Multiple invasive insect pests are currently threatening Oregonians in our homes, in our natural areas, and on our farms. Here’s quick update about new developments for some of the high-profile pests around the state.
Japanese beetle: Washington Co. eradication progress
This year ODA trapped 4,490 Japanese beetles in total; 4,218 in the Cedar Mill area. The overall number of beetles trapped in 2020 was down 42% from 2019. There was a 58% reduction in the number of beetles trapped within our 2019 treatment boundary as a result of the 2019 granular 2020 foliar treatments, with a 67% decrease within the boundaries of the supplementary foliar treatment. - Austin Johnson, ODA
Gypsy moth: 2019 Corvallis eradication success
Following the eradication operations and applications of BtK in 2019 in Corvallis, there were no detections of gypsy moth in 2020. There were also no detections of European or Asian gypsy moths in statewide surveys in Oregon. - Ashley Toland, ODA
Spotted lanternfly: First detections in Oregon
Oregon had the first detections of spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect currently established in Pennsylvania and in a handful of counties in surrounding states. Both detections in Oregon were dead specimens reported by nurseries, with the insects coming in shipments of supplies, not on the plants themselves. ODA has a pest alert available. Watch our “five things to know“ video: https://beav.es/JqV
Brown marmorated stink bug: Still an issue, but parasitoid progressing
Although damage was reportedly down in orchard crops, BMSB is still a continuing problem, especially in hazelnuts. Research is still ongoing regarding samurai wasp impact and establishment, and ODA are ODA are planning to continue releasing and researching the parasitoid in 2021. - Nik Wiman and Rick Hilton, OSU Extension
Spotted wing drosophila: new tools available
Agrogene has began producing a new SWD report for the Pacific Northwest that monitors populations year round. Sign up here.
Gabriella Tait and Valerio Ross Staconi in the Walton Lab at Oregon State University have developed a new product called Decoy to prevent damage to crops susceptible to SWD. Find out more here.
Other new species of concern
Greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis): Greenhouse thrips is generally a greenhouse pest (hence the name) but has been observed severely damaging salal (Gaultheria shallon) and other plants along the Oregon coast in recent years. It’s feared that this pest could spread to nursery and food crops. In 2020, a large new population was detected in Newport, and it has previously been detected as far south as Brookings. - Max Ragozzino, ODA
Plum bud gall mite (Acalitus phloeocptes): This new pest was found damaging Shiro plum in the Willamette Valley in the summer of 2020. This super tiny mite causes galls which affect twig growth. People suspecting damage should report it. More here from the OSU Plant Clinic.
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This article appears in Oregon IPM Insider, Vol 2 Issue 1, Winter 2021.