Latest news with #invasivepest
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania watch out: Spotted lanternflies get their wings
(WHTM) — It's been a calm summer, but soon they'll be flying in your face. The invasive spotted lanternfly inhabits all but ten of Pennsylvania's counties. The polka-dotted planthoppers began hatching in May and June, and come July they will get their wings. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The species has spent the last few months as immature nymphs. Spotted lanternflies have four nymph stages known as instar phases, according to Cornell Integrated Pest Management. During this time, they can only hop or crawl, and they are often mistaken for other insects. As the adult stage begins in late July, the spotted lanternfly will develop its distinct red wings with black polka dots. They will remain in this stage until their deaths in December, though not before mating in August. The invasive species is native to Asia. However, the first sighting of the pest in the United States was in 2014 in Berks County. It poses a serious risk to agriculture in PA, feeding on grapes and fruit trees. Anyone who spots the spotted pest should squash it and scrape any eggs found on trees, vehicles, playgrounds or other outdoor surfaces. World Snake Day: Many, sometimes venomous, snakes call Pennsylvania home Officials said it's especially important to ensure spotted lanternflies are not on trucks, firewood or plants being transported across the state. If you see a spotted lanternfly, officials ask you to report it online or call 1-888-4BADFLY. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBC
13-07-2025
- Science
- CBC
This tree-killing beetle revealed its presence in B.C. when it flew into the wrong person
The tiny beetle could scarcely have picked a worse human to fly into. Amateur entomologist Andrew Short was sitting on a bench in downtown Vancouver in June 2023 when the unfamiliar metallic green beetle hit him and fell to the ground. He said he "needed to know what it was," so he captured it, took it home to photograph, and later handed it over to authorities — who confirmed the insect to be the first emerald ash borer collected in Canada west of Manitoba. Short's fortuitous encounter set in motion a chain reaction of research aimed at understanding and clamping down on the pest that has devastated ash forests across North America, killing millions of trees in Canada and the United States. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. So, if that's what some people consider fate, then I guess it was," he said in an interview. Short makes a hobby of searching for insects and plants, examining how they interact and photographing them. "I'm quite versed in invasive species and what they can do, but I certainly hadn't considered for a moment that I'd ever have a run-in with an emerald ash borer," he said. "It's kind of a strange feeling to realize that you've found something that's that important." Nearby park infested A study published this spring in the peer-reviewed journal BioInvasions Records describes Short's role in the beetle's discovery in Vancouver, and subsequent findings that included "heavily infested" trees in Andy Livingstone Park, about 300 metres from the site of his encounter near B.C. Place stadium. The study suggests emerald ash borers, which are native to East Asia, were likely first present in the downtown Vancouver park "no later than 2020." Lead author Chris MacQuarrie, a forest entomologist with Natural Resources Canada, said Short was "the best person" for the beetle to have run into, even if not from the beetle's perspective. "There are lots of green beetles and people think they've found it and they turn it in and we're really happy when it's not (an emerald ash borer). But this time, it was." WATCH | Montreal forest infested by emerald ash borer: Montreal forest decimated by beetles set to lose 1,000 trees 9 months ago Duration 1:59 MacQuarrie said it's "really rare" to find an adult emerald ash borer, which measures up to about 1.4 centimetres. He said the discovery in Vancouver represents a "big jump" from pre-existing infestations in Canada and the United States. MacQuarrie said Short had the "presence of mind" to capture the beetle, which he tucked into a makeshift container using material in his backpack, then took it home to photograph before enlisting the help of another hobbyist entomologist to identify it. All they could conclude, Short said, was that it "was something that shouldn't have been here." Short submitted a suspected invasive species report along with photographs of the beetle to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. He eventually met with someone from the agency and handed over the bug, which he had frozen. After the agency confirmed Short's beetle was an ash borer, MacQuarrie said he and other researchers met in Vancouver last year to investigate. They set traps and took samples from trees near the bench. While the traps did not capture any adult ash borers, branch samples yielded 19 larvae. MacQuarrie said the closest infestation in Canada is in Winnipeg, though there is another population in Oregon. Beetles fly under the radar The researchers could not determine how the beetle was introduced to Vancouver, although the pest is commonly dispersed via infested wood. An infested tree found in nearby Burnaby last year suggests the beetles in Vancouver could be an "extension" of an older infestation that went undetected, the study says. The beetles often go undetected for years in new places, with sick or dead trees usually the first sign of infestation. The findings in Vancouver suggest there may be other undetected populations in western North America, the study says. Short's discovery has given researchers the opportunity to study the beetle's behaviour in Vancouver. It grows faster in warmer conditions, and researchers "don't really know" how fast it may kill trees in Vancouver's maritime climate, MacQuarrie said. Early detection allows for mitigation measures such as insecticides, removing infected trees, diversifying the tree canopy and educating the public, he said. The Vancouver finding has sparked interest elsewhere, MacQuarrie added, with a British forestry researcher starting work with Canadian counterparts to examine how the beetle is behaving in European ash species in the city. Short said some people think his bug-catching hobby is "weird." But it's calming, he said, slowing down and focusing on what is right in front of you. "You don't have to look far to find really cool things."
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Warning over common garden product as destructive threat spreads across Aussie city
Keen gardeners in one Aussie state are being warned to think twice before buying and using wood mulch on their yards. The word of caution comes amid the outbreak of a destructive pest that is infesting thousands of trees throughout Perth. The invasive beetle, known as the polyphagous shot-hole borer, digs deep into tree trunks, spreading fungal disease and eventually killing its host. It has triggered a major biosecurity response in Western Australia, with a quarantine zone set up around Perth's metropolitan area. Bob Hunter, chairman of the Western Australian Horticultural Council, urged residents to take care before spreading wood mulch in their gardens. 'Only use it if you know, A - where it's come from and B - if it's been made safe,' Mr Hunter told Yahoo News. He said mulch from unreliable or unknown sources posed the greatest risk. 'The ones that are not safe are the ones that you get from some source that you don't know — and that's either a communal pile or from a tree lopper who's dumping off a load,' he said. 'If you don't know it's safe, I would recommend it wasn't used.' Mr Hunter added that there's no risk for those with a home mulcher. If it is necessary to purchase wood mulch, opt for one that has been heat-treated and cut to the recommended 2.5cm diameter or smaller. While his property hasn't been impacted by the borer yet, Mr Hunter said "just about every tree' in his yard is high on the host list. The state has identified the box elder maple, the black locust and the coral tree as its highest risk host trees. Find the full list of host trees here. The shot-hole borer has taken a serious toll on Perth's already struggling urban canopy. Thousands of trees have been removed across the city, including at some of the state's most iconic locations — Kings Park, Perth Zoo, and even Rottnest Island. There's concern that the insect may have made it to Rottnest by hitching a ride in contaminated mulch, although this theory is yet to be confirmed. Once a tree is infected, there is little chance of recovery. The insect creates networks of tunnels inside trunks and branches while cultivating a fungal symbiont as a food source for themselves and their larvae. The fungus disrupts the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually leading to its death. 😳 Driver slammed for 'outright stupid' dog act risking $592 fine 🌊 Devastating change taking place at Australia's 'best beach': '20 million of them' 🚘 Incredible discovery hidden beneath major Aussie tourist highway Three weeks ago, WA biosecurity officials announced it was no longer possible to wipe out the shot-hole borer from the city. Instead, the government determined it will transition to managing the pest rather than eradication strategies. The Invasive Species Council slammed the move, saying it could put the rest of the nation at risk. "This is tragic news not just for Western Australia, but potentially for native trees, towns and cities, and the horticultural industry across the entire country," Dr Carol Booth, the Invasive Species Council's policy director, said. A quarantine zone remains in place across much of the Perth metropolitan area in an attempt to stop the borer from spreading. Under the restrictions, movement of any host material within the restricted area is discouraged, while the movement of any host material from the quarantine area to outside areas is prohibited. The quarantine zone covers 30 LGAs across 6400km², but biosecurity experts believe it's only a matter of time until the pest breaks through quarantine lines and spreads throughout the state. Some councils have begun trialling ways to contain or treat infestations. In the City of Canning, a pilot treatment was initially hailed as a possible success, however Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley urged caution. 'I'm aware of the media reports that have been generated from the City of Canning, but despite significant global research, no chemical treatments have been found to be effective in eradicating shot hole borer and its symbiotic fungus anywhere in the world,' Beazley told WAtoday. Yahoo News contacted the City of Canning regarding the success of its treatment trial but did not receive a response before the time of publication. If you suspect a shot-hole borer infestation on your property, contact the DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080, or by email at padis@ Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie council's innovative idea to combat invasive pest taking down city's trees
An Aussie council believes it has found a way to fight back against an invasive pest that is infecting and destroying trees across the city. In most cases, when the bug is found, there is nothing that can be done other than to chop off affected limbs or cut down the tree. Native to Southeast Asia, the polyphagous shot-hole borer was first found in Fremantle, WA, in 2021 — confusing experts on how it got into the country and sparking fears the destructive beetles could wipe out forests and agricultural crops. The issue has since escalated rapidly, with entire sections of greater Perth put into quarantine in September last year as authorities scrambled to thwart the tiny critter. In November, the City of Canning, which overseas the southeastern suburbs of the Western Australian capital city, urged residents to help in the fight by keeping an eye out for the pest, especially if they had a particular list of trees in their garden. Earlier this year, the council began a state-first trial by pioneering a new technique to thwart the invasive pest. The council has been injecting infected trees with small pills filled with fungicide and insecticide in a bid to kill of the pest and restore tree health. And the early data is very promising. "The City is continuing its trial of chemical treatment of Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) at Bicentennial Adenia Reserve to gather further data supporting the current findings," the city's mayor Patrick Hall told Yahoo News on Friday. "Following a recent inspection from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) representatives a reduction in the number of live beetles and active fungus in borer galleries has been confirmed." Entire Aussie city quarantined as bug threat spreads Harvey Norman bed discovered riddled with invasive species from China New predatory bug species uses 'tool' to assassinate prey According to Hall, every local government in WA "is under threat" from the species. While the City of Canning is confident the early signs from the trial could put them on path to some sort of panacea, the results are still being reviewed by the council's academic partners "for validity". "While not a complete solution to PSHB, this trial is part of the City of Canning's commitment to sustainable urban forest management and is a key step in an integrated pest management approach, combining tree health initiatives, pruning, and innovative control methods," Hall said in a statement to Yahoo. The council will release further information as additional trial data is reviewed. Speaking to Nine News Perth this month, John Szymanski from BioHerbicides Australia, which is helping carry out the field work in the trial, explained the simple idea. "I thought hang on, it's an insect, it's a fungus, why can't we put an insecticide and a fungicide in the capsule, and put it in the tree? "It's the difference between keeping a tree alive, and just removing it," he said. The council wants state government endorsement and funding to conduct further trials and hopes the treatment ultimately means fewer trees will have to be cut down and the door opened to potential eradication. If so, it's a technique the council says could be used in other parts of Australia where the pest has caused trouble. Meanwhile residents in WA are urged to keep doing their part and remain vigilant for the bugs. If anyone discovers tiny holes the size of a ball point pen in clusters, they are urged to report the suspected infestation to DPIRD. Affected trees can "quickly become public safety hazards and a constant source of beetles that can disperse to neighbouring trees, causing spread," the department's website says. Originally from southeast Asia, the tiny creatures have now invaded several countries including the United States and Israel. One of the worst impacted countries is South Africa where it's estimated to have caused $28 billion in damage. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Dogs are being trained to weed out eggs of invasive spotted lanternflies in US
The spotted lanternfly, a leaf-hopping invasive pest first detected in the US a decade ago, has steadily spread across the East coast and into the midwest with little getting in its way. But now researchers are deploying a new weapon to slow it's advance: specially trained dogs with the ability to sniff out the winged insect's eggs before they hatch. Harmless to humans, spotted lanternflies can damage trees and fruit crops, and feed on the sap of over 70 different species of host plants. Since late last year, four of the dogs have been scouring parks in the Cleveland area in search of egg masses hidden around trees, shrubs, park benches, landscape rocks and bridge pillars. Each egg mass can produce 30 to 50 spotted lanternflies. So far, the dogs have uncovered more than 4,000 of the masses, meaning they've helped eradicate as many as 200,000 of the sap-sucking bugs that damage grapes, fruit trees, hops and hardwoods, said Connie Hausman, senior conservation science manager at Cleveland Metroparks. In just a few hours in April, the dogs found about 1,100 egg masses at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Hausman said. However, not just any dog can go out searching, she said. 'They all have wonderful noses, but they're not all eligible,' she said. 'They had to pass tests to prove their service.' The dogs were trained through a research project led by a group at Virginia Tech University, which is setting out to slow the spread of the insects that are native to eastern Asia and recognizable for their distinctive black spots and bright red wing markings. A grant from the US Department of Agriculture facilitated the project, unofficially called the Canine Citizen Science Study. Professors at Virginia Tech partnered with researchers at Texas Tech University to call on dog owners to put their pets to work. The four dogs working in Cleveland owned by local residents already had scent training before they worked with Virginia Tech to hone their noses to detect the spotted lanternflies. Once they spot a new mass of eggs, the dogs get a treat from their handlers who scrape away the mud-like masses. Female spotted lanternflies typically start to lay their eggs in late August through November, or until the first frost. While the adults freeze to death in the winter, their egg masses can survive. Spotted lanternflies can lay their eggs on a variety of surfaces, including tree trunks, telephone poles, rocks and the undercarriage of vehicles. Flint, a border collie, was trained to sniff out the offending bugs by owner and trainer Sally Dickinson, who attends Virginia Tech. Dickinson took Flint out to Virginia Tech's agricultural center to test out his sniffing skills. As Flint showed off his impressive olfactory capabilities, Dickinson encouraged dog owners to train their dogs to help eradicate the pests, no matter the breed. 'There is plenty of research out there that indicates that all dogs can smell,' she said. 'Maybe the 'smooshy'-nosed dogs aren't as good in the really hot weather to work for five hours straight, but they can definitely do it.' Virginia Tech News contributed reporting
