most species are beneficial or vital for ecosystem functions, there are a few species that are considered pests.

Dr. Jeff Holland walking in forest with research team

Dr. Jeff Holland and research team studying sugar maple borer in the woods.

The Sugar Maple Borer is a native species found throughout the eastern United States. The larval stage of the beetle specializes in feeding on sugar maple trees, particularly stressed or injured trees. In this podcast, our host, Rod Williams, will be interviewing Dr. Jeff Holland about the unique distribution of this wood-boring beetle, how to survey for this species on your property and the impacts to sugar maple trees throughout the eastern deciduous forests.

To find out more information about sugar maple borers, visit:
Holland Website
Bug Guide Identification

Resources
The Education Store (Search entomology or forest)
Got Nature? Blog Posts
Got Nature? Blog Posts

Jeff Holland, Associate Professor of Spatial Ecology and Biodiversity
Department of Entomology, Purdue University

Rod Williams, Associate Professor of Wildlife Science
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

Posted on October 30th, 2014 in Forestry, Invasive Insects | No Comments »

​Emerald Ash Borer University will be providing webinars on the wood-boring pest, the Emerald Ash Borer, along with other pests and disease threats. These live sessions will allow participants to ask questions to the session presenter and moderators. The webinars will last from October to December 2014. To view the webinars, visit the Emerald Ash Borer website.

Resources
Emerald Ash Borer, Purdue Extension
Emerald Ash Borer, Indiana DNR
Invasive Species, Got Nature?
Arrest That Pest! – Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana, Purdue Extension

Cliff Sadof, Professor-Ornamental & Pest Management
Purdue Department of Entomology

​As foresters, woodland owners and tree and wildlife enthusiasts, we hear the word safety and immediately think about making sure our hard hat is packed, our gas tank is full, our cell phone is charged and we have a buddy to call in case of an emergency. How many of us think about diseases? Who thinks about West Nile Virus (WNV) or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)? For those of us that take our pets into the field, WNV and EEE are very real threats. West Nile Virus originated in Africa but spread quickly throughout the United States after an outbreak in New York in 1999. By 2003, 46 states had been infected, and nearly 10,000 people had fallen ill.

Although not contagious by contact with an infected person or animal, a protective layer is recommended when handling potential infected subjects. Most infected humans show no symptoms while a minority exhibit fevers, headaches, skin rashes, meningitis or encephalitis. Very few people die from WNV (< 1:1,000), but precautions should always be taken to prevent exposure. A total of 156 cases of WNV have been reported in Indiana this year with one sample being human. Other cases have been found in bordering states with 741 cases (mosquito) in Illinois, two mosquito and four human cases in Michigan, 64 mosquito cases in Ohio and zero cases of any kind in Kentucky as of August 20, 2013.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare viral disease that can be transmitted from host mosquitoes to a number of other animal species. Historical accounts of the disease show that in Midwestern states, EEE is most often found in southwestern Michigan; however, infected horses in Indiana have been found. EEE infects nearly all game birds, amphibians and reptiles, and last year in Michigan, an 8-week-old puppy.

Humans are not immune to EEE. Nearly 30% of people that develop the disease die, and approximately 50% of survivors have permanent neurological complications. Symptoms of infection may or may not occur and will often take between three and 10 days to be realized. EEE symptoms in humans range from fever, headache and nausea to abdominal pain, paralysis, seizures and fainting. An elderly woman in New England died on August 21, 2013, and was the first human casualty of the disease this year. A vaccine has been developed to prevent EEE in horses; however, no vaccine or treatment is available to protect humans or other animals from EEE or WNV. Elimination of standing water is our only defense against potential EEE and WNV threats.

As the summer is in full swing and more and more of us head out to the field, please do not forget to protect yourself and your pets from potential exposure to mosquitoes.

WNV map 2013.jpg EEE map.JPG

Sourced Information:
Beasley, D.W.C. et al. (2013) Resurgence of West Nile neurologic disease in the United States in 2012: What happened? What needs to be done? Antiviral Research 99:1–5.
Wendell, L.C. et al. (2013) Successful Management of Severe Neuroinvasive Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Neurocritical Care 19:111–115.
USGS Disease Maps
Van Buren County Horse Dies of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate Animals, MLIVE Media Group
Weymouth Officials Urge Caution After EEE Death, The Patriot Ledger

Resources
Mosquitoes, Purdue Extension Entomology

Shaneka Lawson, Plant Physiologist
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

Posted on April 28th, 2014 in Forestry, Invasive Insects | No Comments »

This winter was a brutal one for sure, but the emerald ash borer still has plenty of life left in it.

Although the Midwest experienced abnormally cold temperatures this winter, it is unlikely that populations of the highly destructive beetle were significantly affected by it, said Adam Witte, exotic forest pest educator in the Purdue University Department of Entomology.

“Headlines have been circulating, suggesting that EAB may have met its match,” Witte said. “But the EAB, as well as most insects in colder climates, is effective at surviving cold temperatures.”

EAB larvae overwintering within ash trees die when temperatures reach minus-28 degrees Fahrenheit below the bark, Witte said. U.S. Forest Service scientists predicting areas in North America where temperatures were cold enough to kill EAB larvae conclude that only parts of Minnesota and North Dakota historically have reached temperatures that low.

More . . .

Contacts
Adam Witte, Exotic Forest Pest Educator
Department of Entomology

Matthew Ginzel, Associate Professor
Departments of Entomology & Forestry and Natural Resources

Posted on March 19th, 2014 in Forestry, Invasive Insects | No Comments »

Don’t be fooled by the cold weather; EAB has plenty of life left.

Headlines have been circulating suggesting that EAB may “have met its match.” Although the Midwest experienced abnormally cold temperatures this winter, it is unlikely EAB populations felt these effects as significantly as your heating bill. EAB, as well as most insects in colder climates, are effective at surviving cold temperatures. One way they survive the cold is by producing an antifreeze-like substance that prevents water in their cells from crystallizing and causing damage. Also the extra insulation provided by the tree bark helps larvae withstand such cold temperatures. For EAB larvae overwintering within ash trees, death occurs when temperatures reach -28 degrees Fahrenheit.

A model produced by U.S. Forest Service scientists predicts areas in North America where temperatures were cold enough to kill EAB larvae. This model suggests that in the U.S., only northern parts of Minnesota and North Dakota have reached frigid enough temperatures to affect EAB populations.

Although some parts of the United States may have fewer adults emerging in the spring as a result of the cold temperatures, they probably won’t notice. Due to a high reproductive rate, it will likely be only a matter of time before populations rebound to previous levels.

Despite the cold weather, experts are still advising to continue with EAB management plans. One effective means of saving ash trees and reducing management costs is to partner with interested neighbors and hire a company to treat trees in your neighborhood. This collaborative approach will likely reduce transportation and consultation costs for the company, and the savings will be passed down to homeowners.

For more information on EAB, treatment options and NABB (Neighbors Against Bad Bugs), visit Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana, Purdue Extension website.

Contacts
Adam Witte, Exotic Forest Pest Educator
Department of Entomology

Matthew Ginzel, Associate Professor
Departments of Entomology & Forestry and Natural Resources

Since the Polar Vortex subsided, there has been quite a bit of buzz about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an exotic beetle that is killing ash trees across Indiana and the U.S., being killed by the multi-day sub-zero temperatures we experienced here in Indiana and elsewhere. Some recent research (the full paper can be accessed USDA Forest Service, Cold Hardiness of Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus Planipennis: A New Perspective) predicts that when EAB larvae reach 0°F, 5% will die; at -10°F, 34% will die; at -20°F, 79% will die; and at -30°F, 98% will die. Based on some -15°F temperatures here at the Purdue West Lafayette campus, we might expect around 50% of the EAB will die, but some additional points need to be considered.

Emerald Ash Borer

An adult emerald ash borer feeds off a leaf. (Purdue University Department of Entomology photo/John Obermeyer)

EAB larvae are located overwinter under the bark in infested ash trees, so the bark may offer some insulation. Snow is also an excellent insulator, so the lower trunk of ash trees in deep snow or drifts may not get as cold as ambient air temperatures. Some trees in town or near structures may remain warmer due to heat radiating or escaping from buildings. The message is, unfortunately, that the cold weather we experienced was probably not enough to solve our EAB problems.

It is good news that some of the population was probably killed by the cold weather, leaving fewer larvae to damage ash trees next spring. This will be a temporary setback for the borer, since one of the biological strengths of insects is their capacity to reproduce and grow populations quickly. Further north in places like Minnesota, the news for the ash trees may be better where temperatures below -30°F may have killed most of the larvae, providing some additional time to prepare for the EAB onslaught. Here in Indiana, we need to continue to monitor, prepare and act to limit the damage EAB will do.

Some basic steps include:

  • Don’t move firewood – Firewood can harbor EAB and several other serious tree pests and spread them to new areas.
  • Learn to identify ash trees, EAB and the symptoms of EAB damage.
  • Learn about EAB control techniques.
  • Learn how to decide if your ash tree should be treated with insecticide to protect it from EAB or removed and possibly replaced with another tree species.
  • Work with your neighbors to monitor and manage the ash trees in your area.

Purdue Extension offers science-based recommendations to help you manage the EAB threat at Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana.

Resources:
New Hope for Fighting Ash Borer, Got Nature? Purdue Extension-FNR
Invasive Pest Species: Tools for Staging and Managing EAB in the Urban Forest, Got Nature?
Emerald Ash Borer Tools & Resources – Purdue Extension Entomology
Planting Your Tree Part 1: Choosing Your Tree, Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Tree Planting Part 2: Planting a Tree, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Indiana Invasive Plant List, Indiana Invasive Species Council, Purdue Entomology
Landscape Report Shares Importance of Soil Testing, Purdue FNR Extension
Find an Arborist website, Trees are Good, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Tree Risk Management – The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

Got Nature?

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