Development of regulatory treatments for thousand cankers disease
PARTNERS: USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection (Southern Region), University of Tennessee, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station
SUMMARY: Thousand cankers disease (TCD) is a pest complex caused by the walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis, and an associated fungus, Geosmithia morbida. TCD was first detected in the eastern United States in 2010. Eastern black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) are highly susceptible to TCD and are often killed as a result of infection, making it a serious threat to forest ecosystems and the forestry industry in the United States. Primary activities of this project will be to investigate the ability of the TCD pathogen and vector to colonize and persist in cut logs, and evaluate phytosanitary procedures that will ensure the safe transport of walnut logs and lumber.
EFETAC'S ROLE: This project is supported by EFETAC funding.
STATUS: Ongoing
PROGRESS: Investigation is underway to determine acceptable thermal treatment regimes that satisfactorily control both insect and pathogen pests. A similar study is also underway to determine the fumigation schedules required to controls these walnut pests.
LINKS:
USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection (Southern Region)
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Center for Plant Health Science and Technology
USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station
CONTACT: Paul Merten, USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection (Southern Region), pmerten@fs.fed.us or 828-257-4845
Updated November 2012
