[APWG] [MPWG] introduction of predator beetles to eastern forest environments

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

----- Forwarded by Patricia De Angelis/ARL/R9/FWS/DOI on 05/31/2005 04:11
PM -----
                                                                                                                                                   
                      cafesombra at aol.com                                                                                                           
                      Sent by:                              To:      MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org                                              
                      MPWG-bounces at lists.plantconse         cc:                                                                                    
                      rvation.org                           Subject: [MPWG] introduction of predator beetles to eastern forest   environments      
                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                   
                      05/26/2005 09:42 AM                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                   




Forwarded message from PA Wildlands Recovery Project
FYI, note this report does not indicate if lab-bred predator beetles are
natives, but even if they are, how far does the precautionary principle let
us go down the road of "managed" species introductions?

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A new lab at the University of Tennessee will help
scientists combat a harmful exotic insect targeting hemlock trees in the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other areas.
Researchers at the Lindsay Young Beneficial Insects Laboratory can raise
several species of predator beetles that feed on the hemlock woolly adelgid
— a tiny insect from China and Japan. The adelgid kills hemlock trees by
sucking sap from the needles.
The lab is one of only about four of its kind in the country. Scientists
there can raise as many as 100,000 beetles a year.
Many consider the predator beetle as the best biological control for
reducing infestations of hemlock woolly adelgids, which have killed more
than 80 percent of the hemlock trees in Virginia's Shenandoah National
Park.
In Tennessee, officials say the pest is concentrated at the northern end of
the Cherokee National Forest, which covers 640,000 acres in several
counties.
``The best-case scenario is that the predator beetles will reproduce and
eventually bring the population of hemlock woolly adelgids down to a
non-damaging level,'' said Kris Johnson, supervisory forester for the
Smokies.
Hemlock trees often grow along streams and provide shade to fish and other
aquatic species that depend upon cool water in the summer. The Smokies
contain almost 90,000 acres of forest where hemlock trees are a significant
component. Some of the trees are at least 150 years old.
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