united states forest insect and agriculture forest disease
TRANSCRIPT
Forest Insect andDisease Conditions inthe SouthwesternRegion, 2001
United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture
ForestService
SouthwesternRegion
Forestry andForest Health
R3-02-01
Printed on recycled paper • 10/2002
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Cover Photo: White-spored gall rust, a rare disease ofponderosa pine, was found in the Sandia Mountains in2001.
Insect and Disease Conditions in theSouthwestern Region, 2001
Southwestern RegionForestry and Forest Health
Regional OfficeLeonard Lucero, Director
Douglas Parker, Forest Health Assistant Director
Forest Health Zone Offices
Arizona ZoneJohn A. Anhold, Zone Leader
Roberta Fitzgibbon, EntomologistJoel McMillin, Entomologist
Mary Lou Fairweather, PathologistSteve Dudley, Biological Technician
2500 South Pine Knoll DriveFlagstaff, AZ 86001
New Mexico ZoneDebra Allen-Reid, Zone LeaderTerrence Rogers, Entomologist
David Conklin, PathologistRichard Norris, Biological Technician
333 Broadway Blvd., SEAlbuquerque, NM 87102
State Insect and Disease SpecialistsArizona: Robert Celaya
New Mexico: Robert Cain
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Conditions in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Status of Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Bark Beetles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Defoliators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Miscellaneous Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Status of Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mistletoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Root Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stem Decays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Stem Rusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Foliage Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Abiotic Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Biological Evaluations and Technical Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Other Entomology and Pathology Activities in 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Appendix: Instructions for Submitting Insect or Disease Specimens for Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
List of TablesTable 1. Prominent 2001 Forest Insect and Disease Activity in Arizona and
New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Table 2. 2001 Forest Insect Incidence in Acres by Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Table of Contents
Introduction
Insects and diseases act as both indicators andregulators of the condition or “health” ofSouthwestern forests. This report summarizes thecurrent known status of insects and diseases in theforests of Arizona and New Mexico. Most of theinsect information is based on annual aerialdetection surveys. Most of the disease information isbased on ground observations and surveys. Barkbeetles and defoliating insects cause sudden, visuallydramatic damage that is readily seen from the air,while most pathogens cause gradual, insidiousdamage that is not.
Bark beetles—the primary tree killers in the region—tend to be host specific; conversely, most treespecies are attacked almost exclusively by a singletype of bark beetle. A group of recent Douglas-fir“faders,” for example, is most often a result of attackby the Douglas-fir bark beetle, Dendroctonuspseudotsugae. Ponderosa pines, however, areattacked and killed by several different bark beetlesin the Southwest. Thus, ground surveys may beneeded to confirm the species responsible forponderosa pine mortality seen from the air. Where
ground checking is not conducted, assignment ofcausal species is based on previous history/experience for a given location.
This report also includes a record of technicalassistance provided by Arizona and New MexicoZone personnel and brief descriptions of severalspecial activities conducted in 2001. Much of theinformation for state and private lands is providedthrough our Cooperative by Bob Celaya, Forest PestSpecialist, Arizona State Land Department, and BobCain, Extension Forest Entomologist, New MexicoState University Cooperative Extension Service.
Damage detected on the newly acquired VallesCaldera National Preserve in northern New Mexicois reported here for the first time as within theNational Forest System. In previous years, damageon this 95,000-acre tract, formerly known as theBaca Ranch, was reported under the category of stateand private land.
1
For the second consecutive year, bark beetle activitydetected in the region increased greatly, with fadersreported on about 160,000 acres compared to about73,000 acres in 2000. Most of this mortality(126,000 acres) occurred in the ponderosa pine type,with the largest outbreaks on the Tonto NationalForest and San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona,and the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. Notethat much of the ponderosa pine mortality is fromattacks occurring in mid to late 2000, a result of thesevere drought that year.
Ponderosa pine mortality is reported as follows:western pine beetle (35,265 acres), mountain pinebeetle (2,270 acres), roundheaded pine beetle (3,670acres), Mexican pine beetle (485 acres), and Ipsengraver beetles (83,960 acres). In the mixed coniferand spruce-fir cover types, trees were killed byspruce beetle (6,215 acres), fir engraver and westernbalsam bark beetle (7,465 acres), and Douglas-firbeetle (3,125 acres). Piñon pine sustained heavydamage from Ips engraver beetles at many locations,with about 17,150 acres of mortality detected duringaerial surveys.
Western spruce budworm defoliation was detectedon about 472,000 acres of mixed conifer forest in2001, up considerably from about 192,000 acres theprevious year. Aspen defoliation, caused by a
variety of agents, was seen on about 50,000 acres in2001 vs. 64,000 acres in 2000. Ponderosa pineneedle miner activity dropped sharply, with onlyabout 2,700 acres detected in 2001 compared to68,000 acres in 2000.
Dwarf mistletoes continue to be the most widespreadand damaging forest pathogens in the Southwest.They cause an estimated annual volume loss of 25million cubic feet. Over one-third of the ponderosapine acreage and about one-half of the mixed coniferacreage has some level of infection. The incidenceof dwarf mistletoes changes little from year to year,but is thought to have increased over the pastcentury.
Root diseases continue to cause an estimated 5million cubic foot volume loss annually, and createhazard trees in campgrounds and along roadways.Incidence is usually higher in mixed-conifer andspruce-fir forests than in ponderosa pine forests.
The incidence of white pine blister rust continues toincrease in the Sacramento and adjoining WhiteMountains of southern New Mexico. Infected whitepines have also been found on Gallinas Peak, CibolaNational Forest, 50+ miles north of the mainoutbreak area.
Conditions in Brief
2
Bark Beetles
Western Pine BeetleDendroctonus brevicomisPrimary host: Ponderosa pine
Tree mortality attributed to this insect was detectedon 35,265 acres in 2001 vs. 30,385 acres in 2000.In Arizona, mortality was detected on the Apache-Sitgreaves (3,840 acres), Coconino (30 acres) andKaibab (15 acres) National Forests; Walnut CanyonNational Monument (5 acres); Fort Apache (365acres), Navajo (30 acres) and San Carlos (40 acres)tribal lands; and 50 acres of state and private lands.In New Mexico, activity was detected on the Cibola(2,730 acres) and Gila (27,545 acres) NationalForests; Isleta Pueblo tribal lands (475 acres); and140 acres of state and private lands.
Mountain Pine BeetleDendroctonus ponderosaePrimary host: Ponderosa pine
Tree mortality attributed to this insect increased from810 acres in 2000 to 2,270 acres in 2001. InArizona, 25 acres of mortality was detected in GrandCanyon National Park. In New Mexico, trees killedby the mountain pine beetle were detected on theCarson (1,500 acres) and Santa Fe (490 acres)National Forests; Jicarilla Apache (100 acres), PicurisPueblo (30 acres), Santa Clara Pueblo (5 acres), andTaos Pueblo (60 acres) tribal lands; and the VallesCaldera National Preserve (60 acres).
Roundheaded Pine BeetleDendroctonus adjunctusPrimary host: Ponderosa pine
Tree mortality in the region increased to 3,670 acresin 2001 compared to 2,235 acres in 2000. InArizona, mortality was recorded on 2,140 acres ofthe Coronado National Forest. In New Mexico,mortality was detected on the Lincoln NationalForest (690 acres) and Mescalero Apache tribal lands(840 acres).
Status of Insects
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
Mountain Pine Beetle Activity in Arizonaand New Mexico
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
Western Pine Beetle Activity inArizona and New Mexico
Roundheaded Pine Beetle Activity in Arizonaand New Mexico
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
esA
cres
Acr
es
Acr
es
3
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Ips BeetlesIps spp.Primary hosts: Ponderosa pine, Piñon pine
Ponderosa pine mortality attributed to Ips beetles wasdetected on 83,960 acres in 2001, compared to 11,965acres in 2000. In Arizona, mortality was reported onthe Apache-Sitgreaves (755 acres), Coconino (315acres), Kaibab (35 acres), Prescott (8,090 acres) andTonto (23,605 acres) National Forests; Grand CanyonNational Park (5 acres); BLM lands (100 acres); FortApache (6,705 acres), Navajo (75 acres) and SanCarlos (25,335 acres) tribal lands; and 895 acres ofstate and private lands. In New Mexico, mortality wasdetected on the Carson (275 acres), Cibola (1,640acres), Gila (11,705 acres), Lincoln (1,370 acres), andSanta Fe (680 acres) National Forests; Jicarilla Apachetribal lands (295 acres); and state and private lands(2,080 acres). Much of the mortality detected in 2001is thought to be due to attacks that occurred in mid tolate 2000, a result of the severe drought that year.
Piñon pine mortality caused by Ips beetles wasdetected on about 17,150 acres in 2001 compared to2,075 acres in 2000; however, these figuresunderestimate regional mortality since not all thewoodland type is covered during aerial surveys. InArizona, activity was recorded on the Apache-Sitgreaves (10 acres), Coconino (3,350 acres) andKaibab (470 acres) National Forests; 2,300 acres ofBLM land; and Fort Apache (60 acres) and Navajo (5acres) tribal lands. Approximately 11,000 acres ofpiñon mortality were detected on state and privatelands in New Mexico. The most serious outbreakscontinue to be in Catron County, with other notableoutbreaks near Santa Fe and in the Ojo Caliente area.Twig beetles have caused mortality of small diameterpiñons in many of these areas.
Ips Beetle Activity in Ponderosa Pine inArizona and New Mexico
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
Douglas-fir BeetleDendroctonus pseudotsugaeHost: Douglas-fir
Tree mortality detected in the region increased from1,815 acres in 2000 to 3,125 acres in 2001. InArizona, mortality was recorded on the Apache-Sitgreaves (150 acres) and Coconino (1,965 acres)National Forests. In New Mexico, mortality wasdetected on the Carson (75 acres), Cibola (100acres), Gila (180 acres), Lincoln (15 acres), and SantaFe (405 acres) National Forests; Jicarilla Apache (50acres), Mescalero Apache (65 acres) and Santa ClaraPueblo (45 acres) tribal lands; and Valles CalderaNational Preserve (75 acres).
Spruce BeetleDendroctonus rufipennisHost: Spruce
Tree mortality increased slightly from 5,990 acres in2000 to 6,215 acres in 2001. In Arizona, sprucebeetle mortality occurred on the Apache-Sitgreaves(10 acres) and Coronado (630) National Forests;Navajo tribal lands (55 acres), and 5 acres of statelands. In New Mexico, spruce beetle-related treemortality was detected on the Carson (1,230 acres),Cibola (135 acres), Lincoln (745 acres), and Santa Fe(2,515 acres) National Forests; Taos Pueblo triballands (360 acres); Valles Caldera National Preserve(20 acres); and 510 acres of state and private lands.
Douglas-fir Beetle Activity in Arizona andNew Mexico
Acr
es
Acr
es
4
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
True Fir BeetlesFir Engraver Beetle, Scolytus ventralisWestern balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confususHosts: White and Subalpine/Corkbark fir
Tree mortality in the region increased somewhat in2001 to 7,465 acres vs. 6,150 acres in 2000. InArizona, fir mortality was recorded on the Apache-Sitgreaves (1,445 acres), Coconino (4,265 acres),Kaibab (80 acres), and Tonto (10 acres) NationalForests; Grand Canyon National Park (125 acres);and Fort Apache tribal lands (5 acres). In NewMexico, fir mortality was reported on the Carson(200 acres), Cibola (335 acres), Gila (50 acres),Lincoln (15 acres), and Santa Fe (560 acres) NationalForests; Jicarilla Apache (100 acres), MescaleroApache (80 acres), and Santa Clara (5 acres) triballands; and 190 acres of state and private lands.
Mexican Pine BeetleDendroctonus mexicanusHosts: Pines
Mexican pine beetle was found on the CoronadoNational Forest in late 2000, the first record of itsoccurrence in the United States. Tree mortality wasdetected on 485 acres in this area in 2001. See also“Activities” section in this report.
Defoliators
Western Spruce BudwormChoristoneura occidentalisHost: True firs, Douglas-fir, Spruce
Western spruce budworm defoliation more thandoubled region-wide, increasing from 192,220 acresin 2000 to 472,100 acres in 2001. In Arizona,defoliation was recorded on the Apache-Sitgreaves(70 acres) and Kaibab (9,515 acres) National Forests;Grand Canyon National Park (40 acres); and Navajotribal lands (4,540 acres). In New Mexico, budwormdefoliation was detected on the Carson (290,610acres), Cibola (5,750 acres), Gila (4,860 acres),Lincoln (1,420 acres), and Santa Fe (55,415 acres)National Forests; Jicarilla Apache (3,135 acres),Mescalero Apache (30 acres), Picuris Pueblo (45acres), and Taos Pueblo (9,285 acres) tribal lands;Valles Caldera National Preserve (12,550 acres); andapproximately 74,835 acres of state and privatelands.
Spruce Beetle Activity in Arizona and New Mexico
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
Fir Engraver and Western Balsam Bark BeetleActivity in Arizona and New Mexico
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
es
Western Spruce Budworm Activity in Arizonaand New Mexico
Acr
es
Acr
es
Acr
es
5
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Douglas-fir Tussock MothOrgyia pseudotsugataHosts: White fir, Douglas-fir,Spruce
A small outbreak detected in theSacramento Mountains in 2000expanded in 2001, causing visibledefoliation on 810 acres of theLincoln National Forest and 15acres of Mescalero Apache triballands. While this insect has been achronic problem on urbanornamentals in New Mexico formore than 30 years, this is the firstreportable acreage of forestdefoliation in the region since1979.
Nepytia janetaeHost: Spruce and true firs
No defoliation from this insect was detected in 2001.However, tree mortality attributed to previousdefoliation was recorded on 1,475 acres in Arizona.This occurred on the Apache-Sitgreaves NationalForests (290 acres) and Fort Apache tribal lands(1,185 acres).
Spruce AphidElatobium abietinumHost: Spruce
No defoliation from this insect was detected in 2001.However, tree mortality resulting from defoliation in2000 was recorded on 46,550 acres in Arizona. Thisoccurred on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests(10,305 acres), Fort Apache tribal lands (36,230acres), and 15 acres of state and private lands. Nospruce aphid activity was observed in New Mexico.
Ponderosa Pine Needle MinerColeotechnites ponderosae
No needle miner was detected in Arizona in 2001,following 2 years of extensive activity. In NewMexico, the chronic outbreak in the eastern foothillsof the Sangre de Cristo Mountains declined from over12,000 acres in 2000 to around 2,700 acres in 2001.
Piñon Needle ScaleMatsucoccus acalyptus
Scale continues to affect piñon at several locations inthe woodlands of Arizona and New Mexico.Outbreaks of this insect tend to be chronic, but varyin intensity from year to year. The only activitydetected during aerial surveys in 2001 was on theMagdalena Ranger District, Cibola National Forest(4,820 acres). Damage to landscape piñonscontinues to be common statewide in New Mexico.
Aspen Defoliation:Western Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma californicumLarge Aspen Tortrix, Choristoneura conflictanaBlack Leaf Spot, Marssonina populiWeather-related damage
Aspen defoliation, caused by the above combinationof insects, disease, and abiotic factors, declinedregion-wide in 2001 to about 49,990 acres, from63,515 acres the previous year. In Arizona, it wasrecorded on the Apache-Sitgreaves (14,150 acres),Coconino (2,100 acres), Kaibab (11,525 acres), andTonto (10 acres) National Forests; Fort Apache(6,965 acres) and Navajo (3,220 acres) tribal lands;Grand Canyon National Park (910 acres); BLM land(15 acres); and 300 acres of state and private land.In New Mexico, defoliation was detected on theCarson (640 acres), Cibola (385 acres), Gila (270acres), Lincoln (165 acres), and Santa Fe (3,515acres) National Forests; Santa Clara Pueblo (50acres); Valles Caldera National Preserve (505 acres);and about 5,265 acres of state and private lands.
Douglas-fir tussock moth defoliation in the Sacramento Mountains nearCloudcroft, NM.
6
Miscellaneous Insects
New ReportsA twig beetle tentatively identified as the walnut twigbeetle, Pityophthorus juglandis, killed mature andvaluable landscape black walnut trees plantedthroughout the Española Valley in New Mexico.Drought conditions were likely responsible for theoutbreak.
A new pest on boxelders, the boxelder leaf miner,Caloptilia negundella, defoliated trees for severalmiles along the Pecos River in Rowe, New Mexico.
Status ReportsBagworms (Thyriodopteryx spp.) continue to be aproblem in the Albuquerque area on junipers,cypress, and several hardwood trees.
Bull pine sawfly (Zadiprion townsendii) continued tocause minor defoliation of ponderosa pine in severalchronically infested areas around Santa Fe. Thiswinter-feeding insect has been observed periodicallyon several lower elevation ponderosa pine sitesaround New Mexico.
Elm leaf beetles (Xanthogaleruca luteola) continuedat high levels throughout New Mexico in 2001.
Smaller European elm bark beetle (Scolytusmultistriatus) continued to cause mortality indrought-stressed Siberian elms in eastern NewMexico, and to a lesser extent, statewide.
Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) continued to becommon in New Mexico on landscape and lowerriparian hardwoods, especially elms, mulberries,cottonwoods, and hybrid poplars. Activity alsocontinued for the fourth consecutive year aroundPayson, Arizona.
Genista caterpillars (Uresiphita reversalis) againcaused defoliation on Texas mountain laurel andbrooms in Las Cruces area landscapes.
Juniper bark beetle (Phloesinus sp.) activity wasobserved near Payson, Arizona.
Nantucket pine tip moth (Rhyaciona frustrana),western pine tip moth (R. bushnelli), and otherRhyaciona species continued to damage landscapepines, especially ponderosa pine, in New Mexico.
Oak twig girdler (Oncideres quercus) activity wasdetected on scrub oak in the Payson, Pine, andPrescott areas.
Piñon needle miner (Coleotechnites edulicola)remained at detectable levels in the Santa Fe area,but was much less damaging in 2001 than in 2000.
Prescott scale (Matsucoccus vexillorum) was noted atseveral locations in northern New Mexico in 2001.
Tiger moth (Halisidota sp.) caterpillars were commonin forests and woodlands of New Mexico onponderosa pine, piñon pine, and Douglas-fir.
Aspen Defoliation in Arizona and New Mexico
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Acr
esA
cres
7
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Year
Dwarf MistletoesArceuthobium spp.Hosts: most conifers, especially pines and Douglas-fir
Dwarf mistletoes are the most widespread anddamaging forest pathogens (disease-causingorganisms) in the Southwest. There are eight speciesin the region, each with a different primary tree host.Three species—those affecting ponderosa pine,piñon pine, and Douglas-fir—are found throughoutmost of the ranges of their hosts, while the otherspecies have more limited distributions. Regionally,over one-third of the ponderosa pine type and up toone-half the mixed conifer type have some level ofinfection.
Dwarf mistletoes are considered to be pathogens oftrees because of their damaging effects—growthreduction, distortion (i.e. witches’ brooms), anddecreased longevity. Essentially, they re-allocategrowth to infected portions of the tree at the expenseof the rest of the tree. Severe infection can kill treesdirectly or predispose them to other agents,especially bark beetles. Regionwide, dwarfmistletoes cause an estimated 25 million cubic footloss in timber production annually. On the otherhand, as a natural part of the forest, dwarf mistletoesdo have an ecological role and benefit some species.
On both the stand and landscape level, thedistribution of dwarf mistletoes is usually patchy,with more or less discrete infection centerssurrounded by areas without the disease. Infectioncenters expand very slowly, and overall incidencechanges little from year to year. Thus, infestation isbest described as a chronic situation rather than anoutbreak or epidemic. However, because of firesuppression and selective cutting, the overallincidence of dwarf mistletoes has probably increasedover the past century.
True MistletoesPhoradendron spp.Hosts: Junipers; various hardwoods
Several species of true mistletoe occur in theSouthwest. They are common in piñon-juniperwoodlands throughout the region, and are locallyabundant in lower riparian areas and desertshrublands. Heavy infection contributes toward hostmortality, especially during periods of drought.
Root DiseasesRoot diseases are associated with roughly one-thirdof the conifer mortality in the region each year.
They kill some trees outright and are often associatedwith bark beetle attack. They can also predisposetrees to windthrow, an obvious concern in heavily-used areas. Root diseases are generally morecommon in mixed conifer and spruce-fir forests thanin ponderosa pine forests. Like mistletoes, theincidence of root diseases changes little from year toyear.
Armillaria Root DiseaseArmillaria spp.Hosts: most conifers, aspen
Armillaria is the most common root disease in theSouthwest, and may account for up to 80 percent ofthe root disease mortality in the region. Recentsurveys on the North Kaibab Ranger District foundthe fungus in about 30 percent of the standing livetrees. In addition to causing disease, the fungus is acommon decayer of dead woody material (asaprophyte).
Annosus Root DiseaseHeterobasidion annosumHosts: most conifers
Annosus root disease is probably the second mostcommon root disease in the Southwest. It is foundmost often on true firs, although most conifers aresusceptible. Like Armillaria, Heterobasidion is acommon decayer of dead woody material as well asa pathogen.
Other common root diseases in the Southwestinclude Schweinitzii root/butt rot, Phaeolusschweinitzii, often found on older Douglas-fir andoccassionally ponderosa pine; Tomentosus root/butt rot, Inonotus tomentosus, on spruce; andGanoderma butt rot, Ganoderma applanatum, foundin many aspen stands. Black Stain root disease,Leptographium wageneri, appears to be rare in theSouthwest.
Status of Diseases
8
Stem DecaysStem decays are common in older trees throughoutthe region. Decay represents an economic loss interms of timber production, and can increase hazardon developed sites. On the other hand, decayedtrees provide important habitat for some wildlifespecies, particularly cavity nesters. The mostcommon stem decays in the Southwest include redrot, Dichomitus squalens, of ponderosa pine; redring rot, Phellinus pini, affecting most conifers; rust-red stringy rot, Echinodontium tinctium, on white fir;and aspen trunk rot, Phellinus tremulae.
Aspen Stem CankersThe soft, living bark of aspen is highly susceptible tocanker-causing fungi. One or more of these diseasesare common in most aspen stands. The mostcommon include sooty bark canker, Encoeliapruinosa; black canker, Ceratocystis fimbriata;Cryptosphaeria canker, Cryptosphaeria populina;and Cytospora canker, Cytospora chrysosperma.Cankers are one of the main reasons that aspen is arelatively short-lived tree.
Stem Rusts
White Pine Blister RustCronartium ribicolaHost: Southwestern white pine
This very damaging, non-native disease occursthroughout most of the range of its host in theSacramento and adjoining White Mountains ofsouthern New Mexico. It appears to have arrived inthis area by the early 1970’s, but was not detecteduntil 1990. Blister rust has since spread to thenearby Capitan Mountains and Gallinas Peak,located about 50 miles north of the Capitans. Thedisease has not yet been detected in northern NewMexico or in Arizona.
Within the outbreak area, moist mixed-conifer standsabove 8000’ typically have more blister rust thandrier, lower elevation stands.
Broom RustsMelampsorella caryophyllacearumHost: true firs
Chrysomyxa arctostaphyliHost: spruces
Broom rusts are found at low levels throughout muchof the ranges of their hosts in the Southwest. Highconcentrations of fir broom rust occur in the SandiaMountains of New Mexico and a few other locations.The disease is often quite noticeable, althoughdamage is usually minimal. Occasionally, fallingbrooms or stem breakage at the point of infectionpresent a hazard.
Limb RustCronartium arizonicumHost: Ponderosa pine
This disease is fairly common in portions of Arizona,and can be quite damaging to individual trees. Thefungus causes progressive branch mortality, usuallyfrom the center of the crown. Waves of newinfection typically occur at intervals of several years.
Comandra Blister RustCronartium comandraeHost: Pines
This disease has caused branch dieback andmortality on non-native Eldarica/Afghan pine in thePrescott, Payson, and Sedona areas. It occasionallyinfects ponderosa pines in this area, but has causedminimal damage.
Western Gall RustPeridermium (Endocronartium) harknessiiHost: Pines
This disease, more common in other parts of theWest, is occasionally found on ponderosa pine in theSouthwest. An unusual white-spored variety of thefungus was found in the Sandia Mountains in 2001.(Western gall rust, like other tree rusts, usually haveorange or rust-colored spores.) White-spored gallrust is also known from the Chiricahua Mountains ofArizona.
9
Foliage Diseases(see also Aspen Defoliation in Insect section)
Ponderosa Pine Needle CastLophodermella cerina and other species
Discoloration and/or defoliation of ponderosa pineattributed to needle cast fungi and was detectedduring aerial surveys on about 455 acres of Federallands in 2001 vs. 2,175 acres in 2000. All of thisactivity occurred in New Mexico, with about 190acres on the Santa Fe National Forest and 265 acreson Jicarilla Apache tribal lands. About 1,320 acresof private land in northern Colfax County were alsoaffected.
Lophodermella appears to be the most common ofseveral fungi that cause needle cast of ponderosapine in the Southwest. Needle miner (an insect) anddrought stress can produce symptoms very similar tothose of needle cast. It can be difficult to determinethe actual cause of discolored foliage during aerialsurveys; assessments from the ground are oftenneeded. The acreages reported here are usuallybased on limited ground checking and pastexperience.
Abiotic Damage
DroughtDiscoloration of ponderosa pine attributed todrought occurred on about 7,215 acres in 2001. InArizona, this occurred on the Coconino (3,874 acres)and Prescott (33 acres) National Forests, and on 187acres of private land. About 3,120 acres of state andprivate lands were affected in northern New Mexico.
Frost DamageA hard freeze in late June 2001 damaged newly-emerging foliage in many parts of the Southwest.Gambel oak and New Mexico locust were especiallyaffected. Minor damage to conifers was observed inscattered locations throughout the region.
10
Table 1. Prominent 2001 Forest Insect and Disease Activity in Arizona and New Mexico
National Tribal Other State &Agent State Forest Lands Federal Private Total
Western pine beetle AZ 3,885 435 5 50 4,375NM 30,275 475 0 140 30,890
Mountain pine beetle AZ 0 0 25 0 25NM 2,050 195 0 0 2,245
Roundheaded pine beetle AZ 2,140 0 0 0 2,140NM 690 840 0 0 1,530
Ips beetles (ponderosa pine) AZ 32,800 32,115 105 895 65,915NM 15,670 295 0 2,080 18,045
Ips beetles (piñon pine) AZ 3,830 65 2,300 0 6,195NM ** ** ** 10,960 10,960
Douglas-fir beetle AZ 2,115 0 0 0 2,115NM 850 160 0 0 1,010
Spruce beetle AZ 640 55 0 5 700NM 4,645 360 0 510 5,515
True fir beetles AZ 5,800 5 125 0 5,930NM 1,160 185 0 190 1,535
Western spruce budworm AZ 9,585 4,540 40 0 14,165NM 370,605 12,495 0 74,835 457,935
Ponderosa pine needle miner AZ 0 0 0 0 0NM 5 0 0 2,725 2,730
Ponderosa pine needle cast AZ 0 0 0 0 0NM 190 265 0 1,320 1,775
Aspen defoliation AZ 27,785 10,185 925 300 39,195NM 5,480 50 0 5,265 10,795
Root disease AZ 219,000 ** ** ** 219,000NM 860,000 ** ** ** 860,000
Dwarf mistletoes AZ 1,174,000 674,000 ** 25,000 1,873,000NM 1,144,000 348,000 ** 581,000 2,073,000
** Significant activity observed/known, but acreage not determined.
11
Tabl
e 2.
Reg
ion
3 20
01 F
ores
t In
sect
Inc
iden
ce b
y Si
te (
in a
cres
).
Apac
he-S
itgre
aves
NF
3,84
075
510
150
101,
445
6,21
070
14,1
5014
,220
Coco
nino
NF
3031
53,
350
1,96
54,
265
9,92
52,
100
2,10
0Co
rona
do N
F2,
140
630
2,77
00
Kaib
ab N
F15
035
470
8060
09,
515
11,5
2521
,040
Pres
cott
NF
8,09
08,
090
0To
nto
NF
23,6
0510
23,6
1510
10G
rand
Can
yon
NP
255
125
155
4091
095
0Ca
nyon
de
Chel
ly N
M0
0Ch
irica
hua
NM
00
Sagu
aro
NM
00
Wal
nut C
anyo
n N
M5
5BL
M10
02,
300
2,40
015
15Fo
rt Ap
ache
Trib
al36
56,
705
605
7,13
5H
uala
pai T
ribal
06,
965
6,96
5N
avaj
o Tr
ibal
3075
555
165
4,54
03,
220
7,76
0Sa
n Ca
rlos T
ribal
4025
,335
25,3
750
Stat
e &
Priv
ate
5089
55
950
300
300
AZ T
otal
4,37
525
2,14
065
,915
6,19
52,
115
700
5,93
087
,395
14,1
650
00
39,1
9553
,360
Carso
n N
F1,
500
275
751,
230
200
3,28
029
0,61
064
029
1,25
0Ci
bola
NF
2,73
01,
640
100
135
335
4,94
05,
750
4,82
038
510
,955
Gila
NF
27,5
4511
,705
180
5039
,480
4,86
027
05,
130
Linc
oln
NF
690
1,37
015
745
152,
835
1,42
081
016
52,
395
Sant
a Fe
NF
490
680
405
2,51
556
04,
650
55,4
155
3,51
558
,935
Valle
s Cal
dera
NP
6075
2015
512
,550
505
13,0
55Jic
arill
a Tr
ibal
100
295
5010
054
53,
135
3,13
5M
ecal
ero
Apac
he T
ribal
840
6580
985
3015
45Pi
curis
Pue
blo
Trib
al30
3045
45Sa
nta
Clar
a Pu
eblo
Trib
al5
455
5550
50Ta
os P
uebl
o Tr
ibal
6036
042
09,
285
9,28
5Isl
eta
Pueb
lo T
ribal
475
475
0St
ate
& Pr
ivat
e14
02,
080
10,9
6051
019
013
,880
74,8
352,
725
5,26
582
,825
NM
Tot
al30
,890
2,24
51,
530
18,0
4510
,960
1,01
05,
515
1,53
571
,730
457,
935
825
2,73
04,
820
10,7
9547
7,10
5
R3 T
otal
35,2
652,
270
3,67
083
,960
17,1
553,
125
6,21
57,
465
159,
125
472,
100
825
2,73
04,
820
49,9
9053
0,46
5
Wes
tern
Pine
Beet
le
Mou
ntain
Pine
Beet
le
Roun
d-he
aded
Pine
Beet
lePo
nder
osa
Ips
Piño
nIp
sDo
uglas
-fir
Beet
leSp
ruce
Beet
leTr
ue F
irBe
etles
Bark
Beet
leTo
tals
Wes
tern
Spru
ceBu
dwor
m
Doug
las-
firTu
ssock
Mot
h
Pond
eros
aNe
edle
Min
er
Piño
nNe
edle
Scale
Aspe
nDe
folia
tion
Defo
liatio
nTo
tal
12
Our staff is “on call” to provide information on forestinsect and disease activity, including input forresource planning and management activities. Weprovide this information to the Forest Service andother land management agencies. The followingletters/reports document much of this work done in2001.
Arizona Zone1. Bark beetle infestations in the Chiricahua
Mountains, Douglas Ranger District, CoronadoNational Forest. 1/01.
2. Insect and disease activity at Oak CreekCampground, Sedona Ranger District, CoconinoNational Forest. 8/01.
3. Hazard tree evaluation at Sierra Blanca, Alpine,Arizona. 8/01.
4. Spruce beetle in recreation sites on thePinaleños, Safford Ranger District, CoronadoNational Forest. 9/01.
5. Southwestern dwarf mistletoe of ponderosa pinein the Huffer stand improvement project area,Long Valley Ranger District, Coconino NationalForest. 10/01.
6. Spruce beetle at Snowbowl Ski Area, PeaksRanger District, Coconino National Forest. 10/01.
7. Biological evaluation of FY 2002 proposed MalayGap dwarf mistletoe suppression project, SanCarlos Reservation. 10/01.
8. Biological evaluation of the FY 2002 Corn CreekPlateau dwarf mistletoe suppression project,White Mountain Apache Reservation. 11/01.
9. Biological evaluation of the Horton-2 dwarfmistletoe suppression project, Alpine RangerDistrict, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. 11/01.
10. Bark beetle activity in Cave SpringsCampground, Sedona Ranger District, CoconinoNational Forest. 11/01.
11. Bark beetle activity in Summer HavenHomeowners Association, Arizona State LandDepartment. 12/21.
New Mexico Zone1. Forest insect activity in the Cerro Grande burn
area, Santa Fe National Forest and Los AlamosNational Laboratory. 4/01.
2. Historical overview of insect activity for the RedRiver Watershed assessment, Carson NationalForest. 5/01.
3. Examination of tree conditions at the Cree andScott Able Fire salvage areas, Smokey Bear andSacramento Ranger Districts, Lincoln NationalForest. 6/01.
4. Prescott scale damage, Coyote Ranger District,Santa Fe National Forest. 7/01.
5. Douglas-fir tussock moth monitoring activities,Sacramento Ranger District, Lincoln NationalForest. 8/01.
6. Hazard tree survey at Bandelier NationalMonument. 8/01.
7. Piñon pine mortality in Santa Clara Canyon, SantaClara Pueblo. 10/01.
8. Proposed FY 2002 Cabin Finger dwarf mistletoecontrol project, Jicarilla Apache IndianReservation. 10/01.
9. Proposed FY 2002 forest health projects,Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. 10/01.
10. Proposed FY 2002 Parish Tank and Felipitothinning projects, Tres Piedras and El Rito RangerDistricts, Carson National Forest. 11/01.
11. Proposed FY 2002 Borrego Mesa and Santa FeWatershed thinning projects, Espanola RangerDistrict, Santa Fe National Forest. 11/01.
12. Proposed FY 2002 Curtis Canyon thinning project,Sacramento Ranger District, Lincoln NationalForest. 11/01.
13. Effects of prescribed fire on dwarf mistletoeinfection, Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe NationalForest. 12/01.
14. Douglas-fir tussock moth pheromone trappingresults, Sacramento Ranger District, LincolnNational Forest, and Mescalero Apache IndianReservation. 12/01.
15. Douglas-fir tussock moth pheromone trappingresults, Sandia Ranger District, Cibola NationalForest. 12/01.
16. Forest health issues in developed and special userecreation sites on the Carson, Santa Fe, andLincoln National Forests. 12/01.
Biological Evaluations andTechnical Assistance
13
Conklin, D. A.; Armstrong, W.A. 2001. Effects ofthree prescribed fires on dwarf mistletoeinfection in Southwestern ponderosa pine.USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, R3-01-02. 17 p.
Coyle, D. R., J. D. McMillin, R. B. Hall & E. R. Hart.2001. Cottonwood leaf beetle (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) larval performance on eightPopulus clones. Environmental Entomology 30:748-756.
Dymerski, A.D., J.A. Anhold, and A.S. Munson.2001. Spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis)outbreak in englemann spruce (Piceaengelmannii) in Central Utah, 1986-1998.Western North American Naturalist 61(1), pp 19-24.
Karsky, D., H. Thistle, and J. Anhold. 2001.Demonstration of aerial spray aircraft navigationsystems in deep mountain valleys. Tech. Tip0134-2336-MTDC. Missoula, MT:USDA ForestService Missoula Technology and DevelopmentCenter. 6p.
Negron, J.F., J.A. Anhold, and A.S. Munson. 2001.Within-stand distribution of tree mortality causedby the Douglas-fir beetle (Coleoptera:Scolytidae). Environ. Entomol., 30(2): 215-224.
Niwa, C G., R. E. Sandquist & 19 others. 2001.Invertebrates of the Columbia River basinassessment area. (T M. Quigley, Ed.) InteriorColumbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project:Scientific Assessment. USDA Forest ServiceGeneral Technical Report PNW-GTR-512,Portland, OR. 74 p.
Publications
14
Insect and Disease Management WorkshopsWe periodically offer 2 to 3-day workshops on forestinsect and disease identification, biology andmanagement. These sessions are attended by ForestService, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and National ParkService personnel; as well as by Tribal resourcemanagers and employees from other Federal and stateagencies. In the spring, we usually offer a workshopfor recreation managers and their staffs thatemphasizes hazard tree management. In the fall, weusually offer a workshop that covers the entire forestecosystem. We also offer more informal training onrequest, particularly for field crews.
Southern Pine Beetle/Mexican Pine BeetleMonitoring in the Chiricahua Mountains ofSouthern ArizonaIn 2000, 11,705 acres of tree mortality caused bysouthern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, wasrecorded in the Chiricahua Mountains of SouthernArizona. Based on a destructive sampling survey, itwas determined that the trees were initially infested byIps spp. Southern pine beetle then attacked and killedthe Ips infested trees. By December of 2000, a fewMexican pine beetles, Dendroctonus mexicanus werefound in infested trees along with southern pine beetle.A line of four Lindgren funnel traps, two baited withfrontalure and two baited with a 3 componentexperimental lure for western pine beetle, wereestablished in Pinery Canyon in April 2001 to monitorthe populations. Trap contents are checked weekly todetermine what beetles are actively flying at that time.Periodically infested trees are destructively sampled todetermine infesting beetle species at different heightson the bole. Insects from the funnel traps and from thedestructively sampled trees are sent to the SouthernResearch Station with a sub sample sent to DartmouthCollege. Beetles are checked for phoretic mites andmites are checked for mycangial fungi. Both trappingand sampling indicated that the population of southernpine beetles has decreased while the population ofMexican Pine Beetle has increased. The phoreticmites infesting both species are being studied at theSouthern Research Station by John Moser and KierKlepzig. The mycangial fungi are being studied atDartmouth by Richard Hoffstettler.
Contact Bobbe Fitzgibbon for additional information.
Spruce Aphid/Nepytia janetae impact plotson Mt. Graham, in the White Mountains andother locations with host type within ArizonaThe exotic spruce aphid, Elatobium abietinum,caused spruce mortality at varying levels on 46,548acres in Arizona in both spruce-fir and mixed coniferstands. The looper, Nepytia janetae, had previouslydefoliated high elevation spruce and fir trees. In2001, several pockets of tree mortality, totaling1,472 acres, occurred in stands defoliated during thewinters of 97-98 and 98-99 by Nepytia janetae.Impact plots have been established for bothdefoliators. Plots are monitored annually for currentdefoliation, tree mortality, bark beetle activity, andimpact to regeneration size classes. Temperature ismonitored in several areas to determine trendsassociated with local weather conditions. Datacollected is being used to determine the impact ofthese two defoliators, key factors that triggeroutbreaks, and the biology of the insects. This is acooperative venture between Forest Health and AnnLynch of the Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Contact Bobbe Fitzgibbon for additional information.
The role of wildland fire and subsequentinsect attack on ponderosa pine mortalityThis project will define the impact caused by insectswhen interacting with another disturbance agent,wildfire. This will allow us to more accurately assistland managers in predicting potential tree mortalityin post-fire situations. Currently, there is littleinformation regarding fire/insect impact inponderosa pine ecosystems. For example, writtenand visual guidelines are lacking for field personnelto determine what tree will live or die in the nearfuture in relation to the amount of damage caused byfire or the probability of injured trees being killed byinsects. Furthermore, the probability of fire-damaged trees providing the source of an insectoutbreak that subsequently spreads to uninjuredtrees has not been rigorously examined. This projectwill address the lack of adequate information byformulating models and creating visual guides and,therefore, permit land managers to make moreinformed decisions regarding salvaging and insectcontrol. This information will also be useful in thedevelopment of prescriptions for prescribed burning.This 3-year, multi-regional (Regions 1, 2 and 3)study is examining fires that occurred in 2000. In2001 we established plots in 4 National Forests:
Other Entomology andPathology Activities in 2001
15
Black Hills in South Dakota, Custer in Montana,Arapaho-Roosevelt in Colorado and Kaibab/Coconino in Arizona. In each area, we sampled1500+ trees in burned areas and 500 trees inunburned areas. For each tree, we measured height,dbh, pre-fire live crown ratio, percent crown scorch,percent crown consumption, percent scorched basalcircumference, scorch height on the bole, and insectpresence. In addition, we collected 4 phloemsamples from each of 200+ additional trees in eacharea to quantify the relationship between exteriorsigns of fire-caused damage and cambium damage.Tree mortality will be monitored for 3 years postburn. Our goal is to provide land managers withquantitatively based guidelines for assessing potentialtree mortality following wildland burns.
Contact Joel McMillin for additional information.
Surveying for White Pine Blister Rust inArizonaThe search for white pine blister rust in Arizonacontinued in 2001, with emphasis on the southernsky islands. In early May, a team of rust experts fromacross the West helped survey the Pinaleño,Chiricahua and Santa Rita Mountains. Fortunately,no diseased pines were found, but some highelevation sites in the Chiricahua and Pinalenos weredetermined to be at risk due to the close proximity ofwhite pines and ribes. The Santa Rita Mountains areconsidered immune since ribes, the alternative host,is absent.
Contact Mary Lou Fairweather for additionalinformation.
White Pine Blister Rust Resistance WorkWith assistance from Sacramento Ranger Districtpersonnel, we relocated and marked 80 southwesternwhite pine “resistant candidates” on the LincolnNational Forest. These trees had originally beenselected in 1995 in an area heavily infected withblister rust. Cones were later collected from 17 ofthese trees and sent to the Institute of Forest Genetics(IFG) in Placerville, California and the Dorena TreeImprovement Center in Cottage Grove, Oregon forgenetic testing. Initial testing at IFG in 1998 hadindicated that low levels of genetic resistance doexist within the local population. Testing of theseadditional trees should provide a better
understanding of resistance and help us predict thelong-term impacts of this disease in the Southwest.Eventually, we may be able to use the results todevelop resistant planting stock and/or to encouragenatural regeneration of resistant parent trees.
Contact Dave Conklin for additional information.
Effects of Prescribed Fire on Dwarf MistletoeWe are continuing to monitor the effects ofprescribed fire (underburns) on dwarf mistletoeinfection in ponderosa pine. In 2001,remeasurements were conducted on a set of plotslocated in the San Juan Mesa burn area on the JemezRanger District, Santa Fe National Forest. This areawas burned in 1998, resulting in an average crown(needle) scorch of 55 percent on our sample trees.Mistletoe infection levels (DMR’s) were reduced oneach of three plots, with an average reduction ofabout 0.6. A reduction of this magnitude, althoughnot dramatic, represents several years of standgrowth before the mistletoe returns to its pre-burnlevel. Similar reductions had been measured in olderprescribe-burned areas on the Espanola RangerDistrict. In 2001, we also remeasured plots in two ofthese older burns to track the post-burnintensification of dwarf mistletoe.
Contact Dave Conklin for additional information.
Visit Us On-lineIn an effort to better serve the internet user, wecontinue to expand our on-line information base.The Arizona Zone Office maintains a website hostedby the Northern Arizona University School ofEcosystem Science and Management at http://www.for.nau.edu/usfs/r3_fpm. The Forest ServiceSouthwestern Region hosts the Forestry & ForestHealth website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/resources/forestry/index.html with links to the New Mexico andArizona Zones. Technical information posted onthese sites includes annual Forest Insect and DiseaseConditions reports, literature on pest biology andmanagement, and general information on the foresttypes of the Southwest. Administrative informationincludes roles, activities, and organizational staffing.Additionally, our Forest Health Protection nationaloffice maintains a website at http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/ which includes program overviews aswell as excellent publication links.
16
Instructions for Submitting Insectand Disease Specimens forIdentificationBoth Zone offices are equipped to receive forestinsect or disease specimens submitted from the fieldfor identification. Specimens may be shipped to theappropriate Zone office as listed on the title page ofthis report. The following procedures for collectingand shipping specimens should be used:
Collecting:1. Adequate material should be collected.
2. Adequate information should be recorded,including:
a. location of collection,
b. when collected,
c. who collected the specimen,
d. host description (species, age, condition,etc.),
e. area description (forest type, siteconditions, etc.), and
f. unusual conditions (frost, poor drainage,etc.).
3. Personal opinion of the cause of the problemmay be helpful.
Appendix
Packing:1. Larvae and other soft-bodied insects should be
shipped in small screw-top vials or bottlescontaining at least 70 percent isopropyl(rubbing) alcohol. Make sure bottles are wellsealed.
2. Pupae and hard-bodied insects may be shippedeither in alcohol or in small boxes. Specimensshould be placed between layers of tissue paperin the boxes. Pack carefully and make surethere is little movement of material within thebox. Do not pack insects in cotton.
3. Needle or foliage diseases: Do not ship inplastic bags as condensation can become aproblem. Use a paper bag or wrap innewspaper. Pack carefully and make sure thereis little movement within the box.
4. Mushrooms and conks: Do not ship in plasticbags. Either pack and ship immediately or air-dry and pack. To pack, wrap specimens innewspaper and pack into a shipping box withmore newspaper. If on wood, include some ofthe decayed wood.
17