[Thread] So, here's a problem that may already have a solution...! Apparently, #ElmZigZagSawfly, an invasive species, is spreading in the #Northeastern US and can defoliate #ElmTrees (which have been making a comeback from #DutchElmDisease), and has adapted to switch tree species. However, #AsianLadyBeetles, another invasive species and the natural predator of Lantern Flies (and aphids and other pests), is also spreading! I know we always have some Lady Beetles inside our house, and instead of killing them, my plan is to catch and release them outside... So they can hopefully do their thing! (And yes, we have quite a few Elm trees, descendant of a survivor tree that fell down recently, in our tree stand).

Elm Zig Zag Sawfly

"The first confirmed detection of the elm zigzag sawfly in North America occurred in August 2020 in Québec, Canada (Martel et al. 2021; https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/first-confirmed-sighting-of-a-new-invasive-in-north-america-elm-zigzag-sawfly/). Canadian authorities were unable to determine the introductory pathway or amount of time the insect had been present [Invasive Species Centre].

The Canadian population was not the only outbreak on the continent, however. Earlier the same year, the tell-tale feeding pattern – zigzags on the tree’s leaves — was observed in Frederick County, Virginia (northwestern corner of the state). Since no specimens were recovered, identification was not confirmed. A year later, specimens collected from the same confirmed the presence of EZS [David Gianino, State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO) of Virginia, pers. comm.]. Additional surveys that summer led to detections in eight additional Virginia counties [K. Oten blog].

Also in the summer of 2021, symptoms were observed in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Again, however, the absence of a specimen prevented formal identification [K. Oten blog]. In 2022, official detections were made in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and New York [NCSU extension]. The New York infestation might have spread naturally across the St. Lawrence River from the Canadian population [https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/10/03/new-pest-affecting-elm-trees-st-lawrence-county/].

In 2023, outbreaks were detected in Ohio, Vermont, and Massachusetts [NCSU extension map]. In 2024, Wisconsin found EZS in several counties [University of Wisconsin extension]. Neither the Canadian Food Inspection Agency nor the [Canadian] Invasive Species Centre reports on EZS’ more recent status in Canada."

[...]

"Since most trees can recover from sporadic or minor defoliation events, the state extension programs say control efforts are often not warranted. Furthermore, since EZS is a new pest species, little is known about effective management. Results of experimental treatments using various pesticides or biopesticides are reported from Hungary (Blank et al. 2010), Romania (Fătu et al. 2020), and Virginia [NCSU extension]. The University of Wisconsin and University of Massachusetts extension service mention several predators present in Europe. The University of Massachusetts extension service notes that the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, which preys on EZS in Serbia, is also present in Massachusetts (actually, it is widespread in the United States); its impact on elm zigzag sawfly in Massachusetts is uncertain."

Learn more:
https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/pest_pathogen/elm-zig-zag-sawfly/

#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #NaturalSolutions #Trees #NoPesticides #DontTransportFirewood #CheckYourVehicles #SaveTheTrees

#CandelariaNaturePreserve celebrates four years of restoration

"Just because a species is non-native does not make it an invasive one, and some non-native species function to support restoration."

by Emmett Di Mauro and Elijah Ritch
February 7, 2025

"On Jan. 31, the Candelaria Nature Preserve in #Albuquerque hosted a tour of its ongoing #rewilding project. The public tours are given on the last Friday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and cover the preserve’s efforts to restore the 90 acres of former farmland in the North Valley, according to the Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District website.

"Partnering with the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division, the Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District provides an annual report on some goals for the Candelaria Nature Preserve, including plans for soil health. The project is in the fourth year of its 20-year span. The 2023 report can be found on its website.

"The guided tours are led by volunteers from the Friends of the Candelaria Nature Preserve, like Ruth Salvaggio.

"'What we’re showing here is restoration,' Salvaggio said.

"One example of this restoration is the addition of logs, which were brought in to create habitat, Salvaggio said. This invites #wildlife to make use of the land again. She also said the nature preserve planted several varieties of plant life for #butterflies and created an entire field dedicated to #pollination.

"The process of rewilding at the Candelaria Nature Preserve entails “transitioning the Preserve from non-sustainable agriculture to a mosaic of habitats that will support diverse native wildlife: wet and dry areas, hedgerows, grasslands, upland #shrublands, #ConservationBuffers, and #forage for wildlife,' according to the Friends of Candelaria Nature Preserve’s website.

"Just because a species is non-native does not make it an invasive one, and some non-native species function to support restoration. The workers carefully considered the place of certain #InvasiveSpecies, such as #ElmTrees.

"'They provide a canopy for birds,' Salvaggio said. 'They’re serving a purpose.'

"However, part of the project is to prevent new elms from growing, according to Salvaggio.

"#Teff, a type of grass native to Ethiopia and similar to #millet and#quinoa, was implemented in the preserve. Teff roots are shallow and the plant dies upon releasing its seeds, meaning teff is beneficial to the soil, Salvaggio said. In this way, teff acts as a natural mulch and a '#NurseCrop' that will support native plants in the future.

"Many #NativePlants are found in the preserve, too, including #amaranth, #BlueGrama, #sacaton, #mesquite, #saltbrush and #nightshade.

"One of the destinations on the tour was the nursery, where many native plants begin their lives. Later, they are taken and planted in select areas, including the mosaics — plots designed to be flooded — Salvaggio said. Dispersed wildlife such as #Mesquitetrees and #SacatonGrass grows in these areas.

"The work takes place on plots of former farmland separated by historic #acequias. An end goal is to meld the former farm plot zones to allow for the cohesive spread of the wildlife and return the land to its pre-farmed state, Salvaggio said.

"Bringing the land to its #PreFarmed state also includes careful land #terraforming in select areas, Salvaggio said. This is meant to carve out the original, natural #arroyos of the area.

"The guided tours are currently the only way for members of the public to see the Candelaria Nature Preserve. However, anyone can volunteer at the preserve from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Monday and Friday."

https://www.dailylobo.com/article/2025/02/candelaria-nature-preserve-celebrates-four-years-of-restoration
#SolarPunkSunday #Rewilding #NewMexico #NonNativeSpecies

contrast between the winter lake tranquility and the anticipation of summer's vibrancy
#smallpoems #clmooc #poetry24 #elmtrees #lakereflections

http://sheri42.net/2024/01/06/lakeside-reflections/

A wonderful episode of the Three Things from Edmonton podcast by @kub, in which Yours Truly gets to play a minor role.

#HappyCanadaDay2023!
#Podcast
#ElmTrees #KillamPrize2023

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80OTMwZGJmMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/OWVjNTRiZmEtODQwMy00MDNmLWFkMzMtMDI5Y2I5YmM0ZTI2?ep=14