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USDA provides nearly $100,000 for Maryland surveys that protect agriculture, plants from pests, diseases

VineyardsWASHINGTON, D.C. (March 24, 2015) — The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will receive nearly $100,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) via the 2014 Farm Bill to support projects designed to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests, diseases and pathogens. The economic stakes for stopping invasive species are high, with USDA scientists estimating the total economic cost of all invasive species to be approximately $120 billion annually.

“We are proud and excited to participate in these important projects to help better understand and address the pressures on honeybees and challenges for beekeepers,” said MDA Assistant Secretary for Plant Industries Carol Holko.

The supported projects are listed below:

  • $35,000 for a Phytophthora ramorum Survey: The nursery industry is the second largest agricultural commodity in Maryland. Based on a crop cash value of more than $400 million, it is the number one cash crop in the state. The large nursery industry in the United States allows for the free flow of most nursery stock, increasing the possibility of establishing Phytophthora ramorum. Because many large nurseries receive plants from areas known to have P. ramorum, a survey to test these highly susceptible stocks is crucial in marketing Maryland plant stock as free from P. ramorum.
  • $32,000 for a Grape Commodity Survey: Many Maryland wineries buy grapes from other states for their wine production. The movement of grapes (fruits and vines), both into and out of our state, makes it easier for an invasive pest to be introduced or established in Maryland. Surveys of these vineyards are important in keeping the industry safe from these harmful pests.
  • $18,300 for Asian Giant Hornet and Other Invasive Vespa Species Detection and Mitigation: If the Asian Giant Hornet and other invasive vespa species are introduced into the United States, honey bee colonies would be killed at an enormous rate and the effect on crop pollination could be disastrous. Many crops and farmers depend on honey bees to improve both crop yield and quality. These hornets have also killed humans. Monitoring and surveying and having a plan in place if these hornets would be introduced will help mitigate and eradicate these invasive, deadly hornets before they become established.
  • $12,000 for the National Honey Bee Pests and Disease Survey: The funding will help Maryland participate in this USDA-APHIS funded national bee survey to document which bee diseases, parasites and pests of honey bees are and are not present in the United States.

(For a comprehensive description of these surveys, see the appendix at the end of this release.)

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sought suggestions from states and U.S. territories, universities, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private companies and tribal organizations for projects that would provide a direct impact in managing pests and diseases, as well as disaster prevention. APHIS is funding 438 suggestions across the United States, as well as in Guam and Puerto Rico. The projects approved for allocation will help states and other partners continue providing and strengthening protections against agricultural threats and could also allow the reallocation of resources to other critical programs. More than $1.8 million in grants were awarded in Maryland. Other grantees were academic institutions and federal agencies.

Prospective projects were evaluated by teams comprised of USDA experts and industry representatives and were selected based on criteria that supported six goals – enhancing plant pest/disease analysis and survey; targeting domestic inspection activities at vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum; enhancing and strengthening pest identification and technology; safeguarding nursery production; enhancing mitigation capabilities; and conducting outreach and education about these issues. The teams also evaluated submissions based on expected impacts of the project, the technical approach, and how submissions would complement ongoing USDA programs and other previously funded projects.

“Through the Farm Bill we are working with our partners and stakeholders to not only ensure the global competitiveness of our specialty crop producers but to fight back against the destruction caused by invasive pests,” said USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack in announcing the grants. “The projects and centers funded through this effort are helping to develop and put in place the strategies, methods and treatments that safeguard our crops, plants, and our natural resources from invasive threats.”

 

Section 10007 of the 2014 Farm Bill supports two programs: Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention projects and the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN). The Farm Bill provided $62.5 million for these programs in fiscal year 2015, though funding was reduced by sequestration.

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Appendix: Maryland Department of Maryland Surveys Receiving Support from USDA-APHIS

ramorum Survey

This survey is a continuation of the 2014 P. ramorum survey conducted in Maryland. As nursery stock continues to enter Maryland from infested areas in the United States, a continuation of the 2014 survey is crucial for the Maryland nursery industry. The nursery industry is the second largest agricultural commodity in Maryland. Based on a crop cash value of more than $400 million, it is the number one cash crop in the state. The large nursery industry in the United States allows for the free flow of most nursery stock, increasing the possibility of establishing Phytophthora ramorum. Because many large nurseries receive plants from areas known to have P. ramorum, a survey to test these highly susceptible stocks is crucial in marketing Maryland plant stock as free from P. ramorum. The movement of nursery stock both into and out of our state increases the likelihood of possible establishment of this disease; introduction and establishment of P. ramorum would be extremely harmful to the industry in the state and outside. Maryland nurseries receive considerable trace forward nursery stock and this survey will help in monitoring these samples. This survey would help the Maryland nursery industry by declaring this area free from this disease and allow for the increased marketability of Maryland nursery stock both within the country and internationally. The survey also assists in strengthening the present USDA quarantine.

A survey of 10 sites will be completed at nurseries that are known to receive and ship hosts of P. ramorum. The selected nurseries will also have greenhouse production. The P. ramorum survey will follow the national P. ramorum survey protocol. Survey will be conducted throughout the growing season. All P. ramorum samples will be screened by MDA’s plant disease specialist, following USDA’s protocols. Any probable positive finds will be forwarded to the designated USDA APHIS PPQ pathologist for final confirmation. Success of this project will be measured by the ability to collect plant material and test it for P. ramorum, as well as review data in a timely matter.

The work will run from March 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015. Prior to the beginning of the survey, nurseries will be contacted and permission obtained, training will begin, and lab supplies will be acquired. The P. ramorum field survey will run May-September and is dependent on weather and temperature. It will be run according to the national survey protocol.

 

Grape Commodity Survey

The grape industry is on the increase in Maryland and is one of the largest specialty crops in our state.   The latest MD vineyard survey, in 2010, shows there were 49 vineyards in MD, with a potential increase of an additional 25 vineyards by 2015. In 2011 it was estimated that the Maryland wine sales were $24.4 million and it is projected to increase in the upcoming years. As vineyards grow in popularity within the agricultural community, the potential of insect and disease problems also increase. Many of these wineries buy grapes from other states to include in their wine production. The movement of grapes (fruits and vines), both into and out of our state, increases the likelihood of a possible introduction and establishment of an invasive pest. Surveys of these vineyards are important in keeping the industry safe from these harmful pests. Vineyards are found throughout the state and if one of these pests were to become introduced and established it would be very harmful to the industry and other agricultural resources, early detection can minimize this risk. This survey would help the industry by declaring this area free of these significant pests and increase the marketability of Maryland’s grapes and wine.

A survey will be conducted at 15 sites throughout Maryland. The focus will be on larger vineyards with five or more acres of grapes. The target pests include Autographa gamma (silver Y moth), Epiphyas postvittana (light brown apple moth), Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth) and Spodoptera littoralis (Egyptian cotton leafworm). The survey will run from June-October. Prior to setting-up of traps (spring), growers will be contacted and permission granted for the placement of traps, training will begin and trapping supplies will be acquired. All sites will be checked bi-weekly during the survey season. All samples will be screened by the Maryland Department of Agriculture taxonomist. Any probable positive finds will be sent to the designated USDA APHIS PPQ identifier for confirmation. There will also be two plant pathogens visually surveyed for. They include Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense (grapevine yellows) and Phellinus noxius (brown root rot). The disease survey will consist of one visual survey at each vineyard presently being surveyed. All plant pathogens will be processed at MDA by our plant disease specialist and any suspect finds will be sent on to the required USDA APHIS PPQ lab.

Giant Asian Hornet Survey:

(This is a joint survey with Pennsylvania, Florida and Hawaii, with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture leading the survey.)

The Asian Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia, the world’s largest hornet, is currently found in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indochina, Thailand, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and parts of Russia. This hornet is a true hornet and a member of the genus Vespa which includes the Vespa crabro (European hornet), Vespa mongolica (hornet found in Japan which has destroyed many honey bees), and a number of other species. These species of hornets are not native to the United States. However, the European hornet, which is found in a number of locations across Europe and Asia, was discovered in New York State after it was accidently introduced in the 1800’s. Unfortunately, this hornet is now well established in parts of the United States and Canada.

The Asian Giant Hornet queen will over-winter in rotten wood or the soil, and especially in rotten pine roots. In the spring, she will begin to build a subterranean nest. As the colony grows, more food is needed. Large to medium size insects, including other hornet species, mantises, and especially honey bees, are the hornets’ main sources of food. The Asian Giant Hornets are unique in their ability to use visual and chemical cues to assist each other in finding a bee hive which they are then able to attack as a group. There are several phases of search and attack of a honey bee hive. Once a hive is selected for attack, the hornets will not move to another hive until the attacked hive is decimated. During an attack, a single hornet may kill as many as 40 honey bees per minute by decapitating the bees. A hive with 30,000 bees can be destroyed in three hours by about 30 hornets. Usually only one or two hornets die during this slaughter. The hornets will then aggressively guard the conquered hive as they continue to visit the hive for a number of days, removing the honey bee pupae and then the larvae and feed it to their young. The Asian Giant Hornet will also make “meatballs” of chewed up adult bee parts to feed to its young.

This potentially invasive insect has the ability to kill a tremendous number of honey bees. The Asian Giant Hornet can fly up to 40 km/h (25 mph) and as far as 100 kilometers (60 miles) in one day.

The number of honey bees in the United States has decreased due to a variety of issues already facing honey bees and beekeepers. These obstacles including Varroa mites, viruses and diseases, pesticide issues, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), environmental, and more have been and continued to be studied. Even if there are only a few invasive hornets around a hive, the honey bees’ activities are altered. More time is spent guarding the hive and less time is spent collecting pollen and nectar. Weakened hives are more susceptible to other problems, including predators and diseases.

If the Asian Giant Hornet would be introduced into the United States, honey bee colonies would be killed and the effect on crop pollination could be disastrous since many crops and farmers depend on honey bees to improve both crop yield and quality. Some crops, like almonds, are completely dependent on honey bees for pollination. In Pennsylvania alone, it has been calculated that one hive, not on a farm or orchard, provides well over $1,000 worth of local pollination services. The value of pollination services in the United States is in the millions of dollars every year.

Ongoing research in France is showing that invasive hornets will attack other native insects including social wasps, other Hymenoptera species, several types of flies and other native pollinators. While the research is not complete, it stands to reason that if the invasive hornets are killing these and possibly other native insects, there will be an adverse effect on these insects and the plants they pollinate. It is difficult to place an accurate dollar value on the loss or decrease of this unmanaged, but important pollination service.

In addition to its devastating effects on honey bees, the Asian Giant Hornet, can and does kill humans. With a body length of 27-45 mm and a 6.35 mm stinger, these hornets are capable of causing an extremely painful sting and have caused the death of a number of people from anaphylactic shock, cardiac arrest, and/or multiple organ failure.

As State Apiarists and those concerned with honey bees, we feel that monitoring and surveying for Vespa mandarinia, as well as other Vespa species, and having a plan in place if these hornets would be introduced, will provide our best chance of mitigation/eradication of these invasive, deadly hornets before they become established in North America. There is no advantage to having Asian Giant Hornets in the United States, but there is much to lose if they do arrive.

Survey Details: Survey/monitoring traps would be hung, especially around key shipping and receiving or transportation areas, as well as those high risk areas mentioned above. The traps would be monitored on a regular basis. The State’s Entomologist would identify and record collected insects. Data would be entered in the NAPIS data base.

National Honey Bee Survey:

(Note:  This description is completed by USDA and given to the state to include in there work plans)Honeybee

USDA-APHIS is funding a national bee survey to document which bee diseases, parasites and pests of honey bees are and are not present in the United States. This survey is sponsored by APHIS in collaboration with ARS and the University of Maryland. The effort is primarily geared at establishing the absence of exotic bee pests including, but not limited to, the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps, the Asian honey bee (Apis ceranae) and Slow Paralysis Virus. To maximize the information gained from this survey effort, samples will be analyzed for other diseases and parasites known to be present in the United States.

This survey is also being conducted to investigate potential causes of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a significant disappearance of honey bee colonies that may be affecting bees in more than 22 states and threatens the production of crops dependent on bees for pollination as well as honey production. Pollination is responsible for $15 billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. Of the 2.4 million colonies of bees in the United States, the almond crop in California alone requires more than 1.5 million colonies, and this need is projected to increase significantly over the next few years. The bee industry is facing difficulty meeting the demand for pollination in almonds because of bee production shortages in California. Consequently, growers depend increasingly on beekeepers from other states to transport honey bee colonies across the country to meet the pollination demand (a phenomenon known as migratory beekeeping). If researchers cannot find a solution to CCD, beekeepers will be unable to meet demand for this and other crops.

The current strategy for addressing the CCD crisis involves four main components: 1) survey and data collection; 2) analysis of samples; 3) hypothesis-driven research; and, 4) mitigation and preventative action. Despite the existence of several surveys for both honey production and bee health, these surveys are either limited in scope, fundamentally flawed, or otherwise unable to provide an accurate picture of bee numbers or products (honey and pollination services). New surveys are needed to determine the extent of CCD in the United States and the current status of honey bee colony production and health. Apicultural industry groups, researchers (Federal, State and private), and apicultural Extension specialists all agree that there is an immediate need to establish uniform and consistent data collection methodologies to provide a baseline for both bee production and health (epidemiology) measures. While several surveys have been or are currently being conducted, none meets the criteria needed to enable researchers to evaluate increases or decreases in these measures across the United States or North America.

The USDA has developed a CCD Action Plan. The second goal of this plan is to determine current status of honey bee colony production and health. The second objective of this goal is to develop a long-term annual APHIS survey on the overall health status of U.S. honey bees. This action was designated as a high priority in the plan.

Survey Details: A composite sample of adult bees will be collected from eight colonies in each of 11 apiaries. Sample equipment and kits will be provided to the states by the University of Maryland (UMD). Eight colonies will be opened and a frame that contains young developing brood will be removed to shake the adult bees into a collection wash tub. Two ¼ cups of bees will also be collected from the colonies and put into an alcohol bottle and in a live bee box for each apiary. A single brood frame from each colony will also be “bumped” to dislodge exotic parasitic mites like Tropilaelaps and/or pests such as the small hive beetle.

A composite sample of live bees from each apiary will be placed in a ventilated cardboard box and sent to USDA ARS for analysis of viruses. A composite sample of bees in alcohol will be placed in a large alcohol vial and the filtered wash from the comb “bump” will be in a smaller alcohol bottle; these samples will be sent to the ARS for analysis of Nosema, tracheal mites, small hive beetle, Tropilaelaps and other pests. Results from these samples will be provided to the State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO), State Survey Coordinator, State Apiary Specialist and Beekeeper within four months. Sampling will begin when the bees are active in the spring with hive build up, and continue until all apiaries are sampled. ARS and UMD will need four months for analysis of the samples. All results will be placed into NAPIS by the State Survey Coordinator. Results from this survey can provide baseline information on pests and pathogens of honey bee colonies in the United States.

 

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Contact Information

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jessica Hackett
Director of Communications
Telephone: 410-841-5888

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