Northeastern forest pest reporter

Historic, Archive Document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

United States C^iparf^p^^Agriculture
^^^^^^^Jortheaster fi Finest Experiment Station

Forest Service

Ho. 2

August 10, 1957

Weather, as usual, is a confounding factor in the forest insect and
disease situation this year. In some areas — southern New England, for
example — the long drought in June and July has aggravated the injury to
trees "by pests. Elsewhere — northern New England, for example — rainfall
has been quite adequate and the growing season in general a very good one.

The different weather patterns have "been favorable in some cases for the
development and survival of important insect and disease pests, and extremely
unfavorable in others. The wide divergence in weather conditions, precipita-
tion, particularly, in the different portions of the region may result in an
unusually difficult job of evaluation and prediction.

FOREST INSECTS

SPRUCE BUDWORM (Choristoneura fumiferana) The area of infestation in
northern Maine has contracted somewhat in the southerly portion. Defoli-
ation was light to negligible in most of Washington, Penobscot, and Hancock
Counties and in Aroostook County south of Moulton. The infestation around
Lambert Lake and Vanceboro, which appears to be continuous with the New
Brunswick infestation, is still of moderate intensity, however. Higher
populations and more severe defoliation occurred in the generally-infested
area in northeastern Maine. The area of heaviest attack is about the same
as in 1956, extending from the Pish River chain of Lakes south and south-
westward to Squapan Lake and the Aroostook River. First classified as
medium defoliation by aerial survey, much of this area was shown by ground
survey to contain heavy feeding. The bud worm egg mass survey in Maine was
started on July 23 and will take about 3 weeks to complete. Light popula-
tions of spruce budworm were found in Coos County, New Hampshire, during
a survey conducted June 25-27. The budworm reported earlier infesting
Virginia pine in Pennsylvania has been identified by a specialist at the
TJ.S. National Museum as Choristoneura fumiferana. This is an interesting
find.

PINE SAW? LIES Time and cost figures for the Virginia pine sawfly

aerial survey in Maryland, reported in the last issue of the North-
eastern Forest Pest Reporter, may he of interest here. The total area
covered was about 1,494,000 acres; flying time totalled 16 hours; cost
(including summarization of the data) was $375., or 25j£ per 1000 acres.

The airplanes used on this survey were a Cessna 195 and a Piper PA-18A.

A heavy infestation of the red-headed pine sawfly, Neodlprion lecontei ,
in a 50-acre red pine planting in Saratoga County, New York, was sprayed
with DDT with good results. Other scattered infestation in Saratoga
County were treated also.

SHOOT AND TIP MOTHS European pine shootmoth (Rhyacionia huo liana) again
abundant in southern Connecticut and New York, northern New Jersey, and
Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In West Virginia populations
were reported as medium to heavy in 12 counties, heaviest in the Northern
Panhandle. A statewide survey of damage to young red pines in Pennsyl-
vania is planned for late August. Nantucket pine tipmoth (R. frustrana)
continuing at a damaging level in Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia.
Light infestations of R. rigidana reported in West Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania. The leaders of planted Scotch pines near Khauers, Pennsylvania,
have been injured by a tip borer, Eucosma sp., probably sonomana.

PINE TORTOISE SCALE (Toumeyella numlsmaticum) The Malathion spray
applications against the crawler stage of this insect at Beltsville,
Maryland, and the Shawnee State Park, Pennsylvania, in mid- May have
been reported as very successful. In Mineral County, West Virginia,
heavy infestations were causing serious injury and some mortality of
Virginia pines, but these populations were practically eliminated by
predators by June 26. Predators were found very abundant in the
Beltsville area also. In the latter area, a second generation hatched
about July 10.

PINE SPITTLEBUG (Aphrophora parallela) Heavy on white and Scotch pines
in Essex County, New York. A small Scotch pine plantation was sprayed
with Methoxychlor , good control reported. Severe infestations this year
in Pennsylvania have caused much concern to Christmas tree growers.. The
Saratoga spittlebug (A. saratogensis) is prevalent in Venango, Warren,
McKean, Crawford, Clearfield, and Erie Counties, Pennsylvania. Adults
observed on loblolly pine at Petersburg, Delaware, about July 1.

MISCELLANEOUS INSECTS ON CONIFERS Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemetae-
formis) very abundant on numerous coniferous and deciduous tree species
in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, light in West Virginia. Small
infestations of Ips reported on red pine from various locations in New
York. The bark beetles Ortho tomic us caelatus and Pityogenes hopkinsi
delivered a coup-de-grace to some white pines in Thatcher Park, New York -
the trees had been much weakened by drought and mechanical injury by
picnickers. A pine chafer (Anomala oblivia) was found attacking new
foliage of Virginia pine near Bedford, Pennsylvania. Light to medium
twig feeding on white pine over 4 acres by Glyptoscelis pubescens

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occurred, at Parker Dam, Pennsylvania, the first week of July. The larch
sawfly (Pristiphora erichsonii) severely defoliated a Japanese larch
planting "between Renovo and Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The undescribed
species of Matsncoccas reported on white pine in New Hampshire in 1956
was much more sparse this year. The associated fungus, Septobasidium
pinicola, is particularly common in dense stands, however.

SADDLED PROMINENT (Heterocampa guttivitta) Heavy infestation in
Merrimack County, New Hampshire, declined this year. Early instar
larvae were found in moderate numbers on June 27, "but last instar larvae
were scarce on July 30 with considerable evidence of parasitism present.

No evidence of this insect in eastern Rensselaer County, New York, where
it has caused defoliation for 4 years. One persistent spot on the
Massachusetts-New York line was aerially sprayed in June by the State of
Massachusetts, operation apparently successful.

CANKERWORMS An outbreak of cankerworm has been reported on Long Island;
the exact extent of this has not been determined. Infestations in Massa-
chusetts generally lighter than expected, with the exception of a serious
build-up of spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata) on Martha’s Vineyard
which may require control measures in 1958.

GYPSY MOTH (Porthetria dispar) Completion of the 1957 cooperative
Federal-State eradication program in the Northeast was reported in the
last issue. Spraying under State contracts was completed on 105,820
acres in Pennsylvania; 200,000 acres in New York; 53,874 acres in Connec-
ticut; 120,000 acres in Massachusetts; 16,300 acres in Rhode Island; 100
acres in New Hampshire (Coop. Econ. Ins. Rept. 7(20): 582). An area of
20 acres was heavily defoliated, 3 miles northwest of White Haven, Penn-
sylvania. This spot was outside the 1957 control area; larvae, pupae,
and adults were present on July 5. The aerial spraying program in
Massachusetts was the smallest in 10 years — one spot undiscovered in
time for spraying is now being used for pupal collection. Present trap-
ping indicates an increase in populations in Plymouth County. The infes-
tation in New Hampshire is reported at the lowest ebb in several years —
severe winter temperatures and a late May frost considered important in
reducing populations.

MAPLE LEAF CUTTER ( Paraclemensia acerifoliella) Continuing as a serious
problem in Vermont. Scattered, small infestation reported in northwestern
Massachusetts.

MI S CE LIANEOUS INSECTS ON HARDWOODS The locust leaf miner (Chalepus
dorsalis) causing noticeable browning and defoliation throughout New
Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania —
adults flying in York, Pennsylvania area in mid-July. Satin moth
(Stilpnotia salicis) reported at scattered locations in New York —

75$ defoliation on small areas in Essex County. The locust borer
(Megacyllene robiniae) is causing severe damage to black locust in many
locations in West Virginia. Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) nests

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conspicuous on various tree species throughout most states in the region,
light infestations only in Vest Virginia. Oak leaf miners (Cameraria sp.)
reported prevalent in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vest Virginia.
The oak leaf skeletonizer (Bucculatrix ainsliella) prevalent in eastern
Massachusetts. Forest tent cate rp i liar '"( Malac'o s oma disstria) detected in
large numbers in Randolph, Vehster, and Nicholas Counties and lesser num-
bers in Mineral and Hampshire Counties, Vest Virginia. The oecophorid
(Psilocorsis faginella) has caused up to 30$ defoliation of "beech trees
in the vicinity of Newark, Delaware, The hackberry psyllid (Pachypsylla sp.)
has caused conspicuous injury to hackberry foliage in Pennsylvania and Rhode
Island.

FOREST DISEASES

BLISTER RUST OF WHITE PINE (Cronartium riblcola) West Virginia reports
a majority of areas now on maintenance. Pennsylvania and Maine both report
heavy Ribes infection with defoliation resulting this year. This confirms
earlier indications of heavy Ribes infection noted in the previous issue of
the Northeastern Forest Pest Reporter. There are no reports of what effect
the widespread 1957 drought may have on infection of pines.

NEEDLE RUST (Coleosporium solidaginis) Vest Virginia reports the rust
from seven red pine plantations. See previous issue of the "Pest Reporter".

MISCELLANEOUS RUSTS Massachusetts reports Gy mno sporangium clavariaef orme
on Juniperus communis from Montague, and G. clavipes on the same host from
Falmouth. Other Gymno sporangium sp. occurred on J. communis and J. virginiana
from Monson and Whately, Massachusetts. The sudden wet weather during May
apparently brought the cedar-apple rust (G. juniperi-virginianae) fruiting
bodies out simultaneously over wide areas and more than usual to the atten-
tion of the public.

ASH LEAF RUST (Puccinia sparganioides = P. peridermiospora) Maine,
Massachusetts, and New Hampshire all report little damage from ash leaf rust
this season. It is believed drought conditions suppressed the usually
severe infections on ash in their respective coastal areas.

NEEDLE DISEASES (Adelopus gatlmanni and Rhabdocline pseudo tsugae) continue
to fruit abundantly on Douglas-fir needles in Vermont, and probably else-
where .

ROOT ROT (Fomes anno sus ) This has been reported on red pine from the Fox

Forest, Hillsboro, New Hampshire, So far as is known, this is the first
time F. annosus has been reported from New Hampshire, although records in
New Haven show that Dr. Perley Spaulding collected the fungus from white
pine near Peterboro in May, 1930. This collection was probably not formally
reported. F. annosus infecting red pine, reported from New York in the pre-
vious issue of the Pest Reporter, has been confirmed.

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ANTHRACNOSE (Gloeosporium spp.) Massachasetta reports that early season
rains stimulated development of anthracnose diseases on several tree species,
until the mid- summer drought slowed the progress of the leaf diseases. A
Gloeosporium occurred on Fagus sylvatica purpurea from Great Barrington, on
Acer sp. from Southhridge, on linden from North Scituate, on Quercus alba
from Whately and Northampton. An anthracnose also followed frost injury on
Abies balsamea in Greenfield, Salix babyloniea in Great Barrington, Quercus
alba in West Springfield, Acer sac char um in Monson, and Crataegus sp. in
Longmeadow. Pennsylvania reports anthracnose of red oak caused about 95$
defoliation and infections of second leaves and twigs in the vicinity of
North Springfield; also, that several years’ infections of sugar maple by
anthracnose, tar spot, etc., are suspected of resulting in a dieback con-
dition of maples in the Wellsboro area. Anthracnose was prevalent and more
or less limited to this species in Clarion and Jefferson Counties, according
to another Pennsylvania reporter.

NECTRIA CANKERS (Nectria sp.) Massachusetts reports Nectria on maples
from East Lynn and Brookfield. West Virginia reports heavy cankering on
black walnut and the destruction of one 2-year-old plantation in Tucker
County.

CYTOSFORA CANKERS (Cytospora sp.) New Hampshire reports Cytospora canker
of native red spruce less frequent than in previous years. Massachusetts
reports small willows (Sal lx sp.) and large mature spruce (Picea abies)
killed by trunk cankers in Amherst and Agawam, respectively. Branches of
Picea sp. were killed back in Milton, Longmeadow, and West Springfield;
of Acer sac char um in Russell; of Picea abies in Plainfield; of Moras sp.
in South Deerfield; and of Pinas strobus in Northampton.

BIACK KNOT (Dibotzyon morbosum) Fresh infections are reported on Pranas
sp. from Florence, Massachusetts.

WOOD ROTS West Virginia reports sterile conks of Poria obllqua on yellow
birch in several eastern counties; also, from Panther Knob, Pendleton County
at 4500 feet elevation. Massachusetts reports the death of Acer saccharum
from Fomes applanatas with Cytospora and Stegano sporium sp. fruiting abun-
dantly on dead twigs; also, Acer saccharum, A. rubrum and Qaercas sp. killed
by Ar miliaria mellea; also, Polyporas cinnabarinus on wild cherry.

VERTICILLIUM WILT. Is reported more common this season than last by Massa-
chusetts personnel. New Hampshire reports Verticillium as being one of the
causes of the maple dieback complex.

OAK WILT (Ceratocystis fagacearum) West Virginia reports oak wilt from
five additional counties, or in 44 out of the 55 counties in the State.

The number of processed trees is about the same as during 1956, but field
crews do not have as heavy a backlog of unchecked sites. Aerial surveying
time has been more than doubled this year.

Fusicoccum castaneum was reported on twigs of Castanea mollissima from
Williamstown, Massachusetts.

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BLEEDING- CANKER (Phytophthora sp.) This disease apparently accounts for
a small percentage of maple troubles in New Hampshire, where it also is
reported as a bleeding canker on beech, with perhaps the same organism
(P. cactorum) as its cause. Symptoms on beech are similar to those on
maple. Infected beech wood has a distinct odor of sardines. Another
New Hampshire report ascribes noticeable mortality of sugar maples re-
sulting from bleeding canker infections of the past 2 years.

LEAP BLOTCH AND WITCHES • BROOM of Serviceberry (Apiosporina colllnsii)
Inspection of a Massachusetts locality where this disease was known to
be present in previous years has revealed sever© infections on service-
berry this year.

WITCHES’ BROOM of Prunus sp. Witches’ brooms on Prunus sp. are wide-
spread and abundant. The drought is apparently responsible for symptoms of
the disease caused by Taphrina sp. being more conspicuous than usual.

Among the many species of Taphrina affecting a variety of hardwood hosts,

T. cerasi seems especially abundant and widespread.

X-DI5EASE The dry summer has made symptoms of this virus on wild cherry
especially conspicuous this year throughout the Northeast.

observations op diseases op unknown or non-paras it ic causes

OAK DIEBACK West Virginia reports scarlet oak shows no symptoms as yet;
however, symptoms usually do not show up until about the second week of
August. Several square miles of trees showing symptoms last year for the
first time are totally dead. White oaks are now starting to succumb in
several of the areas.

WHITE PINE NEEDLE BLIGHT This is reported as rather heavy this year in
Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties in West Virginia. In New Hampshire a
few scattered trees show needle blight, hut not as many as in 1954. Often
the same trees as in 1954 show symptoms, especially the chronic cases with
short needles. Scattered trees with needle blight symptoms are generally
evident throughout the northeastern states, though 1957 would not be con-
sidered as a bad Hblight" year.

DEAD LARCH Small scattered patches of dead larch trees were noticed in
the coastal areas of Maine, especially in the Wiscasset region. Many
seem to be infested with hark beetles, and Polyporus schweinitzii has been
found associated with dead trees in some of the areas.

MISCELLANEOUS WINTER and/or PROST INJURY was light to heavy statewide
in West Virginia. Prosted beech has been slow in recovering from PROST
DAMAGE throughout most of the New England states. New Hampshire reports
a good deal of SUGAR MAPLE MORTALITY in recent years. Dying roadside
maples may be partly due to prolonged use of salt and calcium chloride
on roads during winter, although the complex is apparently due to a
variety of causes, one of which may he Verticillimn. Sugar bush trees

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in southern Vermont are in "bad condition in some places, although their
condition is much better in the northern half of the State. DYING- HEMLOCK
in New Hampshire is "believed to he due to SALT INJURY in many cases.
Massachusetts reports many instances of nftseellaneous troubles including
FROST INJURY and WINTER INJURY on Rhododendron, Crataegus, Acer saccharum,
Syringa vulgaris, Quercus sp . , Abies balsamea, and on purpurea and pendula
varieties of Fagus sylvatica. CONSTRUCTION INJURY is common on maples
from many parts of the state. SCORCH-killed specimens of Tsuga canadensis
were reported in Southhampton from a swampy area overlying a hardpan, and
of Aesculus hippo cast anum from Amherst and Belmont. RABBIT INJURY to
Cornus florida occurred in Greenfield. TRANSPLANTING TOO DEEP is reported
for killed-back specimens of Betula papyrifera, Picea pungens glauca, Acer
saccharum and B. populifolia. GAS LEAKS have killed elms and maples in
Turners Palls and West Springfield, respectively. Massachusetts also re-
ports the HEAVY SEED SET has weakened Acer saccharinum in the Amherst area
and Ulmus parvifolia in Northhampton. DIEBACK of Acer saccharum due to DROUGHT
and alternating hi^i water table is reported.

DROUGHT EFFECTS The dryness of the past summer has apparently accentuated
many tree troubles, such as the wilt diseases and dieback troubles, as evi-
denced by Dutch elm disease, Verticillium, etc. At the same time, it has
apparently suppressed certain diseases such as ash leaf rust, horsechestnut
blight, etc. Trees of many species are showing more severe dieback symptoms
this year because of the drought. We subscribe to a statement received from
the Shade Tree Laboratories, University of Massachusetts, which states
“effects of the present drought may be expected to show up as tree troubles
this fall, next year, and in succeeding seasons, as weakened trees succumb
to weak parasites".

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