[CANUFNET] Public concerns regarding Aphids

Sat Jul 23 19:37:43 EDT 2016

Greetings group,

Hope you are enjoying this summer weekend. So to compliment some of the elements discussed here, I'd like to share a bit of information about our procedures here in Montreal. Our city works a little differently, with each of the 19 boroughs implementing and overseeing their own management strategies when it comes to maintaining the urban forest. Most divisions only react if levels are critical. Naturally like most cities, rather than measuring population levels, the boroughs measure call levels (the only thing we are equipped to measure at this point). When we get an influx of complaints, we look at mitigating the aphid problem by focusing on information and awareness. If situation is particularly messy, sometimes we opt for spraying the most affected trees with water to dislodge the insects. My colleague is working on a small scale pilot project this year. The project focuses on distributing information and encouraging citizens to modify cultural practices to help curtail the issue (simple practices such as planting, avoiding drastic fertilizing/pruning). Once we have results, it would be my pleasure to share some details on the measures taken.

I work for a borough that has benefited from a collaboration with the city's centralized IPM division. Montreal's IPM division is a small team of individuals with an expertise in entomology, research and regulations. We have had a synthetic-cosmetic pesticide ban in effect for 12 years and have just banned neonics this spring. Therefore the city has devoted some resources to exploring alternatives to conventional pesticide treatments. Over the last three seasons, the IPM division (with the help of summer interns) has conducted its own pilot project centered on bio-control and using predatory wasps to control aphid populations on specific blocks. Seeing as the project is not completed yet, there are no published findings, but you can read about the initiative here : http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-uses-wasps-to-fight-aphids-1.2778772 pictures available here http://montreal2.qc.ca/photosdepresse/Pucerons-du-tilleul

Montreal's IPM division developed its own webpage specifically for issues such as aphids on street trees. The website has some great information and video capsules on current and past IPM projects. Unfortunately, for most subscribers, the info is only available in French http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=7237,74725657&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

The Montreal Botanical Garden has an English-language fact sheet on aphids, their lifecycle, hosts and control measures as well <http://espacepourlavie.ca/carnet-horticole/ravageurs-et-maladies/puceron> http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/green-pages/diseases-pests-and-undesirable-plants/aphids

[http://espacepourlavie.ca/sites/espacepourlavie.ca/files/styles/thumbnail-moyen-carre/public/zygoptera-40338_0.jpg?itok=3h7ZGqsB]<http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/green-pages/diseases-pests-and-undesirable-plants/aphids>

Aphids | Space for life<http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/green-pages/diseases-pests-and-undesirable-plants/aphids>
espacepourlavie.ca
Aphids belong to order Homoptera, along with leafhoppers, whiteflies and scales. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolic insects).

Hope that helps a bit. Keep the great details and info coming.

All the best,

Meg

Meagan Hanna, MA.
meagan.hanna at mail.mcgill.ca
________________________________
From: CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> on behalf of Reny, Robert <RReny at surrey.ca>
Sent: July 21, 2016 2:25:47 PM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Public concerns regarding Aphids

Hi Craig,

Aphid related calls make up approximately 90% of all public IPM service requests received by our Program each year. Over the years, we have tried a number of different strategies to address this issue such as the release of Ladybird beetles, Orthene injection trials, educational campaigns etc. Among all of our efforts, we found the most successful means to address this issue is by responding to the caller in a quick and proactive manner. While we do have information on the City’s website, we don’t provide any hard copy information directly to callers. Here’s the link for information about aphids and City trees on our website: http://www.surrey.ca/community/11591.aspx
Our current method to address aphid calls comprises of a combination of monitoring and soap sprays by an IPM contractor. All calls are received and vetted by our lead IPM staff arborist. Calls such as “I want my tree sprayed” or “My tree is dripping sap” are directly sent to our contractor who will make contact with the caller within 24hours. If the issue has met the City thresholds, then at the time of their initial site visit the tree is posted for a soap spray the following day. An additional spray is then scheduled within 7 to 10 days. Severe cases or repeat callers are then put on a monitoring schedule in the event a second two-part spray is needed. The only calls staff will address internally are callers who are fed up and have requested to have the tree removed or drastically pruned. We feel that in these situations, it is preferable to have staff respond to help placate the issue.
Our monitoring process is based on the severity of ‘honey dew’ rather than an aphid count. The reality with these calls is that we are dealing with the resident’s threshold rather than the tree; we found the following metric a better alternative for tracking and generating control measures.
Honeydew Levels
0.0   -   none
0.5   -   very low
1.0   -   low
1.5   -   moderately low
2.0   -   moderate
2.5   -   moderately heavy
3.0   -   heavy

This year we are exploring the use of repeat high pressure water sprays to help control aphid populations. So far we are seeing some effectiveness with these trial sprays.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
ROB RENY | COORDINATOR, URBAN FORESTRY

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CITY OF SURREY
Parks, Recreation and Culture
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From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Craig Bench
Sent: July-21-16 8:57 AM
To: 'canufnet at list.web.net'
Subject: [CANUFNET] Public concerns regarding Aphids

I would like to ask for some advice from as it pertains to the management of Aphids populating City trees and how Municipalities respond to the public to address the concerns that are a result of the honeydew? After the extended dry and hot summer we experienced last year we have had a real increase in the public’s concern of Aphids with the most susceptible trees being Linden, Tulip Trees and Red Oak. As a result our Parks Management team has requested that we put together an informative fact sheet to provide the public that explains the life cycle of Aphids , our maintenance procedures as it relates to IPM and city by-laws, as well as the benefits of using beneficial insects to achieve acceptable thresholds.

If some of you could share any information or strategies used it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Craig Bench
Supervisor Operations, Urban Forestry and Facilities
t: 604.998.3291 | e: cbench at cnv.org<mailto:cbench at cnv.org>

City of North Vancouver
61 Bewicke Avenue, North Vancouver, BC  V7M 3B6
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