All: The following is forwarded from the Del. River Invasive Plant Partnership bulletin:
The USDA Forest Service and Indiana DNR are in the second year of a survey for the European wood wasp Sirex noctilio in the vicinity of Bloomington, Indiana. One specimen of the wasp was discovered in a warehouse during the summer of 2002. The source of these specimens was infested wood cratesfrom Spain. The detection survey uses trap trees and trap logs. The survey in
2003 found no Sirex. Officials expect to continue the survey in 2005 - to be sure.The woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, and the associated pathogenic fungus, Amylostereum areolatum, are native to Eurasia and North Africa; they have already been introduced widely -- in New Zealand, Australia, and South America. This insect-disease complex would threaten any pine trees in the "lower 48" states, especially Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) and loblolly pine (P. taeda), as plantations of these species growing in foreign countries have been damaged. The insect is commonly intercepted by APHIS inspectors.
Meanwhile, APHIS has asked White Flower Farm to recall the "rustic twig tower" -- a 5-foot arbor constructed of hardwood twigs and vines - that it was offering in its catalog. The importer has also been asked to be sure any future imports are pest-free and to inform APHIS about whether other retailers are selling the trellis. This recall is necessitated by the finding of live larvae of Lamiinae and Callidiellum (longhorn beetle species) (and perhaps other species) in the wooden garden art. The towers are imported from China. Longhorn beetles in these families feed on hardwood and coniferous trees, respectively.
People who bought the trellis/tower should inform their state department of agriculture.__________________________