Walnut Twig Beetle/Thousand Cankers Disease Survey.

Roberts, Leah

Field Methods: We intend to trap for beetles in the area in and around the park by several methods. Regarding traps INSIDE the park, we will use only the method that park and permitting staff are most comfortable with. The possible methods are: (1) using a Lindgren multi-funnel trap baited with ethanol lure with a dry collection cup (because we hope to isolate fungi from these insects they cannot be exposed to antifreeze, which is the usual method used in wet cup collection) (2) hoisting sections of branches cut from a healthy walnut tree into one of the known infected trees for approximately one month and subsequently allowing insects to emerge in a quarantine facility (located in Raleigh, NC) or (3) using sticky prism traps baited with an ethanol lure. Regarding method (2), the sections of branches would be approx. 3 inches diameter and 12-18 inches long and would be suspended high in the canopy of trees using a throw weight and line. We would trap areas known to have a history of thousand cankers disease, specifically Cataloochee Cove and the Big Creek campground area. I expect to hang no more than 5 traps total in the park. We will use only one of the above listed methods in the park with the preference being cut branches. However, we will use one of the other methods if that is not acceptable. The wood would be collected by NCDA staff from healthy walnut located as close to the park as possible. Ideally I would like to hang traps twice, during June (for up to one month) and again in September (for up to one month).