Southern forest pest reporter

Historic, Archive Document

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

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6A. VaUG 1 6 1963 K E r U K 1 1 K

JURRENT SERIAL REMsdepartment of AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE, 50 SEVENTH ST. N. E.
IFLA* Atlanta 23, Georgia

PEST CONTROL ZONE OFFICES
Asheville, N. C.

Valdosta, Ga. — Alexandria, La.

NUMBER 2

June 26, 1963

SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS

Southern pine beetle activity continues in Texas, Ala-
bama and Mississippi, but generally at a lower level than
at this time last year. Similar conditions have been
reported in North Carolina and within the National Forest
in north Georgia and South Carolina. The Georgia
Forestry Commission reported that the southern pine
beetle had been reduced to endemic levels in 34 counties
and that the control program will be completed by the
last of June. Severe weather conditions last winter
contributed to beetle mortality in north Georgia, South
Carolina and portions of North Carolina. Some increase
in the number of parasites and predators has also been
observed. Detection and evaluation surveys now in
progress will be completed in early July and will provide
valuable information on the trend of the 1963 southern
pine beetle population in the Region. In the meantime,
landowners are urged to make periodic checks and clean
up infestations on their land to avoid future buildup.

Ips beetles continue to threaten pine forests in the naval
stores belt of Florida, south Georgia and portions of
Texas and Louisiana. Black turpentine beetle infestations
have increased in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Existing drought conditions in south Georgia and Florida
favor increased activity of the insect in the two states.
Pales weevils have caused heavy mortality in several
thousand acres of pine plantations ranging from one to
three or four years in age. The forest tent caterpillar

has again defoliated several thousand acres of bottomland hardwood
in Louisiana and Texas. Spanworm defoliation was below the pre-
dicted level this spring in north Georgia and southwestern North
Carolina.

Forest tree diseases continue to pose management problems through-
out the Region. Fomes annosus and Cronartium fusiforme have
received the most emphasis.

STATUS OF FOREST INSECTS

ALABAMA

GEORGIA

SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.

Southern pine beetle activity in Alabama continues to be
centered in the eastern part of the state. Beetle activity
appears to be at a relatively low level at the present time.

In March of this year, an aerial survey was made in eastern
Alabama along the Georgia line. Active southern pine beetle
infestations were found in only two of the spots ground checked.
No new infestations were located on a recent aerial detection
flight on the Talladega National Forest.

The Georgia Forestry Commission reported in mid-June
that southern pine beetle control activities had been com-
pleted in 34 counties, with some work continuing in Hall.

They expect to have the control program completed by the
end of June. Over 800, 000 infested trees have been re-
moved and treated by Georgia State Forestry Commission
crews since March, 1962. These trees contained 5, 546, 000
board feet of sawtimber and 14,634 cords of pulpwood. Con-
trol operations were conducted on the property of 6, 236 land-
owners. The average cost of direct control that involved
removal and treating the trees was $1. 25 per tree.

An additional large amount of infested timber not included
in the above was removed by industry through commercial
sales and salvage operations.

State -wide aerial operation recorder type surveys are
scheduled for the summer and will be continued on an
annual basis. All state forestry personnel are on the
alert for evidence of reoccurrence of southern pine beetle
outbreaks .

During the winter, a majority of overwintering southern
pine beetle spots on the Chattooga and Tallulah Districts of
the Chattahoochee National Forest were treated. Operational
flights this spring have shown that new activity has not yet
become visible, although emergence from some of the

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SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE (Cont'd)

MISSISSIPPI

NORTH

CAROLINA

SOUTH

CAROLINA

overwintering trees has taken place. Presently infested
trees should begin to show fading by mid-June. To date,
an estimated 70, 000 infested trees have been treated on
the two districts.

Twenty-seven single-tree spots were located on the
Homochitto National Forest during an aerial survey in
April. Active southern pine beetle infestations were
found in 4 trees on the Homochitto District. Broods
were not vigorous and were confined to lightning-struck
trees and trees infested with other bark beetles.

Organized control efforts by the North Carolina Division
of Forestry have continued against the southern pine
beetle in the upper Piedmont. The control program has
emphasized the cutting and removal of infested trees through
commercial sales and salvage accompanied by direct chemi-
cal control as needed. In a coordinated effort with industry
and landowners, nearly a quarter million trees had been cut
through May. The combined control costs in coordinating
the removal of infested trees by salvage operations and in
the application of chemical treatment where necessary have
been low, favored by large number of trees removed by
salvage.

Control work has been completed in some counties and in all
other counties excellent progress has been made. A few brood
trees are being found in Davidson, Forsyth, Randolph, Union,
Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cleveland, Rutherford and Guilford
Counties. Surveys indicate that control efforts in salvage
accompanied by chemical control, together with the winter
mortality has effectively reduced beetle populations. The
season of the year when buildup occurs is in the immediate
future and the potential of the low level remaining beetle popu-
lation will not be known until later.

The South Carolina National Forests reported that operational
aerial surveys for southern pine beetle were continued during
the months of May and June. Approximately 55, 000 infested
trees have been treated during the current year. Surveys on

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SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE (Cont'd)

TEXAS

May 31 revealed that there remained 112 spots to be treated
with an additional 200 spots still to be evaluated in the South
Carolina National Forests. Spot infestations, however, did
not appear to involve large numbers of trees. Observations
generally indicated that beetle populations were at low levels.
However, a potential for an uptrend still is in evidence.

Southern pine beetle activity continues in east Texas, but at
a lower level than at this time last year. There are many
single-tree infestations scattered over last year's epidemic
area, with average spots consisting of somewhat less than
20 trees. Slightly more than one -half of trees groundchecked
contained southern pine beetle broods. Heavy infestations
in green trees were reported in some areas.

An aerial survey of the Texas National Forests was made
in April of this year. Active southern pine beetle infestations
were found only on the Big Thicket District of the Sam Houston
National Forest. These infestations were mostly confined
to single, lightning-struck trees. Few trees are presently
infested, but broods are vigorous and numerous. These
brood trees could cause an uptrend in beetle populations.

BLACK TURPENTINE BEETLE, Dendroctonus terebrans (Oliv. )

GEORGIA &
FLORIDA

Black turpentine beetle attacks in logging areas of north and
central Georgia are spotty with beetle populations generally
at a low level. In the naval stores areas of Georgia and north
Florida, the population increases that occurred last summer
and fall have become less apparent because of adequate winter
rains.

LOUISIANA

Black turpentine beetle activity continues on the Kisatchie
National Forest. Control efforts have prevented the loss of
high value residual trees in logging areas.

MISSISSIPPI

An increase in black turpentine beetle infestations has been
reported from the Biloxi Ranger District, Mississippi
National Forests, following logging operations and in naval
stores areas.

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BLACK TURPENTINE BEETLE (Cont'd)

TEXAS

Black turpentine beetle infestations have increased due to
logging, lightning and pipeline constructions in east Texas.
Scattered mortality has been reported. Control action is
being taken on the Texas National Forests.

ARKANSAS

IPS ENGRAVER BEETLES

Ips avulsus (Eichh. ) are attacking the tops of residual trees
following logging on the Piney Ranger District, Ozark National
Forest. Ips beetles were found attacking trees weakened and
killed by Fomes annosus at Lake Wedington on the Boston
Mountain Ranger District, Ozark National Forest in Washing-
ton County.

GEORGIA

In Georgia, Ips beetle activity is scattered and localized.
Significant tree mortality is occurring on the Oconee
National Forest as a result of the combined efforts of I.
avulsus and D. frontalis. Elsewhere in the state, activity
is restricted to small spots initiated by lightning strikes.

TEXAS

Increased Ips beetle activity has been reported on the Big
Thicket District, Sam Houston National Forest. An unusually
dry spring is probably responsible for this increase. Out-
breaks of Ips beetle populations in other areas are currently
being surveyed and evaluated.

NORTH &

SOUTH

CAROLINA

PINE WEEVILS

Pales weevils, Hylobius pales (Hbst. ) have been responsible
for damage both in natural stands and in plantations, some
that have been established for 3 or 4 years in the coastal
areas of North Carolina. One slash pine plantation area on
the Croatan National Forest was heavily damaged by this
weevil. The Riegel Paper Corporation reports serious
losses on several thousand acres of loblolly pine plantations
near Bolton, North Carolina.

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PINE WEEVILS (Cont'd)

ARKANSAS

FLORIDA

NORTH

CAROLINA

GEORGIA

On the Francis Marion National Forest and adjacent, private
lands in South Carolina, Pis sodes nemorensis have killed
the terminals on one area of pine.

PINE SAWFLIES, Neodiprion spp.

Light defoliation by the loblolly pine sawfly, Neodiprion taedae
linearis (Ross), was observed between El Dorado and Fordy-ce.
Heavy defoliation is reported in and around Hampton.

A 4, 000 acre infestation of N. excitans in the Gainesville,
Florida area has been kept under close surveillance. Scattered
colonies fed throughout the winter months, but caused no
appreciable damage. Surveillance to detect and evaluate a
possible fall buildup will be continued.

Scattered colonies of the red-headed pine sawfly, _N. lecontei
(Fitch), have been reported throughout the state. There is
no immediate indication of a severe buildup.

BALSAM WOOLLY APHID, Chermes piceae (Ratz)

As of May 31, the balsam woolly aphid has been found in four
new spots on Roan Mountain and is known to infest about 1, 000
trees. A new infestation was also found in a nursery about
four miles south of Pineola, North Carolina. Three trees
in the nursery had been killed and the fourth had yellow foliage.
A very high population of living aphids was found on this tree
and the remains of aphids were found on the dead trees. A
survey to determine the extent and severity of the aphid infes-
tation on all fraser fir type is currently underway.

ELM SPANWORM, Ennomos subsignarius (Hbn. )

A total of 1, 800 acres on National Forest recreation and selected
State Parks areas was effectively sprayed by helicopter for

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ELM SPANWORM (Cont'd)

NORTH

CAROLINA

ALABAMA

LOUISIANA

TEXAS &
LOUISIANA

the control of elm spanworm in May. There was evidence
last fall that the infestation in north Georgia was beginning
to break up.

Populations of elm spanworm larvae and the extent of their
feeding was on a reduced basis this year. Relatively few of
such favored hosts as hickory and black walnut have more
than light to moderate defoliation. A large number of egg
parasites have emerged from collected egg masses. This
egg parasite is believed to be Telenomus alsophilae which
is the same species that emerged in smaller numbers from
elm spanworm egg masses in 1961. The impact of this para-
site on elm spanworm populations is being evaluated. It
appears that this egg parasite may be a critical factor in
reducing elm spanworm populations to an endemic level.

In western North Carolina, 8, 650 acres of high value recre-
ational and research areas infested with elm spanworm were
sprayed by helicopter. A formulation of one -half pound of
DDT in one gallon of fuel oil per acre was used.

FOREST TENT CATERPILLAR, Malacosoma disstria (Hbn. )

An aerial survey of the Mobile River bottomlands north of
Mobile was made in May. Defoliation by the forest tent
caterpillar was observed again this year, but it appears to
be generally light.

A forest tent caterpillar aerial survey was made in south
Louisiana in May. The heaviest defoliation was found south
of Baton Rouge and west of New Orleans. Defoliation appears
to be heavier this year than last. Scattered light defoliation
was observed north of Baton Rouge. The tent caterpillar was
reported defoliating tupelo in Rapides and Evangeline Parishes.

FALL WEB WORM, Hyphantria cunea (Drury)

The fall webworm has been observed feeding on willow and
sweetgum in east Texas and west Louisiana. Distribution
was general and more prevalent than usual.

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STATUS OF FOREST DISEASES

FOMES ANNOSUS ROOT ROT, Fomes annosus (Fr. ) Cke.

REGION - Fomes annosus continues to be one of the principle diseases

WIDE in the Region with frequent new infection centers being

reported. Recent infections have been reported in Washing-
ton County, Arkansas; and Red River, Bienville and Wash-
ington Parishes, Louisiana.

BROWN SPOT NEEDLE BLIGHT, Scir rhia acicola (Dearn. ) Siggers

REGION-

WIDE

REGION -
WIDE

Brown spot needle blight remains the most important disease
of longleaf pine reproduction. Brown spot can be observed
over the entire Region wherever longleaf pine reproduction
is found.

NEEDLE CAST, Hypoderma spp.

Needle cast diseases are considered as minor but are wide-
spread throughout the Region. Severe infections have been
observed in eastern Texas and western Louisiana.

NEEDLE BLIGHT, Pestalotia spp.

LOUISIANA A needle blight caused by an extremely heavy infection of a

Pestalotia spp. has been noted on loblolly pine near Glenmora,
Louisiana. This fungus occurs over large areas on pine needles,
but usually does not cause as much needle blight as on the
area noted.

MISCELLANEOUS INSECTS AND DISEASES

The willow sawfly, Nematus ventralis Say. , and the cottonwood leaf beetle,
Chrysomela scripta F. , have been found defoliating willow in Rapides
Parish, Louisiana.

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MISCELLANEOUS INSECT AND DISEASES (Cont'd)

A heavy infestation of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana
(Comst. ), was observed in a plantation near Glenmora, Louisiana.

A gall weevil, tentatively identified as Podapion gallicola Riley, is very
numerous on pines in north Louisiana and south Arkansas. It is causing
concern to foresters because of attacks on superior trees.

The pine needle miner, Exoteleia spp. has been observed throughout the
longleaf pine area in west Louisiana and east Texas. Open-growth trees
are the most heavily attacked.

Several areas of shorleaf pine in Roane County, Tennessee show defoli-
ation and needle cast accompaned by mortality. Indications are that
the condition is the result of air pollutants. Further observations will
be made during the summer.

A decline of live oak was reported in south central Texas in 1933. Since
that time the disease has spread throughout the live oak areas of Texas
and is currently bordering Louisiana. The symptoms are manifest by
a slow decline first evidenced by a general thinning of the leaves and
die back of isolated branches. This condition progresses until defoli-
ation is complete and death is imminent. Dark streaks are often ob-
served in severely affected limbs and are generally a prelude to necrosis.
Preliminary investigations indicate the condition is pathological and
most likely a virus disease. (Report submitted by Dr. R. S. Halliwell,
College Station, Texas)

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GSA ATLANTA GA 63-5676

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U. S. Dept, of Agricultur

United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Atlanta 23, Georgia
Official Business

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