PROJECT OBJECTIVES The purpose of this survey is to: A. Review historical vegetation survey data for all NJARNG & NJDMAVA properties to identify sites at risk of becoming infested with Emerald Ash Borers (EAB) and/or Spotted Lanternflies (SLF). B. Develop a formal survey plan including survey methods and site-specific descriptions. C. Survey all sites for host tree presence. D. Develop and submit a formal report, including survey methods, results, recommended action plans, figures, and photographs.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND PROJECT RATIONALE The project focuses on two insects that have the potential to harm the facilities/locations where they are found. They can destroy trees, causing them to fall, and this has been shown to attract stinging insects.
The emerald ash borer (EAB), Arrilus planipennis, is an invasive beetle and it is known as the ash borer because it has the ability to destroy all ash species and white fringe tree. The EAB is problematic because it has no known natural predators in the US and its food (ash trees) has no natural defenses against it.
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was first observed in the US in 2014. It does not prey solely on one species but is an efficient plant-hopper. It has been shown to cause damage to about 70 plant species. Like the EAB, it has no natural predators in the US, although it is known to require the Tree of heaven (Chinese sumac, Ailanthus altissimma) to complete its life cycle. Its current range in NJ is in the southwestern part of the state.
These insects are studied in the springtime, between April and May, to locate EAB larvae and SLF nymphs. To study the EAB, all ash species are to be located on site and it’s important to pay close attention to the areas within 200 feet of a property boundary. White fringe trees are also located in the same way as the ash trees. The trees located are measured for diameter at breast height (DBH), the tree is tagged, and a GPS point is taken. The trees are also inspected for EAB presence, and the indicators of the presence include the adult/larva of the EAB. D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped galleries, epicormic shoots, crown die-back, split bark, unhealthy foliage, eaten leaves, and woodpecker damage are also indicators of EAB presence. In late April to August, green funnel traps are installed at select sites and they are deployed before the emergence of the larvae. The site is revisited after 30 days to inspect the traps for EAB capture.
The spotted lantern flies are known to need the tree-of-heaven to complete their life cycle. To study the insects in the spring through summer, tree-of-heaven must be identified on site, and it is important to inspect within 50 feet of the property boundary, buildings, fences, and parking lots. It is also important to inspect the forest edges since tree-of-heaven are known to grow well in areas with a lot of sunlight. For each tree identified, the DBH and height of the largest tree in the cluster must be recorded. The largest tree will be tagged as well. The trees will be inspected for signs of SLF presence, and the indicators include adult/nymph SLF presence, SLF egg mass presence, weeping wounds, honeydew, sooty mold, and increased wasp, bee, hornet, and ant presence. Doubled-sided tape is also installed on the tree-of-heaven trees to confirm SLF presence. The traps are placed 4 feet above the bottom of the tree and secured with a pushpin. The tape is covered with petroleum jelly or chicken wire. The site is revisited to inspect the tape for SLF capture.
SUEIP deployed and monitored Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) traps at 7 sites in response to 2019 EAB and SLF survey results in which several sites exhibited signs of EAB and/or SLF infestations. Intern Greg Fischer researched various trapping methods and developed a trapping protocol and schedule. Traps were deployed between March and July and were monitored weekly. EAB presence was confirmed at 3 of the 5 sites surveyed. Degrees of infestation varied between sites. Over 100 individual EAB adults were collected from a single trap over a 1-week period at the Bordentown Warrior Transition Center, while only 1 EAB adult was captured over a 2-week period at the Morristown Armory. SLF presence was confirmed at 1 of the 6 sites surveyed, with approximately 20 individual SLF nymphs observed on one tree at the Washington Armory. By interpreting this data, students were able to rationalize and prioritize treatment recommendations. All data from the 2019 and 2020 survey efforts has been summarized in a formal report, including detailed site-specific methods and results, maps, tables, photographs.