An insect immigrant to the United States--Anoplophora glabripennis, a longhorned wood-boring beetle--is attacking many types of maple and horse chestnut trees in Brooklyn, Amityville and Greenpoint, New York. ARS scientists say the insects are native to Japan, Korea and south China and can live in most sections of the United States, where they could become a widespread pest. Many trees showing evidence of the beetle infestation have been cut down and chipped over the past year since the beetles were first discovered. Recently, adults and larvae were intercepted in wooden crates and braces used to transport cargo in ships at ports in California, South Carolina and Canada. Thanks to speedy ARS identification of the insect invaders, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service agents fumigated the cargo--so far preventing the establishment of this species in these other areas of the country. The beetle is more than an inch long and coal black with yellow or white spots and has long antennae with black and white bands. The beetle larvae bore into living trees where they remain for about 2 years before emerging as adults. Adults live about 4 weeks. A USDA advisory committee from ARS, Forest Service and APHIS is studying eradication methods. Possible natural weapons against the pest include birds, parasitic wasps, other beetle larvae and robber fly larvae.
Systematic Entomology Laboratory, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
Steve Lingafelter, (202) 382-1793, slingafe@sel.barc.usda.gov

A new test detects a detrimental fungus in harvested soybean seeds better than existing tests or visual examination. ARS scientists believe their new test could be readily adapted for commercial use to curtail spread of the fungus, known as Phomopsis longicolla. This fungus causes seed decay and discoloration. Processors reject discolored soybeans, and European buyers will reject seed with an infection rate of more than 15 percent. The new test relies on DNA fingerprinting to find the fungus. The ARS researchers isolated a unique genetic sequence in P. longicolla that allows them to distinguish it from similar fungi that infect soybean seeds.
Crop Protection Unit, Urbana, IL
Glenn Hartman, (217) 333-3258, ghartman@uiuc.edu

The status of lychees and longans as important commercial crops in southern Florida won't be threatened by the Caribbean fruit fly. ARS scientists have found that neither fruit hosts the fly. Now Florida growers can ship these fruits throughout the United States--even to California, which considered an embargo on the fruit because it was thought to harbor the pest. California has approved the fly-free protocol that ARS scientists developed with help from the Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida, Inc. In 1996, Florida growers harvested 1.37 million pounds of lychees, worth $2.75 million, and 875,000 pounds of longans, valued at $1.75 million.
Subtropical Horticulture Research Laboratory, Miami, FL
Raymond G. McGuire, (305) 238-9321, miarm@ars- grin.gov

Last Updated: February 18, 1998
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