Dick McDonald

Banner Elk & Grandfather Mountain

Collections & Observations

Banner Elk & Grandfather Mountain

Collections & Observations

Overview Of Hemlock HillOverview Of Hemlock Hill Initial release - 300 lab-reared beetles in 2003. Recovered 3, 12, 93 beetles in 2004, ’05, ‘06, respectively –

establishment by year 3 – 2006. 2005-2012 - 695 beetles collected in Seattle area released. 2006 recovered beetles in non-release areas using “non-

standard” sampling based on where beetles were found in Seattle• Beetle dispersal was ½ mile by 2008, 10+ miles by 2012• 34,500 beetles collected in last 14 months

Currently using field nurseries as well as Seattle collections to establish beetles in other areas

Providing on-site training in different states on sampling procedures.

Initial release - 300 lab-reared beetles in 2003. Recovered 3, 12, 93 beetles in 2004, ’05, ‘06, respectively –

establishment by year 3 – 2006. 2005-2012 - 695 beetles collected in Seattle area released. 2006 recovered beetles in non-release areas using “non-

standard” sampling based on where beetles were found in Seattle• Beetle dispersal was ½ mile by 2008, 10+ miles by 2012• 34,500 beetles collected in last 14 months

Currently using field nurseries as well as Seattle collections to establish beetles in other areas

Providing on-site training in different states on sampling procedures.

Initial release of Laricobius nigrinus in NW NC.Initial release of Laricobius nigrinus in NW NC.

• Dr. David Mausel, Virginia Tech, released 300 Lamb-lab-reared L. nigrinus adults on 31 Dec 2003 @ Hemlock Hill, Banner Elk & 150 adults Oct 2004 at Holloway Mountain. These were two of Dr. Mausel’s 22 release sites on the east coast. Dr. Gina Davis was the NC state forestry liason for the NC releases.

• Dr. David Mausel, Virginia Tech, released 300 Lamb-lab-reared L. nigrinus adults on 31 Dec 2003 @ Hemlock Hill, Banner Elk & 150 adults Oct 2004 at Holloway Mountain. These were two of Dr. Mausel’s 22 release sites on the east coast. Dr. Gina Davis was the NC state forestry liason for the NC releases.

Dr. Gina Davis – recovers 2 F1 Ln 16 Oct 2004along with Prof. Stewart Skeate.

Dr. Gina Davis – recovers 2 F1 Ln 16 Oct 2004along with Prof. Stewart Skeate.

• Intensive study sites of L. nigrinus around Banner Elk • (Date , # adults released, source)• 1- Hemlock Hill, Banner Elk 2003-300 VT Lab + 2006-455 Seattle.• 2- Holloway Mtn. Rd. 2004-150 VT Lab + 2006 240 Seattle.• 3- Lees-McRae Field, Banner Elk 2005-202 adults OSU + 2006 -100 OSU

• Intensive study sites of L. nigrinus around Banner Elk • (Date , # adults released, source)• 1- Hemlock Hill, Banner Elk 2003-300 VT Lab + 2006-455 Seattle.• 2- Holloway Mtn. Rd. 2004-150 VT Lab + 2006 240 Seattle.• 3- Lees-McRae Field, Banner Elk 2005-202 adults OSU + 2006 -100 OSU

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Site Elevations:1000 - 1200m

L. nigrinus DispersalL. nigrinus Dispersal

Mid-November 2006 – 1 adult, main ridge of Hemlock Hill, 300+ meters from the nearest release tree.

March 2007 - 1 adult,600 meters from nearest release tree.

December 2007 - 2 adults ,same area as above

January 2008 – 1 adult, 800 meters from nearest release tree and on opposite site of open athletic field.

Mid-November 2006 – 1 adult, main ridge of Hemlock Hill, 300+ meters from the nearest release tree.

March 2007 - 1 adult,600 meters from nearest release tree.

December 2007 - 2 adults ,same area as above

January 2008 – 1 adult, 800 meters from nearest release tree and on opposite site of open athletic field.

Nov 06

Mar/Dec07

Jan 08 Ln

N. Elk River Oct 07

Dispersal in Banner Elk Area, 2010Beetles ½ mile from release site.

Dispersal in Banner Elk Area, 2010Beetles ½ mile from release site.

From February 2008-2012, Grandfather Golf and Country Club released 13,000+ wildcaught L. nigrinus from Seattle, Washington. A majority of those beetles were collectedat Seattle Golf Course (a total of nearly 10,000) during 2008 to 2010. It is believed thatthis amount of beetles has lead to L. nigrinus spreading over 10 miles in all directions.This was the first large scale, operational release of L. nigrinus on the East Coast.

From February 2008-2012, Grandfather Golf and Country Club released 13,000+ wildcaught L. nigrinus from Seattle, Washington. A majority of those beetles were collectedat Seattle Golf Course (a total of nearly 10,000) during 2008 to 2010. It is believed thatthis amount of beetles has lead to L. nigrinus spreading over 10 miles in all directions.This was the first large scale, operational release of L. nigrinus on the East Coast.

Banner ElkBanner Elk

GrandfatherGolf &Country Club

GrandfatherGolf &Country Club

HollowayHolloway

Approximate areaof recoveries in 2012

Approximate areaof recoveries in 2012

Release Sites& Recovery Areas

Release Sites& Recovery Areas

Looking North to Beech, Flat Top, Sugar, and 7 Devils Mtns - Peaks and valleys where Laricobius nigrinus has dispersed and is generally established – 300 square miles. GGCC is in the foreground below.

Looking North to Beech, Flat Top, Sugar, and 7 Devils Mtns - Peaks and valleys where Laricobius nigrinus has dispersed and is generally established – 300 square miles. GGCC is in the foreground below.

Looking southwest towards Hawksbill/Table Rock Mtns,at the center of the screen.Ln found at base of HawksbillOn Carolina Hemlocks. BlackMountains in distance.

Looking southwest towards Hawksbill/Table Rock Mtns,at the center of the screen.Ln found at base of HawksbillOn Carolina Hemlocks. BlackMountains in distance.

•Beetles at the hemlock/spruce-fir tree line on Grandfather Mountain at 4,800 feet elevation. Maine?•The Banner Elk, Grandfather area is in cold-hardiness zone 6a (-23° C avg. min.). Grandfather: 5,960’ elev.•Beetles were originally collected in cold-hardiness zone 8a (-12° C avg. min.) in Seattle/Tacoma area.•Beetles in North Carolina are thriving in a climate with much colder winter temperatures than the climate where they originated. •Possible gene flow from interior populations of beetles.

•Beetles at the hemlock/spruce-fir tree line on Grandfather Mountain at 4,800 feet elevation. Maine?•The Banner Elk, Grandfather area is in cold-hardiness zone 6a (-23° C avg. min.). Grandfather: 5,960’ elev.•Beetles were originally collected in cold-hardiness zone 8a (-12° C avg. min.) in Seattle/Tacoma area.•Beetles in North Carolina are thriving in a climate with much colder winter temperatures than the climate where they originated. •Possible gene flow from interior populations of beetles.

Cold-hardiness of Laricobius nigrinus in the mountains of northwestern North Carolina

Recommendations:

1)SOP for Ln collections on the East Coast – HWA data base.2)Urban community forest interface to collect beetles;3)Get beetles from NW NC & PNW as needed; (Scw)4)Releases based on knowledge of Ln requisites – duff, sun,5)Use a simple guide sheet explains Ln’s life history.6)Training of cooperators to refine search images, Ln phenology, use of UV, and ability to read the landscape to release and then recover predators years later;7) Mason/Dixon effect – abiotic factors – HWA winter kill from NJ north; we don’t have that in the South. Aggressive southern strategy.

Recommendations:

1)SOP for Ln collections on the East Coast – HWA data base.2)Urban community forest interface to collect beetles;3)Get beetles from NW NC & PNW as needed; (Scw)4)Releases based on knowledge of Ln requisites – duff, sun,5)Use a simple guide sheet explains Ln’s life history.6)Training of cooperators to refine search images, Ln phenology, use of UV, and ability to read the landscape to release and then recover predators years later;7) Mason/Dixon effect – abiotic factors – HWA winter kill from NJ north; we don’t have that in the South. Aggressive southern strategy.

Predators Released in Study SitesPredators Released in Study SitesLaricobius nigrinus (Lari)

Laricobius nigrinus (Lari)

Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St)

Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St)

Scymnus sinuanodulus (Ss)

Scymnus sinuanodulus (Ss)

What about Scymnus coniferarum?What about Scymnus coniferarum?• Seattle: ‘Scymnus trees’.• We ignored summer predators – focused on Ln.• Lower numbers than Ln (1/10th - collecting during

winter).• Reproduces within tree – Ln must leave tree to pupate.• Habitat: hemlocks that don’t have needle duff (wind).• Parking lots, Golf courses, cemeteries, etc.• Nature: bluffs, rocky outcroppings, mountain ridges,

along rocky creeks/rivers, windy areas.• Alternate adelgid hosts – Pines, firs, spruces.• *BRACKETING- Predator for every life stage of HWA.*

• Seattle: ‘Scymnus trees’.• We ignored summer predators – focused on Ln.• Lower numbers than Ln (1/10th - collecting during

winter).• Reproduces within tree – Ln must leave tree to pupate.• Habitat: hemlocks that don’t have needle duff (wind).• Parking lots, Golf courses, cemeteries, etc.• Nature: bluffs, rocky outcroppings, mountain ridges,

along rocky creeks/rivers, windy areas.• Alternate adelgid hosts – Pines, firs, spruces.• *BRACKETING- Predator for every life stage of HWA.*

Scymnus coniferarum Crotch (Scw) – Hemlock was new recorded Host tree and HWA was a new host. Photo: Nathan Havill USFS.

Scymnus coniferarum Crotch (Scw) – Hemlock was new recorded Host tree and HWA was a new host. Photo: Nathan Havill USFS.

Collection records of Scymnus (P.) coniferarum based on museum specimens; shaded = general area of many collections with dots showing peripheral localities (from Gordon 1985); grey rectangle is area of recent collections in the Seattle area.

Collection records of Scymnus (P.) coniferarum based on museum specimens; shaded = general area of many collections with dots showing peripheral localities (from Gordon 1985); grey rectangle is area of recent collections in the Seattle area.

Summer Predators in SeattleSummer Predators in Seattle

• We collected 956 Scw from Oct. 2009 -June 2010; most (838) of these were collected in late April (397 adults) and late June (441: 269 larvae and 172 adults).

• Scw is widespread in the Seattle-Tacoma area.• Scw appears to be a major summer HWA predator in this area.• We were able to collect more summer predators from trees that do not

favor the development of L. nigrinus. These are trees that have the needle duff removed (or covered by mulch) and make it difficult for L. nigrinus to complete its life cycle.

• Natural areas: rocky outcroppings, bluffs, windy areas, or trees lining creeks.

• We collected Scw beetles on hemlock trees lacking needle duff in parking lots, cemeteries, and playgrounds, in mostly urban areas.

• 24 Scw adults were collected on Western White Pine infested with adelgids (and aphids) from 3 infested pine trees.

• Some niche partitioning between summer and winter predators.• See Dr. Michael Montgomery’s poster on host range of Scw.

• We collected 956 Scw from Oct. 2009 -June 2010; most (838) of these were collected in late April (397 adults) and late June (441: 269 larvae and 172 adults).

• Scw is widespread in the Seattle-Tacoma area.• Scw appears to be a major summer HWA predator in this area.• We were able to collect more summer predators from trees that do not

favor the development of L. nigrinus. These are trees that have the needle duff removed (or covered by mulch) and make it difficult for L. nigrinus to complete its life cycle.

• Natural areas: rocky outcroppings, bluffs, windy areas, or trees lining creeks.

• We collected Scw beetles on hemlock trees lacking needle duff in parking lots, cemeteries, and playgrounds, in mostly urban areas.

• 24 Scw adults were collected on Western White Pine infested with adelgids (and aphids) from 3 infested pine trees.

• Some niche partitioning between summer and winter predators.• See Dr. Michael Montgomery’s poster on host range of Scw.

Recovering Summer Predators back EastRecovering Summer Predators back East

• We may want to make releases in areas which don’t initially favor Ln - ridges, bluffs, other areas lacking needle duff.

• Alternate adelgid hosts – pines, firs, etc.• Release into hedges along a parking lot or

similar place urban community forest interface.

• May disperse faster than Ln?

• We may want to make releases in areas which don’t initially favor Ln - ridges, bluffs, other areas lacking needle duff.

• Alternate adelgid hosts – pines, firs, etc.• Release into hedges along a parking lot or

similar place urban community forest interface.

• May disperse faster than Ln?