8/28 Forest Entomology: Watching for the invasion

Native forest insects are valuable parts of a healthy forest ecosystem but exotic pests do not belong here and can quickly become invasive, damaging or killing trees and destroying wildlife habitat. Early detection and rapid response are the best ways to ensure we don’t lose any of our valuable forests to these invaders.  

Part of the role of a Forest Steward is to be the on-the-ground eyes and ears of the Partnership. The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture (WSDA and USDA) need our help in detecting the presence or absence of exotic invasive tree-boring insects. Forest Stewards will be trained on how to detect these species, and how to respond if there are any found. 

The WSDA and USDA representatives will teach Forest Stewards about some of the exotic forest pests which have the potential to invade our forests.  They will go over how Forest Stewards and other volunteers can help the state’s pest detection programs by looking for signs of insect activity in their own communities and neighborhoods.  They will show how to identify presence or absence of invasive forest insects, and how to record and submit survey information. 

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