Exotic Pest Surveys

WSDA exotic pest surveys are for the detection, delimitation, and analysis of exotic pests recently found in or threatening the state of Washington. The following reports include survey results, assessments, and outreach/educational information.

Links below lead to online summary versions, for full report (including citations) download PDF version.

Exotic Pests Found in Washington

Apple Clearwing Moth (2008 Survey Report)
Old World Conifer-bark-feeding TortricidCydia coniferana (2005 Delimiting Survey)
Exotic Wireworm, Agriotes spp. (2000 Detection Survey)
Exotic Wireworm, Agriotes spp. (2004 Delimiting Survey)
Exotic Wireworm Agriotes spp. (2005 Delimiting Survey)
Fruit Tree Tortrix, Archips podana (2002 Delimiting Survey)
Poplar Shoot Borer, Gypsonoma aceriana (2000 Delimiting Survey)
Exotic Defoliator Parasitoids (1999 Delimiting Survey)
Large European Crane Fly, Tipula oleracea (1999 Delimiting Survey)

New Pest Alerts

European Seed Bug, Rhyparochromis vulgaris (2001)
Introduced Exotic Seed-Bugs are New and Increasing Nuisance Problems in Areas of Western Washington (2006 Alert Update)

Exotic Pests Threatening Washington

2004 Light Brown Apple Moth
Plum Fruit Moth, Grapholita funebrana (2002 Detection Survey)
Chilean Fruit Tree Leafrollers, Proeulia spp. (2001 Detection Survey)
Leek Moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella (2002 Detection Survey)
European Chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis (2002 Detection Survey)
European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (2000 Detection Survey)

[Top of Page]

Exotic Pests Found in Washington

Apple Clearwing Moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis (2008 Survey Report)

Executive summary: Pheromone-trap surveys in 2008 delimited the apple clearwing moth (ACM), Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkhausen (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), in northern Whatcom County, but did not detect ACM in any other county or at nursery sites importing foreign apple stock in recent years. ACM is a bark-feeding European apple pest new to North America, discovered in B.C., Canada, in 2005, and in Whatcom County in the U.S. in 2006.

Read Full Report in PDF Format View ID

[Top of Page]

Old World Conifer-bark-feeding Tortricid, Cydia coniferana (2005 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: The exotic moth Cydia coniferana (Saxesen, 1840) was detected in western Washington in 2000, and found at 185 sites from Seattle to Vancouver, WA in 2005. Native to Europe and Asia, larvae feed in the bark of many conifer trees. Not considered a significant pest in Europe, it is associated with fungal disease and is a harmful species in western Russia.

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Exotic Wireworm, Agriotes spp. (2000 Detection Survey)

Executive summary: Two European wireworms, Agriotes obscurus (L.) and Agriotes lineatus (L.), (family Elateridae) were documented for the first time in the United States, in Washington State (Vernon and Päts, 1997). This survey confirmed the presence of A. obscuris in Whatcom County, and A. lineatus in Snohomish and Pierce counties. Both species are serious pests of many crops in Europe and B.C., Canada.

Read Full Report in PDF Format View ID

[Top of Page]

Exotic Wireworm,Agriotes spp. (2004 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: Exotic wireworm pests, Agriotes obscurus (L.) and Agriotes lineatus (L.) found in 2000 were delimited in this survey, both species in Pierce and Thurston counties, but not Clark County. Adult beetle activity was recorded.

Read Full Report in PDF Format View ID

[Top of Page]

Exotic Wireworm, Agriotes spp. (2005 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: Exotic wireworms, (Agriotes obscurus (L.) and Agriotes lineatus (L.)), distribution was recorded across western Washington into western Oregon in this collaborative regional survey (WSDA - ODA). High populations in rural areas and impacts to corn and organic row-crop production were also documented in a Co-op Master Gardener survey in King County.

Read Full Report in PDF Format View ID

[Top of Page]

Fruit Tree Tortrix, Archips podana (2002 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: First U.S. occurrence of the European leafroller pest, Archips podana, previously known to be in B.C., Canada, is reported. Current distribution in Washington is limited to part of Whatcom County, adjacent to B.C. The species was reared from apple, native hawthorn, mountain ash, plum, and amelanchier (serviceberry).

Read Full Report in PDF Format View ID

[Top of Page]

Poplar Shoot Borer, Gypsonoma aceriana (2000 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: The first North American detection of this European species is reported from Washington in 2000 and widespread occurrence in western Washington documented in 2001.  Considered the most serious poplar pest in Europe, a small stem-boring moth, larvae bore into growing tips of cottonwood and most poplar varieties, deforming and stunting tip and tree growth.

Read Full Report in PDF Format View ID

[Top of Page]

Exotic Defoliator Parasitoids (1999 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: Parasitoids attacking recently discovered exotic defoliators in western Washington are evaluated and identification graphics are provided.

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Large European Crane Fly, Tipula oleracea (1999 Delimiting Survey)

Executive summary: A second European crane fly pest, new to North America was found in B.C., Canada, in 1998 and for the first time, in the U.S., in Washington and Oregon in 1999. Survey and identification methods development and limitations are presented. Biology, phenology, and potential impacts are discussed.

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

New Pest Alerts

European Seed Bug, Rhyparochromis vulgaris (2001)

Executive summary: Specimens of a seed-bug submitted to WSDA by a homeowner in Orting (Pierce County) in mid-October 2001, have been tentatively identified as an European species not previously found in North America.
A preliminary identification of the insect was provided by Dr. Tom Henry, entomologist with USDA ARS Systematic Entomology Lab, based on digital images of specimens sent by the Olympia Entomology lab. The species is tentatively identified as; Rhyparochromis (near vulgaris) (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae), one of numerous species in a European genus that is commonly associated with fallen seeds (generally referred to as Lygaeoid seed-bugs).

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Introduced Exotic Seed-Bugs are New and Increasing Nuisance Problems in Areas of Western Washington (2006 Alert Update)

Executive summary: Since the discovery of an introduced, exotic seed-bug by a homeowner in Orting (Pierce County) in 2001, populations of this species have steadily spread and increased. Large numbers have been reported from areas from King County south to Lewis County in the fall and spring. Increasing distribution and high populations of an introduced exotic seed-bug is reported and a second exotic species is found in Washington State.

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Exotic Pests Threatening Washington

2004 Light Brown Apple Moth

Executive summary: Native to Europe and Asia, the light-brown apple moth (LBAM) is a highly polyphagous foliage feeder that attacks many ornamental plants as well as grapes, apple, pear, and other fruit trees, damaging leaves and developing fruits. (Not detected in this survey.)

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Plum Fruit Moth, Grapholita funebrana (2002 Detection Survey)

Executive summary: Plum fruit moth is an important Eurasian / North African pest of plums and related Prunus treefruit. The exotic pest was not detected in this 382-trap survey of western Washington.

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Chilean Fruit Tree Leafrollers, Proeulia spp. (2001 Detection Survey)

Executive summary: Tortricid moth leafrollers are important pests of many crops in the U.S. and worldwide. The genus Proeulia, which is indigenous to Chile and Argentina, includes several pests of tree fruit, grapes, and many other crops grown in the Pacific Northwest. (Not detected in this survey.)

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

Leek Moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella (2002 Detection Survey)

Executive summary: Leek moth is an important Asian pest of onions and related Allium spp. Larval feeding damages all parts of the plant, including bulbs, which causes rot in storage. An established population found in the Ottawa, Canada, area in the early 1990's is the only known North American occurrence. (Not detected in this survey.)

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

European Chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis (2002 Detection Survey)

Executive summary: European chafer is an exotic, root feeding beetle pest introduced into the Northeastern U.S. earlier this century, and recently found established in B. C., Canada. In the Northeast, it has caused serious impacts to turf, grain, and other crops and is now considered the worst pest of these commodities in some areas. This light-trap detection survey of areas in Northwestern Washington, closest to the known infested site in B.C., Canada, did not detect adult beetles. (Not detected in this survey.)

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]

European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (2000 Detection Survey)

Executive summary: The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an economic pest of many agricultural commodities and a destructive pest of many ornamental and native plants as well. Native to Europe, it was introduced into Eastern North America early this century, and currently is found in most states east of the Rocky Mountains. (Not detected in this survey.)

Read Full Report in PDF Format

[Top of Page]