VIII.  Forest Insects

C.W. Berisford and G.K. Douce

Southern pine beetle activity was low during 1996, although there was some early season activity in the southwestern portion of the state. Infestations in the Piedmont Plateau were rare and no epidemic populations were reported.  The south wide monitoring system based on spring trapping predicted declining or static populations at all trap locations.

Black turpentine beetles were locally abundant where other bark beetle infestations had occurred and in areas which had mechanical damage from construction, fire, logging, etc.  Statewide populations were about average.

Localized heavy attacks by Ips spp. beetles were reported from several areas in the coastal plain, usually in associated with hot prescribed bums or wildfires.  Other infestations were centered around lightning strikes.

Pine tip moths, mostly Nantucket pine tip moth, were common throughout the state.  Attacks were particularly heavy in Christmas tree plantations where chemical control was inadequate.  High infestation levels frequently were found in plantations which had been established on land previously used for row crops or pasture and in stands which had received intensive mechanical and/or chemical site preparation prior to planting.  Tip moths have become serious pests in pine plantations where intensive management is practiced.

Scale insects and aphids typically increased late in the season and required additional chemical control in some Christmas tree plantations.  Losses to coneworms and seedworms were essentially the same as those experienced in 1995 with some increased in certain seed orchards.

Reproduction weevils caused severe localized damage to seedling pines in some areas, particularly where planting of new seedlings had occurred shortly after stand harvest.  Overall, populations were similar to the previous year.

High localized infestations of forest tent caterpillar again caused some defoliation of oaks, tupelo gum, and sweetgum in the coastal plain, particularly in the Chattachoochee river drainage.  Heavy localized infestations of fall webworm were also common in the coastal plain. Light defoliation by the fall cankerworm was reported at scattered locations on high mountain ridges.

Four thousand seven hundred and ten (4710) gypsy moth pheromone traps were set and monitored in Georgia as part of the 1996 national gypsy moth detection and monitoring program.  Seventy-seven (77) male moths were captured in eight of the forty seven counties in which traps were operated.  In locations where more than one moth was captured, additional pheromone trap monitoring and on-site inspection were/will be conducted to determine if an isolated infestation is present.  The Georgia Forestry Commission has primary responsibility for gypsy moth program in Georgia in cooperation with USDA-APHIS-PPQ and other state and federal agencies.

Estimates of Losses and Control Costs