Minnesota First Detectors Minnesota Forest Pest First Detector Program.

Minnesota First Detectors

Minnesota Forest Pest First Detector Program


Bronze birch borer


Role of the First Detector

Pest Reporter “Do I Have?” Checklist

First Detector

Minnesota Department of

Agriculture

Evaluate Using Guidelines

First Detector Hotline


Responsibilities of the First Detector

Follow the Guidelines for all reports.

Triage pest reports and pass to MDA if pest can’t be ruled out.

Collect samples or pictures if convenient, else pass on information for MDA to collect sample.


Report Logs

Record each report – regardless of resolution Primarily for

work done as a First Detector

MDA will collect Report Logs in December


Handling Samples

Collecting Samples Collect it yourself if convenient, else Have reporter send to MDA if possible, or Let MDA know to collect if needed

Types Wood or bark Insects Digital pictures

Handling Treat as if infested with pest – keep contained Protect from damage, elements


Handling Samples

Wood or bark Handle like it contains pest

Secure so an emerging adult could not escape Double bag w/ heavy plastic bags at minimum Keep it cool until passed on to MDA

Insects Secure in a sealable container that is crush-proof Store in a cool place (freezer) until passed on to MDA

Digital pictures Use whenever possible to expedite process Send to [email protected] as attachment


Common Reporting Situations

Insect-based Saw it, but didn’t capture it Have a specimen

Tree-based Sample within reach? Tree to be felled in future? Re-contact if situation changes

Consider phenology and host specificity when evaluating reports


Pest Phenology

J F M A M J J A S O N D

SirexImmature (under bark

or in wood)

Adult

ALBImmature (under bark

or in wood)

Adult

EAB Immature (under bark)

Adult

GM Egg mass

Larva

Pupa

Adult


Host Specificity

Type Genus Name1

Asian longhorned

beetle (ALB)2

Emerald ash borer

(EAB)

Gypsy moth (GM)3

Sirex woodwas

p4

Conifer Abies Fir No No Unlikely Unlikely

Hardwood AcerMaple, boxelder

Very good host

No Possible No

Hardwood AesculusHorse Chestnut

Very good host

No Possible No

Hardwood Alnus AlderNo data

NoPreferred

hostNo

HardwoodAmelanchier

Serviceberry

No dataNo

Preferred host

No

Partial list…


Working with the Public

If possible, have the citizen review the appropriate checklist

First Detectors do not have authority to enter private property without permission

Being a First Detector is a volunteer activity


Site Visits

Contact the owner before making a site visit. The homeowner should be present for visit. Get permission to look at the tree and/or pick

up the insect. Explain the First Detector Program. Explain what your responsibilities are. Be polite, courteous and respect property. Report back to the homeowner the results of

your findings if a decision is not made on site.


Minnesota’s First Detection

May 13 Arborist notices woodpecker damage on ash, eventually finds larvae

May 13 PM – phone call to MDA regarding find May 14 AM – MDA visits sites and collects samples May 14 PM – USDA confirms find based on digital

photos May 14 PM – Find announced at a press conference

in St Paul Infestation is one of the youngest found – estimated

3 years old from dendrochronological analysis


2009 EAB Reports

Bronze birch borer

Arrest the Pest (MDA) = 1814 calls between May 13 – December 31, 2009 116 calls during all of 2008

First Detector Hotline = 1025 calls during 2009

First Detector Referrals = 228 during 2009


2009 First Detector Experiences

Bronze birch borer

First Detector Report Logs 50 cases logged and turned in to MDA

2 were insect-based 48 were tree-based

4 were not ash (~8%) EAB ruled out by First Detector in 40 (80%) First Detector not sure on 10 (20%) MDA consulted on 5 (10%)


Bronze birch borer


2009 First Detector Survey

How many people reported suspect EAB infestations to you? 2008 - Total of 57 reports from 100 responses 2009 - Total of 300 reports from 112 responses - 79% increase

Bronze birch borer

0

80

0 1 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 15 - 20

# of people reporting to first detector

# o

f fi

rst

det

ecto

rs r

epo

rtin

g t

his

res

ult 2008 2009



Bronze birch borer

How many site visits did you make? 2008 - Total of 107 from 100 responses 2009 – Total of 309 from 112 responses – 39% increase

0

90

0 1 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 21 - 25

# of site visits

# o

f fi

rst

det

ecto

rs r

epo

rtin

g t

his

res

ult 2008 2009


2009 First Detector Survey How many people asked you general EAB questions (not suspect

reports)? 2008 – Total of 1023 questions from 100 responses 2009 – Total of 2696 questions from 112 responses – 43%

increase

Bronze birch borer

0

16

32

48

0 1 - 10 11 - 25 25 - 50 50 - 100 100 - 200

# of people asking questions

# o

f fi

rst

de

tec

tors

re

po

rtin

g t

his

re

su

lt

2008 2009



Bronze birch borer

Gypsy Moth 0 suspect reports 38 site visits 56 questions

Asian longhorned beetle 0 suspect reports 0 site visits 6 questions

Sirex woodwasp 0 suspect reports 0 site visits 2 questions



How many total hours including training + travel volunteered during 2009? 1281 hours from 112 responses – average = 11.4 / person

Bronze birch borer

0

18

36

0 1 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 20 20 - 30 30 - 40 40 - 80

# of first detectors reporting this result

# o

f h

ou

rs v

olu

nte

ered



How many miles did you travel as a first detector? 7650 miles from 112 responses – average = 69.5 / person

Bronze birch borer

0

20

40

0 1 - 10 11 - 25 26 - 50 50 - 100 100 - 250 200 - 600

# of miles driven

# o

f fi

rst

det

ecto

rs r

epo

rtin

g t

his

res

ult


2010 EAB Field Days

Thursdays, March 11 – April 15, 2010

2 formal sessions per day, AM and PM

Held at St Paul Forestry

Register today or via [email protected]


Confidentiality Form


New and Emerging Invasive Forest Pests

Plant & Disease Image Library, Bugwood.org

Curtis Utley, CSUE, Bugwood.org


Meaning of “Invasive”

Species non-native to an environment may be called: Alien, Exotic or Introduced

If they also cause harm to the economy, environment and / or human health they are called: Invasive

Native species are not called invasive even if they do cause harm

Polydrusus spp.

Steve Katovich USDA Forest Serivce

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota

Emerald ash borer

Bronze birch borer

Steve Katovich USDA Forest Serivce


Meaning of “New and Emerging”

New = not present Asian longhorned beetle

Emerging = present but not established Gypsy moth

Established = widely present Dutch elm disease


The Pests

Emerald ash borer

Gypsy moth

Asian longhorned beetle

Thousand cankers on walnut

John H. Ghent, USDA Forest Service

Curtis Utley, CSUE, Bugwood.org

Minnesota First Detectors Minnesota Forest Pest First Detector Program.

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