Pest risk assessment of the importation into the United States of unprocessed Eucalyptus logs and chips from South America

Abstract

In this report, we assess the unmitigated pest risk potential of importing Eucalyptus logs and chips from South America into the United States. To do this, we estimated the likelihood and consequences of introducing representative insects and pathogens of concern. Nineteen individual pest risk assessments were prepared, eleven dealing with insects and eight with pathogens. The selected organisms were representative examples of insects and pathogens found on the foliage, on the bark, in the bark, and in the wood of Eucalyptus spp. Among the insects and pathogens assessed, eight were rated a high risk potential: purple moth (Sarsina violescens), scolytid bark and ambrosia beetles (Scolytopsis brasiliensis, Xyleborus retusus, Xyleborus biconicus, Xyleborus spp.), carpenterworm (Chilecomadia valdiviana) on Eucalyptus nitens, round-headed wood borers (Chydarteres striatus, Retrachyderes thoracicus, Trachyderes spp., Steirastoma breve, Stenodontes spinibarbis), eucalyptus longhorned borer (Phoracantha semipunctata), Botryosphaeria cankers (Botryosphaeria dothidea, Botryosphaeria obtusa, Botryosphaeria ribi), Ceratocystis canker (Ceratocystis fimbriata), and pink disease (Erythricium salmonicolor).

Risk and pathway assessment for the introduction of exotic insects and pathogens that could affect Hawai'i's native forests

“…limonea (Hodges and Hildebrand 2005a), A. novae-zelandiae (Hodges and Hildebrand 2005b), and for the genus as a whole (Kliejunas et al 2001.…”

“…Phellinus noxius is the subject of previous pest risk assessments (Hodges 2005;Kliejunas et al 2001Kliejunas et al , 2003. Informa- The fungus is capable of surviving saprotrophically in wood or in soil and would remain viable during transport.…”

“…Basidiospores rapidly lose viability under conditions of low humidity and may only be viable for 24 hours after release (Hodges 2004, Kliejunas et al 2001 but are thought to be more important than conidia in spreading the disease in some crops (Almeida and Luz 1986). Relative production of basidial and conidial stages on infected apple trees is influenced by air temperature and relative humidity (Verma 1991).…”

“…Selection was based on the likelihood of the pest being on or in a commodity, and on potential risk the pest poses to resources in Hawai'i. The pest risk assessment team compiled and assessed pertinent data using the methodology outlined in "Pest Risk Assessment Process" in appendix 4, 1 and as used in previous pest risk assessments (Kliejunas et al 2001Tkacz et al 1998;USDA FS 1991, 1992.…”

Chemical Defenses in Eucalyptus Species: A Sustainable Strategy Based on Antique Knowledge to Diminish Agrochemical Dependency

“…Insects in the latter group may be pre-adapted to shift hosts depending on host chemical composition (Kliejunas et al 2001, Wingfield et al 2008. Chemical identification of secondary metabolites used by insects as signals to select host trees can be useful in association to genetic programs to obtain clones lacking these substances, in order to turn them less attractive to them .…”