STATE PEST SURVEYS- 2006 Results 

Khapra beetle (KHB, Trogoderma granarium)

Survey was performed in conjunction with the USDA, APHIS, PPQ detection program.  Stogard pheromone traps were placed at known retail importers, as well as feed and seed stores in nine counties.  The survey was conducted from July through August.  Results indicated no KHB introductions were detected at “high risk” importers.

Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS, Homaldisca coagulate)

Not currently established in New Mexico.  GWSS surveys continue to be a focal point of NMDA due to the increased threat of introduction from nursery stock being shipped into the state from neighboring GWSS infested areas.  Additionally, the recent discovery of Xyella fastidiosa infested nursery stock being imported from California and the sharp increase of new vineyards has increases regional concerns regarding establishment of GWSS.  Surveys were conducted in New Mexico grape growing counties of Bernalillo, Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Luna, and Sandoval from July through October.  The 2006 survey indicated no GWSS introductions.

Pecan pests surveys

Survey for new pest introductions were conducted at fifty-nine pecan cleaning plants in nine counties during the harvest months of December thru February.  Each cleaning plant was visited approximately six times with nuts evaluated for evidence of hickory shuckworm (HSW, Cydia caryana) and pecan weevil.  HSW is established in limited areas of the pecan growing region.  No HSW or PW were detected as a result of the inspection programs.

Apple maggot (AM, Rhagoletis pomonella)

This pest is currently established in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties.  As part of NMDA’s efforts to prevent the spread of AM and to support regional marketing programs, surveys were conducted in infested and uninfested counties to detect pest status.  Survey results conducted in Roosevelt, Curry, Otero, Lincoln, Grant, and Dona Ana counties determined no new AM infestations.  The AM survey program is an integral part of the regions pest management programs that helps ensure the shipment of a quality product for regional Farm-to-School lunch programs.

Pepper weevil (PEW, Anthonomus eugenii)

This pest has proved to be a periodic pest of New Mexico grown chile.  Due to the increased demand for processed chile products, New Mexico chile processors must import chile from pepper weevil infested regions of northern Mexico.  Introduction of pepper weevil to New Mexico is a regional threat to pungent and non pungent pepper production in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and California.  Because of the continued importance of chile to New Mexico’s economy and the significant damage caused by this insect, annual pepper weevil surveys are conducted in four southern New Mexico counties.  Fourteen Pherocon PEW lure traps were established in fields and near processing plants in these counties from August through November.  Five PEWs were detected in a trap near one processing plant in Dona Ana County.  The captured PEWs are suspected to be introduced.

European corn borer (ECB, Ostrinia nubilalis)

Surveys are routinely conducted in New Mexico corn growing regions to determine pest spread and facilitate export.  Pheromone traps are placed on the edge of several cornfields in each county.  Results from surveys conducted in Dona Ana, Eddy, Hidalgo, Luna, San Juan, and Sierra counties determined these counties were free of ECB.   

European gypsy Moth (EGM, Lymantria dispar)

Statewide surveys were conducted by NMDA personnel.  Deployment of 242 traps in 29 New Mexico counties began on May 11, 2006 and continued thru June 19.  Traps were established in state parks, campgrounds, interstate trucking centers, visitor centers, nurseries, and tourist information centers.  All traps were recovered by November 3, 2006.  At the conclusion of the survey, the results indicated no EGM captures.

Sudden oak death (SOD, causal organism Phytophthora ramorum)

Surveys were initiated in early July, when infected plants would exhibit visible symptoms.  Eighteen nurseries in nine counties were ultimately surveyed for symptoms of SOD infected plants.  A total of twenty-six suspect samples were submitted to the state extension plant pathologist for visual diagnostic review and for conformation by ELISA.  All samples submitted were found to be negative for P. ramorum.

Red imported fire ant “blitzes” (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta)

Blitzes were conducted at port-of-entry in Anthony and San Jon, New Mexico during June.  Staff from the USDA, APHIS, PPQ, New Mexico Public Safety (NMPS), and NMDA participated in the inspection of trucks for evidence of RIFA and compliance with relevant regulations.  No RIFAs were detected during the inspections.

Red imported fire ant statewide surveys (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta)

Surveys were performed in twelve counties in the north, east and southern quadrants of the state.  A total of sixty-five ant samples were collected by NMDA permanent staff from nurseries, roadways, parking lots, trucks, roadways, dirt lots, sidewalks, and parks.  Samples were collected after visual observations or through the use of protein attractants.  No ant samples collected outside of Dona Ana County were determined to be RIFA.  Surveys continue to show one central area in Dona Ana County to be the only location infested with RIFA.  Eradication efforts will continue in 2007.

Japanese beetle statewide surveys (JB, Popillia japonica)

were conducted in thirty-one counties.  A total of five hundred traps were established in the state throughout the JB flight period.  Thirty-five JBs were captured state-wide, primarily from a known area in Bernalillo County.  Several JBs were trapped at nurseries and traced to the importation of infested nursery material.