New Pest Response Guidelines - aphis - US Department of Agriculture

Monitoring Survey
Survey Procedures
Dendrolimus punctatus
Examples of permanent forecasting stations were reported to have been
established in Vietnam for the purposes of monitoring the MPC. For an area of
500 hectares, a line of four survey plots consisting of 100m 2 each were used to
monitor and predict pending outbreaks (Billings, 1991). Infested sample trees
were monitored for population density with 1m 2 excrement traps, over a 10d
period (Billings, 1991). Threshold numbers vary with tree species and insect
life-stages.
Targeted Survey
Conduct targeted surveys in areas where introduction of Dendrolimus moths
may be considered more likely.
Sentinel Site Survey
Sentinel sites are locations that are regularly inspected along the surveyors’
normal route. The sites are selected based on their ease of access and the large
number of coniferous trees known as primary or potentially secondary hosts.
Once the sentinel site is established the surveyor should re-inspect the site on a
regular basis (monthly or bi-monthly) as permitted by the person’s regular
survey schedule. Any larva, adult, pupa or egg should be processed as
described. GIS can be used to map the sentinel site locations to help visualize
an even coverage, particularly in high risk areas
Visual Inspection of Plants
This section contains instructions for inspecting trees, the forest undercover
and soil for infestation by the Dendrolimus moths.
Low level infestations are difficult to detect. Symptoms characteristic of moth
damage have to be surveyed from the ground with the naked eye and/or
binoculars. It may be necessary to remove branches from the upper canopy to
assess infestation or collect samples (Figure 4-1 on page 4-6). Symptoms of
caterpillar presence include:
Defoliation or needle discoloration in the tree top.
12/2012-01 Dendrolimus Pine Moths 4-5