Tag Archives: Invasive species

Battle with the Spotted Lanternfly and other invasive species a community, backyard effort

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, West Michigan, ,
Adult and nymphal spotted lanternfly on tree-of-heaven in Pennsylvania. (Courtesy, Heather Leach/Michigan State University)




By K.D. Norris

WKTV Contributor



The list of invasive species disrupting West Michigan’s land and water is eerily long, and seemingly a battle ordinary people can only stand by and watch. Whether it’s the garlic mustard weed choking out forest floors and backyards or the spotted lanternfly attacking grape vines and apple crops, the feeling could be: “What can I do?”

Turns out there is a lot that people can do, starting with keeping an eye out for the much-in-the-news spotted lanternfly, reporting sightings to the proper authorities, and doing a bit of back-yard eradication if you find one and are not squeamish about squishing them.

WKTV went to Michigan’s own “invasive” pest experts, Michigan State University’s renown Agriculture Department, for information on the “SLF” and two other invasions impacting local residents and homeowners: the cancerous spread of the garlic mustard plant and the tree-killing appetite of the emerald ash borer.

And in all the cases, the public can play a role in the battle against the invasives.

The City of Kentwood, the Kent County Conservation District, and other local groups are harnessing community action and volunteers to battle garlic mustard though education and sweat equity.

And while MSU and other institutional “best minds” are studying ways to battle the ash borer, local land management companies now have the ability to “inoculate” ash trees to give them a fighting chance against the pest.

Aiding local agriculture by being aware, vengeful

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive first found in Pennsylvania in 2014 before spreading to New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, as detailed in an MSU article. In 2022, a small breeding population was found in Oakland County, Michigan.


The spotted lanternfly are most often seen in tree-of-heaven (an invasive, fast-growing tree found sporadically throughout Michigan), wild and cultivated grapevines, as well as silver and red maple, black walnut, butternut, birch, willow and sumac. But there is concern about long-term impact on orchard crops such as apples.

“SLF is also considered a significant nuisance pest in residential landscapes in regions where high populations exist,” authors Heather Leach and Julianna Wilson state in the above mentioned March 2023 MSU article. But the presence of the spotted lanternfly in Michigan “poses a significant threat to the Michigan grape industry and we are asking all growers to be on the lookout for this important new pest.”

Help stop the spread

But the MSU article also lays out how the general public can get involved.

The MSU article details how to spot and report SLF sightings, including reporting findings to Eyes in the Field, a website monitored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or through Kent County’s local MSU Extension Office.

And if a member of the public is not squeamish, there is another possible action.

“If you see only a few SLF, they are easy to kill by squishing adults or immature stages and scraping to remove egg masses,” the article by Leach and Wilson states.

Likewise, according to the Michigan Invasive Species section of Michigan.gov, in order to help stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly, you must:

  • Take a picture
  • Squish it
  • Report it


Garlic mustard: see ‘em, pull ‘em! Eat ‘em?

The first step in battling garlic mustard is recognizing it, and recognizing when and how to attack it — and knowing where to go to for help and support.



Garlic mustard growing along roadways can be spread by mowing crews. (Rebecca Finneran/Michigan State University)



As discussed in great detail in a Michigan State University article written by Rebecca Finneran, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has become one of Michigan’s most notorious woodland invasive weeds.


“A native to Europe, garlic mustard was originally introduced in North America by settlers for its ‘proclaimed’ medicinal properties and use in cooking,” Rebecca Finneran, Michigan State University Extension, writes in the article. “Unfortunately, because of its invasive habit, garlic mustard is rapidly dominating the forest floor, changing woodland habitat for plants and animals alike. Given the chance, it will also invade the home landscape and even take over patches of existing groundcover.”

But the local groups such as the City of Kentwood Park Stewards Program, with its teams of volunteers, are working to battle the plant’s activities.


“It’s a continuing battle and we encourage our park stewards and residents who are confident they can identify the plant to remove it early in the spring before it has a chance to drop its seeds,” said Spencer McKellar, Kentwood Deputy Parks and Recreation Director/Project Manager. “We know it’s a problem at a few locations but this spring we spent time at both the Kentwood Community Garden property (next to Veterans Memorial Park/Kentwood Activities Center) and at Stanaback Park.”

But, he pointed out, this is not a one time fix “but an ongoing and yearly effort that will be needed to keep this particular invasive specie at bay.”

The city, and its effort partner the Kent Conservation District, has held educational workshops and hands-on work parties to help battle not only garlic mustard but the bittersweet vine as well — “This is another one of those troublesome plants that we will have to watch for and note where it’s found for further treatment,” McKellar said.

Mowing not effective

One of the problems with garlic mustard in public places is that mowing often simply cuts them, leaves the roots in place, and can even spread seeds if mowing occurs at the wrong time of the year.

People, though, can battle garlic mustard on their own land and in their own backyard as well, but there are some dos and don’ts.

“Smaller garlic mustard infestations can be controlled with a watchful eye and rigorous hand pulling during spring before other vegetation greens up, with early spring before flowering being ideal,” MSU Extension’s Finneran writes in her article. “The plants are relatively easy to pull, but they are brittle, so be sure you are lifting the entire plant out of the ground and not just breaking off the top.”

Bagging and disposing of pulled plants with municipal waste headed to a landfill or incinerator is allowed in Michigan.

And what is killing my Ash tree?

American ash, or white ash, are local versions of a tree species that have a long cultural history in Europe after likely originating in Africa and Asia Minor, and have been a staple in American woodlands, according to another article published by Michigan State University.


But the invasive emerald ash borer — native to Russia and North eastern Asia, and first discovered in the United States and Michigan in 2002, likely through the import of wood and wooden shipping pallets from those regions — has been spreading and killing local Ash trees in droves for two decades.



The emerald ash borer. (Courtesy, Michigan State University)



There is work being done on ways to help nature control the insects, as happens in its native habitats and as detailed in the MSU article. But the infestation is so new that extensive studies must come before effective remedies are deployed. 

The emerald ash borer is “considered the most destructive and costly forest insect to ever invade North America.”

The emerald ash borer (EAB) “is now in 35 states, five Canadian provinces and is considered the most destructive and costly forest insect to ever invade North America,” Deborah McCullough, MSU forest entomology professor, states in the article.

“In the case of EAB, there was very little known about this insect when it was discovered, and in many ways, we started from scratch,” McCullough said. “We needed to learn the life cycle of the insect and develop methods to survey it, control it, and to tell people confidently what they could expect about impacts.”

What is known, however, is that there is a usually effective treatment available from local arborists and landcare companies to inoculate trees with minor infections.

Pressurized trunk infusion to the rescue

“TREE-äge (Emamectin Benzoate) came to the rescue in our fight to save ash trees from the emerald ash borer,” Nick Clement, an arborist with All Season Lawn Care, said to WKTV.  “The chemical is delivered via a pressurized trunk infusion. Holes are drilled into the base of the trunk of the tree and self-sealing injection ports are installed. The injection needles are then inserted into the ports and the chemical is pushed into the cambium of the tree.”

Once the tree has been treated, the chemical provides two seasons of residual control in the tree, he added.

For more information

For general information about Michigan’s invasive species, visit michigan.gov/invasives.


For more information on local invasive species and how to get involved with the Kent Conservation District’s efforts, visit here.

Snapshot: Things to get you out of the house this weekend

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,

Although I cannot see your face. As you flip these poems awhile, Somewhere from some far-off place I hear you laughing–and I smile.

Shel Silverstein


By Faith Morgan
WKTV Intern



Rosa Parks Circle (Experience GR)

Listen to podcasts in the park

If you’re in need of some fresh air, Bridge GR will be hosting multiple podcasts live at Rosa Parks Circle from 2-5:3 pm. Saturday, Oct. 3. Hear from podcast hosts of “Full Exposure” and “In My Humble Opinion,” along with other speakers on the obstacles and opportunity of diversity in Grand Rapids.

Party on Division

Kids driving you crazy at home? Open and free to the public, Division United hosts fun, family-friendly events this weekend from 5-9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at the corner of Division Avenue and Logan Street and Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. – 3 pm. there are two events, one at the corner of Division Avenue and Burton Street and the the other at Division Avenue and 43rd Street. From games to food and learning about the cultures on Division, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Fight Invasive Species

Are you passionate about caring for the environment? The city of Kentwood has partnered with Kent Conservation District Invasive Species Strike Team to educate people on the invasive vines harming our tree canopy. Volunteer and learn about different types of invasive species from 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Covenant Park, 3402 36th St. SE.

Dachshund Bobblehead (Google)

Fun Fact: Dachshund Bobbleheads

The first dachshund bobblehead was manufactured as a car accessory in Germany in 1970. Dachshunds are the short-legged breed of dogs commonly known as “wiener dogs.” In the 1990s, a German gas station chain used this “Wackeldackel” or bobbling dachshund, in an advertising campaign and within eight months of the advertisement’s launch, more than 500,000 dachshund bobbleheads were sold.

The original Wackeldackel or bobbling dachshund. Ach guck mal / CC BY

Kentwood seeks volunteers to help save trees by combating vines

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Environment, ,
The City of Kentwood has partnered with Kent Conversation District Invasive Species Strike Team to help remove invasive plants from the city. (Kent Conversation District)

By Faith Morgan
WKTV Intern

Wanted: residents willing to roll up there sleeves, who do not mind getting dirty, and want to protect and improve the tree canopy within the City of Kentwood.

The City of Kentwood is tackling the issue of invasive species, specifically vines harming trees in the City of Kentwood. To aid in the cause, the city recently partnered with the Kent Conservation District Invasive Species Strike Team to educate community members on common invasive species.

These invasive species are incredibly harmful to trees. The vines can strangle a tree blocking it from delivering nutrients from the sun and rainfall to its roots. Over time this can cause the tree to wilt and eventually die.

“The City is pleased to join forces with the Kent Conservation District to educate residents on how to save our trees from the invasive vines that are harming them throughout the community,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “All residents are invited to participate in one of the education sessions for the training necessary to stop the on-going damage to our trees.”

KCD Invasive Species Strike team is having training sessions on the following dates (you do need to attend one training to participate in the program):

  • Monday, Sept. 28, 6-7 p.m. at Northeast Park (1900 Middleground Dr. SE)
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6-7 p.m. at East Paris Nature Park (5995 East Paris Ave. SE)
  • Wednesday, Sept. 30, 4-5 p.m. at Stanaback Park (3717 Whitebud Dr. SE)
  • Thursday, Oct. 1, 6-7 p.m. at Stauffer Station Park (2360 52nd St. SE)
  • Saturday, Oct. 3, 10-11 a.m. at Covenant Park (3402 36th St. SE)

At these sessions you receive a hands-on experience to learn what invasive species are, what they look like, and how to dispose of them.

Wild grapes in southeast Michigan. (Wasrts / CC BY-SA)

After attending one of these training days, volunteers are invited take part in tackling vines in Northeast Park from 9 a.m. to noon on Sat., Oct. 10. The Kent Conservation District will guide volunteers and provide any necessary equipment. For this event, volunteers are recommended to wear clothing appropriate for physical outdoor work and weather conditions, such as long sleeves, pants and closed-toed shoes.

Trees in City of Kentwood are immensely important as they help to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Trees also help to remove pollutants from the air and soil. More importantly, for homeowners, trees can increase property value.

These invasive species combat the growth of trees in City of Kentwood. Some of these even release toxic chemicals into the soil which can harm native plant species. Some of the more commonly known species in Michigan are oriental bittersweet, wild grape and poison ivy.

Trained residents also have the option to do self-directed work as long as they communicate with the Department of Public Works on where and when the work was completed, so staff can follow up if necessary. The City hopes to host more trainings and events in other parks in the future.

For more details, community members may visit kentwood.us/vinevolunteers.

Spotted lanternfly: A colorful cause for concern

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Pets/Animals, ,
Adult spotted lanternfly. Photo by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

By Anne E. Johnson, Deborah McCullough and Rufus Isaacs, Michigan State University Department of Entomology


Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is a sap-feeding insect native to China and other parts of Southeast Asia. It was first found in the United States in 2014 in Berks County, southeastern Pennsylvania and has been spreading since then. As of May 2019, confirmed observations of spotted lanternfly (SLF) had been recorded in at least 12 additional counties in Pennsylvania and in localized areas of five other states: Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and New York.


This invasive pest can feed on at least 70 species of trees, as well as vines and shrubs, including fruit trees, hops, grapevines and several hardwoods. Spotted lanternfly can be easily spread to new locations when people accidentally transport eggs or other life stages into new areas. Quarantines have been established to prevent further spread of SLF life stages by people moving infested material. Residents or visitors to areas where SLF occurs should be aware of the risks of moving this invasive pest. Check vehicles and any outdoor items for egg masses or other life stages before leaving areas where SLF has been reported.


Spotted lanternfly females can lay their eggs on nearly any surface including vehicles, patio furniture and outdoor equipment, as well as trees. This means SLF can be easily spread over long distances if people move the articles bearing the eggs.

Impacts

Spotted lanternfly feeds by sucking sap from the stems and trunks of a wide variety of plants. At high SLF densities, this feeding can reduce vigor of trees and vines. Dead shoots on some hosts, particularly black walnut trees, have been observed in Pennsylvania.

Spotted lanternfly adults on an apple tree in Pennsylvania. Photo by Erica Smyers, Penn State University.

To feed on plant sap, SLF pierce the bark, creating wounds that can allow plant pathogens to infect trees. Immature and adult SLFs excrete tremendous amounts of sugary honeydew as they feed, which lands on plants around and beneath them. This sticky honeydew attracts other pests, particularly hornets, wasps and ants, causing more annoyance for people in affected areas and complicating crop harvests. Black sooty mold grows on the honeydew, affecting the appearance and potentially the health of herbaceous plants, shrubs and seedlings beneath infested trees. Sooty mold can reduce the amount of light reaching the surface of the leaves, decreasing photosynthesis rates.

Host trees

Tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is a highly preferred and perhaps required host for SLF. Tree of heaven is native to China, but was widely planted in much of the eastern U.S. decades ago for erosion control. It was also planted as an ornamental street tree in many municipalities. Female trees produce abundant seeds and tree of heaven can grow on a variety of soils, including disturbed areas. Tree of heaven is now considered an invasive plant and has spread across much of the United States.


While tree of heaven is a highly preferred host, reports from Pennsylvania indicate SLF can also feed on American beech, basswood, sycamore, big-toothed aspen, black birch, black cherry, black gum, black walnut, assorted dogwoods, Japanese snowbell, maples, oaks, paper birch, pignut hickory, pines, sassafras, serviceberry, slippery elm, tulip tree, white ash and willows. Many of these species are commercially important as ornamental or timber trees. While SLF has not killed any trees in the U.S. to date, continued spread of this invader concerns many foresters and arborists.

Fruit trees and vines

The greatest economic impacts of SLF may result from its ability to feed on many types of crop plants. Tree hosts of SLF include apple, plum, cherry, peach and apricot. High densities of SLF have also been observed on grape vines and on hops vines. Neither the immature nor adult SLFs feed on the fruits themselves, but large numbers of insects feeding on these plants during the harvest season can affect fruit quality. The insects remove significant amounts of sap and the sooty mold can contaminate berries. This can reduce marketable yields, delay fruit ripening and reduce winter tolerance to cold weather.

Effects on humans?

Spotted lanternflies cannot harm humans directly, as they neither bite nor sting, but their presence, outdoors and indoors, can be unpleasant.

Identification and life cycle

Spotted lanternfly completes one generation per year (see figure). Eggs are laid in a mass coated in an off-white or gray substance, which cracks and darkens to a grayish-brown over time. Egg masses resemble a small patch of mud or “seed pods” and can be found on vehicles, tree trunks, boulders and stones, bricks and other outdoor surfaces. Eggs hatch in spring and the small black nymphs with white spots begin feeding. Spotted lanternflies will complete four stages, called instars, as immature nymphs before becoming adults. First, second and third instar nymphs are black with white markings, Fourth instar nymphs are reddish-orange with black and white markings.

The nymphs eventually develop into adults, the only stage with wings. Adult SLF are about an inch long and half an inch wide, with grayish forewings with black spots and red, white and black striped hindwings. A few adults may appear in mid-summer but they are most common in late summer and fall.


After mating, adult females lay eggs, usually beginning in September and continuing through November or even early December. Eggs overwinter until the following April or May, when the first instar nymphs hatch and begin feeding.

Control and management

Preventing or at least slowing the spread of SLF is important to minimize impacts and control costs. When leaving an area where SLF is present, check vehicles and outdoor equipment for egg masses or any other life stages. Do not move nursery trees, firewood, mulch or related materials out of quarantined areas. Keep windows of vehicles rolled up in areas where adult SLFs are active and avoid parking below infested trees.


Egg masses that are accessible can be scraped off and destroyed, eliminating insects that would otherwise hatch and feed. Use a stick, plastic card, putty knife or similar tool to scrape eggs into a container filled with alcohol, hand sanitizer or very soapy water to kill the eggs. Eggs can also be burned in a campfire. Simply mashing eggs is often not entirely effective. Some residents in Pennsylvania have wrapped plastic wrap tightly around tree trunks and then coated it with a sticky substance to capture nymphs as they climb up the trunk to feed on the younger shoots. These sticky bands may be useful if SLF densities are high. Bands will need to be checked and replaced at least every other week.


Other insects and occasionally small birds or even small mammals may be accidentally trapped in the sticky bands. Surrounding the sticky band with wire or mesh can help prevent birds and mammals from being captured.


In Pennsylvania, removing tree of heaven, the preferred host, appears to reduce local abundance of SLF. Cutting down female trees (those producing seeds), or killing the trees with a herbicide containing triclopyr will limit establishment of new trees of heaven.

Adults are about 1 inch long and show little of the red color when wings are closed. Photo by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org.

Adopting a trap tree approach can be even more effective. Select a male tree of heaven (one that does not produce seeds) and remove or fell other trees of heaven in the vicinity. Treat the remaining “trap tree” with a systemic insecticide product containing dinotefuran as the active ingredient. Systemic insecticides are transported up the trunk and into the canopy and will control SLF nymphs and adults when they try to feed on treated trees. This control method works best June through August. Insecticides can be used on their own to control SLF on other host trees as well. Only use insecticides registered with the EPA and follow all application and personal safety instructions on the label.


Ongoing research on SLF is likely to generate new information every year. Up-to-date information on SLF can be found on websites hosted by Pennsylvania State University, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS.

What to do if you find a suspected SLF in Michigan

Report what you found to one of the following:

For general information

Download printable handout of this article.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).


Invasive pests continue to pose a threat to our forest resources

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, , , ,

Sentinel tree tag for identification of a tree entered into the Eyes on the Forest program. | Photo by Michigan State University Extension

By Mike Schira, Michigan State University Extension

 

Supported by expanding international imports into the country, new and potentially devastating tree pests, both insects and disease, are being introduced to our woodland and landscape trees. Many of these new exotic species won’t find suitable host species or conditions and will simply die off, a few will be successful in becoming established.

 

Newly established exotic species, having been introduced from other regions of the globe, have no natural enemies or pathogens to hold their numbers down. Unchecked, these new pest species can spread rapidly thereby being labeled as invasive with the potential of devastating their host species.

 

Examples of past impacts are the losses of American chestnut and elm from both our urban landscapes and forest stands. The loss of the American chestnut and elm affected not only the trees, but also the wildlife that was dependent on the trees for food and shelter. The lost trees may have been shading stream and river waterways. The loss of shade is contributing to increased water temperatures, which reduces the available dissolved oxygen and causes a reduction of fish populations.

 

Currently beach bark disease, emerald ash borer and oak wilt are examples of exotic species that have become established and are working their way through many of our forest stands, leaving dead skeletons of once healthy trees as they move through.

 

Spotted lanternfly was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. It feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees.

In an effort to enable early detection of new invasive tree pests, Michigan State University Extension has developed the Eyes on the Forest program. With initial funding from a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant, this ongoing program is an effort to establish a network of sentinel trees across the state. Volunteer enthusiasts select the sentinel tree of their choosing and report on the trees overall general health using the online Midwest Invasive Species Network.

 

Hopefully, with a strong enough network of sentinel trees, we can achieve early detection of new tree pests and work to eliminate them before they can become established. For more information on the program, visit the MSU Extension Eyes on the Forest website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).