Wasp Watchers Albany County - Finding the Wasp that hunts the Emerald Ash Borer
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Wasp Watchers
Albany County
{ Finding the Wasp that hunts the Emerald Ash Borer
Cerceris fumipennis is a solitary ground nesting wasp. The female wasp stocks her nest with Buprestid beetles ,this includes the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), when it is present. The EAB is a member of the Buprestid beetle family, a family of beetles, known as metallic wood-boring beetles because of their glossy iridescent colors. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15,000 species known.
Surveillance for early detection of the
Emerald Ash Borer
• We are becoming familiar with the Purple Prism traps
which can now be seen throughout our community.
• These traps were created to attract the EAB. It was
found that Buprestid beetles were most attracted to the
color purple. The sticky surface is baited with natural
oils that contain compounds attractive to the EAB.
• One compound used is an oil given off by
distressed ash trees. Another compound
which attracts the EAB is Manuka oil.
Biosurveillance
• Biological control is using other
species to control pest species.
i.e. ladybugs eating aphids
• Biosurveillance is the use of other species to
survey for a pest species.
• In EAB infested areas, the pest beetles
sometimes make up as much as 80% of the
Cerceris fumipennis colonies daily catch.
• This wasp is very wide spread in the United
States and Canada, and has been known for
over 170 years.
Efficacy of the Prism trap
• The ability to detect the emerald ash borer at low density
is necessary to respond earlier and more quickly to the
presence of this forest pest, rather than waiting for trees to
display symptoms of infestation.
• Current surveillance tools are the use of the Purple Prism
trap and/or girdling sentinel ash trees which attracts the
beetle.
• Both methods are labor intensive but have been effective in
the early detection of the EAB in new areas.
• Currently there is a lot of interest in using the Cerceris
fumipennis wasp for early detection.
Cerceris vs. Prism Traps
(Ontario, Canada 2008)
Prism Trap Cerceris fumipennis (mobile colony)
Site # Days EAB Captured Days EAB Captured #Wasps
1 47 8 3 26 5
4 47 10 1 5 3
9 47 0 3 0 6
Cerceris fumipennis
(‘ser-ser-iss)
• Wasp is ½ - ¾ inch long. It is identified by its distinct
markings. One cream / yellow band on the second
segment of the abdomen. The female has three cream /
yellow spots on her face, the male has two.
• Eggs laid the previous year grow from pupa to wasp and
emerge from the nest in late June.
• The wasps are active during July and August laying eggs
and stocking the nests for next years brood.
• They do not sting and may be handled without threat,
making them an excellent tool for youth to learn about the
value of wasps & bees.
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
• To assist with current research on the efficacy of using
the Cerceris fumipennis wasp for EAB detection, Gary
Goff (Cornell University Natural Resources
Department) proposed using CCE County 4-H Youth
Educators and volunteers to conduct this
Biosurveillance technique.
• In August 2010, Warren Hellman, a graduate student at
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
(ESF), hosted a “hands-on” workshop at a wasp colony
in Baldwinsville, NY (north of Syracuse).
Wasp Watchers & 4-H • Gary Goff received funding for a two year project to initiate the project in 10 counties with CCE 4-H organizations (Albany, Columbia, Greene in our area). • Our proposal in Albany County planned to recruit community leaders and youth to search for and identify Cerceris Fumipennis colonies. Once identified, youth could utilize the wasp colony as a Biosurveillance tool for detection of Buprestid beetles, with particular attention to the Emerald Ash Borer. • Youth leaders from 4-H and Albany County summer programs were contacted to discuss possible collaboration.
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Location of possible wasp colonies.
• Initially we obtained county / town maps from the
Albany County Soil & Water Department which
identified areas with sandy soil.
• Nest sites are in hard packed sandy soil. This is usually
found in areas of human disturbance such as baseball
diamonds, old sand pits, trail and road edges, informal
parking lots, etc.
• The area should have full sunshine, sparse vegetation,
and be near a wooded area, about 200 yards or less.
• For our Biosurveillance project we should have ash trees
within this range.Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Location of possible wasp colonies
• Utilizing the available information, I searched areas of
Albany County which had favorable environments for
the wasp colonies.
• Three colonies were located
Babe Ruth field at Tawasentha Park, Guilderland
Volleyball courts in Thatcher Park, Voorheesville
Little League field in Preston Hollow
• Some sites were visited more than once to confirm that
no nests had been started.
• In collaboration with the Pine Bush Preserve we
surveyed large portions of the preserve but did not
locate any colonies. I believe this might reflect the wasps
preference for hard packed (not loose) sand.low Pins show s where we ked for wasps
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Wasp Nests
• The entrance is a round hold the diameter of a pencil.
• Holes go straight down (not angled into the ground)
(i.e. Bozenkill Park volleyball court site)
• The hole will be surrounded by a circle of excavated soil
and is often tucked beside or partially under a clump of
grass.
• Nests may be clustered together in a colony. Colonies
may contain 5-500 nests.
• To be suitable for EAB monitoring, a colony should be
within 1000 yards of ash trees.A, B, C & D are completed cells. Dotted line are the sections of the burrow that were backfilled upon the completion of each cell.
Wasp Watchers & 4-H • Once colonies were confirmed we proceeded with the Biosurveillance technique. • Sites were visited during the wasps foraging hours (10am - 5pm) preferably on sunny days. • At each nest, a collar was pinned to the ground with a golf tee, placing the second hole over the nest entrance.
Wasp Watchers & 4-H • Wasps without prey can come and go easily through the hole. A wasp carrying prey will not fit through the hole. • We observed for 1-3 hours as wasps return to the nests. Wasps with prey can be netted in flight or caught as they try to pass through the collar. Prey was collected and the wasp released. • Collected beetles were placed in a baggie, labeled with the location and date. The bags were then placed in a freezer until the end of the project when they are sent to the lab at Cornell University. • At the end of our observation time, the collars were removed from the nests allowing wasps to freely enter with prey.
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
4-H Summer Scene
• Our summer camp meets for 5 weeks in the city of
Albany serving 150-200 youth. The theme of the 2011
camp was “Footprints to the Future, Green Living for
Youth”.
• A Wasp Watcher club was formed allowing the youth to
learn more about insects in general, the threat posed by
the Emerald Ash Borer and using the Cerceris
fumipennis wasp as a Biosurveillance too.
• Youth went to Tawasentha Park to see the wasps and set
traps. While waiting for the wasps to forage the campers
did their own foraging in the surrounding area with
sweep nets, collection jars, and magnifying glasses.Cicada which found sites. I larger fascina Wasp W
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Babe Ruth Field Tawasentha Park
• The ball field was monitored three times during July and
August. Approximately 50 nests were located, although
not all nests appeared active on every visit.
• On one occasion it was a hot and slightly overcast
afternoon. There were very few Cerceris fumipennis
wasps flying and several nest holes appeared plugged.
As the afternoon passed many more holes became
plugged. As I departed, it began to rain lightly. I believe
that the wasps were preparing for rain well in advance.
• In addition to the Cerceris fumipennis wasps there were
a large number of very active Cicada Killer waspsWasp Watchers & 4-H
Thatcher Park
• NY DEC reported Cerceris fumipennis were found at
Thatcher Park on a volleyball court but only two nests
were found.
• I went to Thatcher Park three times, noting that there
were several volleyball courts. On some I found wasp
nests that were a different species.
• At the volleyball court, in the Hailes Cave area, I found a
few nests. I set traps but there was no foraging activity
due to the weather.
• There are 6-8 courts in the park, many only accessible by
appointment. I received permission to visit the courts
but, as it was late in the season, there were no more
opportunities to return to the site.Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Preston Hollow Little League Field
• In collaboration with Susan Lewis, Albany County Soil &
Water Department, we located a very active wasp colony
in Preston Hollow.
• We were enthusiastic about this colony as it is located
near the Albany County / Greene County border and the
closest colony to the Catskill area where an Emerald Ash
Borer infestation was found in 2010.
• The site was monitored four times in July & August.
Each day the wasps were actively foraging, traps were
placed on several nests, and Buprestid beetles were
collected.Wasp Watchers & 4-H Preston Hollow Little League Field
Wasp Watchers & 4-H Preston Hollow Little League Field
Wasp Watchers & 4-H Preston Hollow Little League
Wasp Watchers & 4-H Preston Hollow Little League Field
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Tawasentha Babe Ruth Field
Female wasp attempting to
reopen a nestWasp Watchers & 4-H
Tawasentha Babe Ruth Field
Preparing
for
RainWasp Watchers & 4-H
Tawasentha Babe Ruth Field
Possible Nest
Usurpation
i.e. Nest TheftProblems & Hang-Ups
Wasp Watchers & 4-H
Little League Field Preston Hollow
in the wake of IreneWasp Watchers & 4-H
Little League Field Preston Hollow
in the wake of IreneWasp Watchers & 4-H
Altamont
Fair
Wasp Watcher
ExhibitWasp Watchers – What’s Next
Are YOU interested in joining WASP WATCHERS?
What we are doing: Our initial focus is learning about Invasive Species of plants,
animals, insects, etc. that are having a negative effect on our local environment.
A significant threat is the Emerald Ash Borer, which has been found within 20 miles of Albany County, and is responsible for the loss of millions of
Ash Trees in neighboring states.
The Wasp Watcher Project uses the Cerceris Wasp as a surveillance tool to find out when the Emerald Ash Borer is in our neighborhood. This is a fun
activity which takes place over the summer and provides needed research information to Cornell University and NY State Dept. of Environmental
Conservation.
Plans for 2011-2012: The 4-H Wasp Watcher group will meet regularly to learn about invasive species, tracking and mapping. We will learn about
mapping using hand held GPS units and the NY State IMap Invasives program. GPS units will also be used for Geocaching in Albany County.
Who should join Wasp Watchers: Any youth interested in learning more about environmental issues and who would like to learn about and
participate in actual research.
Why join Wasp Watchers:
You will be able to meet with other youth who are interested in the environment and work on projects together.
You will learn about GPS units and have fun with local Geocaching.
You will have great project material for Science Fairs or school projects.
You will make a difference through what you learn and your contribution to current research.
Cornell Cooperative Extension in Albany County provides equal program and employment opportunitiesWasp Watchers – Our Future
Our goal is that our Ash Trees will not be lost
&
will have the opportunity to grow old.
& our youth will grow old appreciating the
gifts of natureYou can also read
