Forest Pest Update

Thousand Cankers Disease, TCD, has not yet been detected in Indiana but is certainly of concern.  This disease was originally detected in the southwest United States and affects walnut trees.  The disease is spread by the walnut twig beetle as it bores into branches, feeds on the tree tissue, and then deposits the fungus.  This fungus creates a canker under the bark which interrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients.  Multiple cankers cause tree branch die back and eventually tree mortality after two to three years.  In an effort to prevent the introduction of TCD, a quarantine is in effect that requires businesses moving walnut from infested states to or through Indiana to have a compliance agreement with the state and for any shipments to pass inspection.

 

The Gypsy Moth is currently found in northern Indiana,Michigan, and northwest Ohio.  Efforts have been successful and continue to be underway to slow the spread of the moth through aerial applications that disrupt the mating cycle or kill the feeding caterpillar.  Quarantines are designed to prevent the shipment of live gypsy moths and include inspections of material before movement into uninfected counties.

 

The Emerald Ash Borer, EAB, continues to cause ash mortality throughout the region.  In Indiana alone, it has been detected in more than 50 counties with no new detection since March 2014.  State and federal quarantines continue to be in effect and prohibit the interstate movement of regulated articles including all hardwood firewood, without a compliance agreement.