Pine Tree Pest Is Discovered in Vermont

MONTPELIER, Vt. – A wood-boring insect seen as a serious threat to pine trees has been found in Vermont.

The Sirex Woodwasp was captured in a trap in Lamoille County on Aug. 31.

"This is the first state record of the Sirex Woodwasp in Vermont, and at this time we do not believe the Sirex Woodwasp has become established here," said state Agency of Agriculture entomologist Jon Turmel. "It’s been on our watch-list since it was discovered in New York."

The insect was first detected in New York State in 2004, and has since been found in northern Pennsylvania, Michigan and southern Ontario.

It’s believed that the Woodwasp – which is native to Europe, Asia and Africa – entered the U.S. in wooden crates, pallets and other forms of wood packaging. It lays its eggs in two and three-needled pine trees such as Austrian, jack, red and Scotch pines, the larvae damaging the trees’ tissue.

But officials say if the insect becomes established in Vermont, there are ways to manage it, including biological agents, according to Scott Pfister, protection chief for the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

The state plans to boost its trapping and visual surveys through the end of October, Turmel said.

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On the Web:

U.S.D.A. Forest Service: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/sww/