Summary of Losses from Insect Damage and Costs of Control in Georgia - 1997

VIII. Forest Insects

C. W. Berisford and G. K. Douce

Southern pine beetle activity statewide was moderate during 1997 but some severe localized outbreaks occurred, particularly in coastal counties. Heavy localized losses occurred along the fall line also in central and western counties. Infestations in the Piedmont Plateau were generally low. The southwide monitoring system based on spring trapping was generally accurate for most 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 somewhat higher than in 1996.

Localized heavy attacks by Ips spp. beetles were reported from several areas in the coastal plain. Infestations which were initiated around lightning strikes often expanded, apparently due to severe drought conditions during the summer and early fall.

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 infestations occurred frequently in commercial loblolly pine 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. The most severe infestations were usually found in the upper coastal plain just below the fall line.

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 1996 with some increases 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 Chattahoochee River drainage. Heavy localized infestations of fall webworm were also common in the coastal plain.

Four thousand seven hundred and ten (4,710) gypsy moth pheromone traps were set and monitored in Georgia as part of the 1997 national gypsy moth detection and monitoring program. Seventy-seven (77) male moth 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 inspections were/will be conducted to determine if an isolated infestation is present. The Georgia Forestry Commission has primary responsibility for gypsy moth programs in Georgia in cooperation with USDA-APHIS-PPQ and other state and federal agencies.

1. Includes Nantucket pine tip moth, pitch pine tip moth and subtropical pine tip moth.
2. Ips avulsus, I. grandicollis, I. calligraphus and I. pini.
3. Includes carpenter ants, ambrosia beetles, lepidopterous wood borers, shothole borers and various other cerambycid, buprestid and scolytid beetles.
4. Includes coneworms, seedworms, seed bugs and cone beetles.
5. Pales weevil and pitcheating weevil.
6. Mostly aphids, scale insects, lace bugs, sawflies, and lepidopterous defoliators.
7. The gypsy moth is not generally established in Georgia, although isolated infestations have been detected. Therefore, there are no damage estimates and only monitoring and/or control costs are included.