[APWG] Ailanthus and Spotted Lantern Fly two for the price of one

[Marc Imlay]

We have two for the price of one justification for controlling all our Tree
of Heaven.

 

First the bad news

 

Lycorma delicatula, commonly known as the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is a new
invasive insect that has spread throughout southeastern Pennsylvania since
its discovery in Berks County in 2014. SLF presents a significant threat to
Pennsylvania agriculture, including the grape, tree-fruit, hardwood and
nursery industries, which collectively are worth nearly $18 billion to the
state's economy.

https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly

 

 

Then the good news

 

Although SLF will feed on other trees and plants, all life stages strongly
prefer tree of heaven, and adult SLF seem to require a meal from these trees
prior to laying eggs. This provides an opportunity to concentrate the SLF
population on a property by performing host tree reduction. This method
involves removal or killing of most tree of heaven on an infested property
while leaving a few to serve as trap trees. 

 

Tree of Heaven Control Methods: Control of tree of heaven requires
suppression of the regenerating root system of this species. Because of
this, many tree of heaven infestations require multiple treatments to
control a population with continued monitoring for regrowth. Various methods
of treatment may have to be utilized for complete control. Establishing a
native or non-invasive groundcover may help in control of sprouts and
seedlings following herbicide treatments. Foliar sprays: A foliar spray with
a recommended herbicide is the most common control for tree of heaven. The
spray should cover the leaves and shoots that are at an attainable height.
Foliar sprays are effective for control of sprouts and suckers, and are best
if used with a surfactant to obtain better coverage and absorption into the
leaves. Optimal time for treatment with a foliar spray is June to September.
Basal bark spray: Basal bark sprays can be an effective means of control for
young tree of heaven that are less than four inches in diameter. Spray the
recommended herbicide with an oil carrier on the lower twelve to eighteen
inches of the stem, until the bark is wet, but not running off. This
treatment works well for control of smaller trees in summer and late winter,
as it chemically girdles the stem where applied. Stump treatments: Applying
a recommended herbicide to a freshly cut stump is essential to deter
sprouting and suckering. Herbicide treatment should be made immediately
after the cut so that it may be absorbed into the roots. This method works
best during the active growing season of the tree from June through
September. Hack and Squirt: Hack and squirt treatment is an effective
treatment for control of tree of heaven and is made by making a series of
downward cuts into the bark with an axe or machete. The cuts which form
small cups and are approximately chest height are made evenly around the
tree. Herbicide is then applied to each cut where it is taken up into the
tree. Hack and squirt does not girdle the stem as there is spacing between
the cuts, which allows the herbicide to be transported through the trees
conductive system. Best results occur during the June to September growing
season.

 

http://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/PlantIndustry/spotted_lanternfly/Docum
ents/Spotted%20Lanternfly%20%20Property%20Management.pdf

 

So MNCPPC, 

We have 2 for the price of 1 justification for controlling all our Tree of
Heaven.

.

Marc Imlay, PhD, Chair, MAIPC Biological control working Group Conservation
biologist, 

Park Ranger Office, Non-native Invasive Plant Control coordinator.
<mailto:Marc.Imlay at pgparks.com> Marc.Imlay at pgparks.com

(301) 442-5657 cell  Natural and Historical Resources Division The
Maryland- National  Capital Park and Planning


Commission

 

 

 

Executive Order Strengthens Fight Against Invasive Pests

Jan 2, 2018

 

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Recognizing the increasing threat invasive species pose to
Pennsylvania's economy and people, Gov. Tom Wolf last week announced an
additional step to complement recent bipartisan legislation to help battle
bad bugs and out-of-control plants.

 

Wolf signed an executive order expanding the Governor's Invasive Species
Council to bring additional expertise and resources to bear in the battle
against new invasive species, such as the spotted lanternfly, which has been
found in 13 southeastern Pennsylvania counties.

 

"When a new pest or species is introduced into an ecosystem, it disrupts the
natural order, posing a threat to native species, established industries and
the quality of life of our residents," Wolf said.

 

The council will be expanded from 10 to 14 members to pave the way for
adding representatives of county and municipal governments, conservation
districts and the transportation sector.

 

State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will continue to serve as the
council's chairman.

 

In addition to the spotted lanternfly, which could cause hundreds of
millions of dollars of losses in Pennsylvania agricultural commodities, the
state is facing other threats from species such as hydrilla, an invasive
plant affecting the state's lakes; round goby, a fish invading rivers and
the Great Lakes; and Palmer amaranth, an invasive weed threatening row
crops.

 

Wolf's new order follows his signing of the Controlled Plants and Noxious
Weeds Act in October. The new law took effect on Dec. 29.

 

Act 46 repeals the previous noxious weed law in favor of a more proactive
approach to control existing and potentially noxious weeds while maximizing
resources to control invasive species and protect state lands.

 

 

From: Don Callihan [mailto:don_ihan at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 8:27 AM
To: Marc Imlay <ialm at erols.com <mailto:ialm at erols.com> >;
invasives at listserv.umd.edu <mailto:invasives at listserv.umd.edu> 
Subject: Re: [INVASIVES] spotted lanternfly

 

While waiting for federal, state, and local agency responses, this could be
an opportunity to mobilize citizen science to detect and help us contain the
infestation. Take advantage of the relative ease of recognition of both the
pest and Ailanthus at all stages. Engage school science teachers at all
levels in teaching recognition and reporting. Engage garden clubs, friends
of parks groups, churches, neighborhood associations, and civic
organizations, as well as landscapers and nursery employees, in getting the
word out. We need as many eyeballs as possible looking for this pest and
keeping it contained. Treat it as a regional issue and coordinate among
mid-Atlantic states, not just as Pennsylvania's problem. Can MAIPC take the
lead for such an effort? Will require a concerted and well-coordinated
effort on the part of the many institutional silos among us.

 

This is a real and urgent opportunity to educate the public about the
importance of control of NNIs in protecting our forests and agricultural
assets.

 

Where can we start?

 

Don Callihan

410-961-8132

don_ihan at hotmail.com <mailto:don_ihan at hotmail.com> 

Sent from my iPad.

  _____  

2.  The solution may still be EDRR , Early Detection, Rapid Response. The
barrier is NIMBY; it is Not In My Back Yard. People take action when they
can feel it. As Kerrie said, what good is early detection without rapid
response, with WLBG a decade ago.  This barrier has been met before but only
with a strong enough effort. 

 

Editorial: A strong argument for help fighting lanternfly

Monday January 15, 2018 12:01 AM Reading Eagle, Reading, Berks County, PA

Berks County Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach must have taken a panel of
U.S. and state lawmakers aback with his strongly worded warning about the
need for swift action to eradicate the spotted lanternfly. The chairman of
the commissioners delivered his plea for federal funding in appropriately
stark terms during an appearance before a legislative forum at the
Pennsylvania Farm Show.

"We need an immediate response. If we don't get these resources to us before
the spring hatch in two months, it may be too late," Leinbach said. "The
spotted lanternfly will wipe out the grape industry, could wipe out
hardwood, and is impacting orchards."

"This is apocalyptic from an economic and environmental standpoint," he
added. "We have heard from grape growers and orchard owners: One more year
of this, and they are out of business."

Those of us who have witnessed the rapid spread of the pest over the past
few years know that the commissioner is hardly exaggerating. For a while it
was largely limited to a relatively small, rural section of eastern Berks
County. But in 2017 the pest was spotted in large numbers in much of the
region.

The spotted lanternfly is native to Asia but came to North America in a
shipment to Berks County, where it was first spotted in 2014. The pest,
which destroys grape vineyards and hardwoods and has been seen in apple
orchards, has spread to 13 southeast Pennsylvania counties.

Leinbach needed to make a strong case because of the uphill climb he's
facing. He is requesting $40 million in federal funding. Getting any money
from Washington or Harrisburg is difficult right now. Getting it in a matter
of weeks is even more challenging.

If he accomplished nothing more than putting this issue on state and
national lawmakers' radar, it will have been worth the trip to Harrisburg,
though we do urge officials to find funding right away to combat the pest
and research ways to eradicate it.

Right now the problem is largely unknown outside this region. Leinbach is
making a persuasive argument that it won't be long before it spreads to
other states unless something is done swiftly. Each year the number of
lanternflies grows, more eggs are laid, and the numbers keep multiplying.
Leinbach said the number of lanternflies is approaching 1 trillion.

"If we are not successful," the commissioner argued, "not only will
Pennsylvania face quarantines, the United States could face quarantines
because Canada, South America, Mexico and Europe are watching it."

Leinbach told the panel the plan is to prepare 40,000 trap trees in the
spring. A notch would be cut around certain trees to seep sap and attract
the insects. The trap trees would be treated with pesticide. Money is needed
to execute this plan.

But we should not be leaving the response to this problem to government
alone. Landowners need to destroy the ailanthus tree, also known as the tree
of heaven. The spotted lanternfly feeds on it before reproducing. And people
in areas that haven't seen the pest in the past should report lanternfly
sightings to state agriculture officials.

This is the year to get a handle on this program. That means a strong effort
by all levels of government in cooperation with residents in affected areas.
Leinbach's appearance in Harrisburg should push things in that direction.

 

 


 
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