Purdue releases 'most unwanted' pest list for Indiana
By Kay Hagen
Ag Communications
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Specialists at Purdue University, with help from state and federal agencies, have taken the concept of a most wanted list one step further and developed a most unwanted list of invasive species in Indiana.
"The unwanted list changes every year based on the invasive species that cause the most concern for the state," said Christopher Pierce, state survey coordinator for the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS). "This year, we're focusing our efforts on species such as the Old World bollworm because it affects so many horticultural and agricultural crops, invasive wood-boring bark beetles that could affect Indiana forests and the giant African land snail because of its human health concerns."
About 100 other invasive species, including pathogens, weeds, insects and other arthropods, are on the most unwanted list, which is available at the new CAPS website. The site also provides pictures and host information about the invasive species.
"Some invasive species like emerald ash borer and European gypsy moth are pretty well-known. There are a lot of other things out there that go bump in the night, and we're on the lookout for them," Pierce said.
Lesser-known species like the oak ambrosia beetle and black stem rust are on Pierce's list to watch out for. He heads the survey program that looks for invasive species to ensure these invaders don't get a foothold in the state.
Through the efforts of the survey program, Pierce is able to compile reports and pest alerts to get the word out about approaching invasive species. Those alerts and publications are distributed to specialists and the public.
"The website and publications detail insects, plant pathogens, weeds and arthropods that have the potential to cost the state a lot of money," Pierce said. "Many of the pests listed on the site haven't hit the state yet, but we're watching for them and working to keep them out."
For Hoosiers concerned that they might have found an invasive species, the site details how to submit samples to Purdue's Plant and Pest Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL). The PPDL is in constant contact with Pierce to alert him if any invasive species make it into the state.
"PPDL is the central repository for samples in Indiana. By submitting samples to the PPDL, we're able to maintain a list of what's in the state," Pierce said.
CAPS is a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary program of the United States Department of Agriculture. Purdue entomology runs the Indiana portion of the program in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Indiana CAPS committee includes members of Purdue Extension, Purdue entomology, Purdue horticulture and landscape architecture, Purdue botany and plant pathology, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, the Extension Disaster Education Network and USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service's Plant Protection and Quarantine.
Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu
Source: Christopher Pierce, (765) 494-9522, cpierce@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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