This Month in Plant Protection Today - Using Biological Control to Protect Trees and Forest Health

Stingless Wasps Defend Ash Trees and Battle the Emerald Ash Borer

United States Department of Agriculture April 2021 Plant Protection Today   Stingless Wasps Defend Ash Trees and Battle the Emerald Ash Borer For years ash trees had been declining and dying in southeast Michigan for no apparent reason. Then in 2002, the Michigan Department of Agriculture discovered why—it was a small wood-boring beetle called emerald ash borer (EAB). Soon after it was detected, USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program sent PPQ and Forest Service scientists to China to look for EAB's natural enemies in its native range. They found three wasp species (parasitoids) attacking EAB eggs and larvae, and brought them back to study—hopeful that at least one species could be safely released as a biological control (biocontrol) against the pest. Read more.   Check Out These Other Stories Explore USDA's Plant Protection Interactive Maps Using Data to Tackle the Dangerous Mail Pest Pathway How 3 Nations Protect Plant Health Across a Continent During the Pandemic, PPQ Innovates to Deliver Its Mission Tracking the Elusive Asian Giant Hornet The Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program Protecting U.S. Specialty Crops from a Dangerous Disease  About Plant Protection Today Every day, USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) employees collaborate with many partners, cooperators, and stakeholders to protect plant health. To stay on the leading edge, PPQ explores scientific frontiers, develops new plant protection methods, and makes critical advancements. These efforts safeguard our nation's agricultural and natural resources while facilitating the safe global trade of agricultural products. Plant Protection Today highlights some of PPQ's most successful and impactful programs and activities. Please send your feedback and comments to: PPQ.Plant.Protection.Today@usda.gov Questions about APHIS programs and services? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service · 4700 River Rd · Riverdale, MD 20737