Walnut Twig Beetle, Thousand Cankers Disease Survey

The Walnut Twig Beetle Survey is a cooperative project between Clemson-DPI and USDA-APHIS-PPQ.  The survey highlights the mission of the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry: to protect South Carolina's agricultural resources and natural ecosystems from the introduction and spread of invasive species and to enhance the efficiency of South Carolina's agriculture.  This summer, Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) will conduct a Thousand Cankers survey in South Carolina, thus protecting South Carolina’s natural resources and helping to preserve a safe and healthy environment.

The Walnut Twig Beetle Survey is essential in the effort to counter the destruction and damage caused by invasive plant pests. This survey provides data for the presence or absence of Thousand Cankers Disease and Walnut Twig Beetle. Black walnuts are an essential component of southeastern forests and provide an ecological as well as an economic benefit to South Carolina. With the recent detections of this invasive species in TN, VA, PA, and OH, it is critical that South Carolina conduct this survey to detect this pest as early as possible. In 2013, 29 funnel traps were set in 12 counties and monitored for 6 weeks with no detections.

Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) field staff will place Lindgren funnel traps in wooded areas likely to harbor walnut twig beetles in order to detect that insect if it is present in South Carolina. One funnel trap will be placed at 15 high-risk sites containing black walnuts throughout the state. Each trap will be deployed for 6 weeks and will be monitored for the presence of the walnut twig beetle weekly. Additionally, field staff will sample any declining black walnuts at these sites and other sites in the state for thousand canker disease.