The small things

It always amazes me how something so small can cause so much trouble.  Walnut Twig Beetles (Pityophthorus juglandis) are 1.5mm to 2mm long, basically the size of a flea and they have managed to shut down interstate commerce (at least to some extent).  Think I am overstating the impact?  The folks at Don't Move Firewood have put together some great videos on this very subject!

We are working with scientists from the University of Tennessee and Cornell University this summer testing several methods to control infestations of Walnut Twig Beetle and reduce the impact of the associated fungus (Geosmithia morbida) that causes Thousand Cankers Disease  on black walnut (Juglans nigra).

A special thanks to Robert Camp of UT-Knoxville for putting together the Walnut Twig Beetle key pictured above. 

Science is a process...

In the above diagram, we are brainstorming about an experiment set-up that would answer a specific question we have about walnut twig beetle and thousand cankers disease.  As scientists we basically either describe "what's there?" or explain how something works.  The scientific method is the process by which we, hopefully, get to those answers.  An observation in the natural world provokes a question which leads to the development of a hypothesis which can be tested by an experiment. 

P.S. And in the interest of preventing the need to solve such problems, don't move firewood.

Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis is commonly called jewelweed or touch-me-not (in reference to ripe seed pods that explode when touched).  Jewelweed gets its name from the way dew and rain drops will bead up on the plant and glitter like a jewel.  This amazing plant is well-known as a remedy for skin inflammation caused by poison ivy.  You can find jewelweed in cool, wet woodlands throughout the Southern Appalachians.

Hemlock Restoration

Dr. Bud Mayfield takes a long look at a pocket of dense hemlock regeneration at DuPont State Forest.  Bud is Project Leader of the Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants of Southern Forests Research Work Unit.  The existence of hemlock seedlings and saplings in the understory is a hopeful sign for a tree species being steadily killed off by the infamous hemlock woolly adelgid.  Read more about restoration efforts here.

Hemlock Insectary

 Dr. Bud Mayfield giving a field talk to NC land managers at our predator beetle insectary site.

Recently, at Bent Creek Experimental Forest, U.S. Forest Service Scientist Dr. Bud Mayfield gave a talk on hemlock conservation as part of a workshop for North Carolina land managers.  One of the novel ideas being pursued by the Forest Service is the establishment of a predator beetle insectary.  The hemlock wooly adelgid is wreaking havoc throughout most of the range of hemlock.  Predator beetles, especially Laricobius spp., have shown potential to curb adelgid infestation rates increasing the lifespan of hemlock trees.  One of the limiting factors in using predator beetles has been their availability.  Dr. Mayfield and his research work unit will plant hemlock trees, actually help them get infested with adelgid, and cultivate predator beetles to be distributed to high priority hemlock stands.

 The hemlock insectary recently had an herbicide application and pin flags installed to aid in the planting effort.

 Copperheads are venomous snakes.  Be careful when walking in any wooded area.

There are other predators in our hemlock insectary site.  This is a copperhead we found while assessing our herbicide application.