[Volunteers_fosm] Fwd: NEWS RELEASE Sandia Ranger District - Tussock Moth Outbreak Resulting in Tree Defoliation

[Michael Madden]

FYI

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: FS-Cibola PAO <SM.FS.CibolaPAO at usda.gov>
Date: Mon, Jul 15, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE Sandia Ranger District - Tussock Moth Outbreak
Resulting in Tree Defoliation
To:


*NEWS RELEASE*

[image: Forest Service Shield]

*Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands*

2113 Osuna Road NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

(505) 346-3900

www.fs.usda.gov/cibola

www.facebook.com/cibolanf

twitter.com/cibola_nf


Tussock Moth Outbreak
Resulting in Tree Defoliation Sandia Ranger District

*Albuquerque, NM, July 15, 2024 –* If you are viewing brownish-red
discoloration of trees on the eastern slopes of the Sandia Mountains
primarily south of the Crest Hwy. (NM-536), it may be the result of
defoliation from the Douglas-fir tussock moth. The defoliation occurs
within mixed conifer stands affecting Douglas-fir and white fir trees.

[image: Oso Corredor Trail SE of Tree Springs Trailhead - Sandia Ranger
District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. 2024]To the
casual observer, the affected trees may appear to be dying, but those brown
branches signal the outbreak of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, a native
defoliator whose larvae (i.e., caterpillars) feed on the foliage of a
variety of trees species. The caterpillar feeds on the previous year’s
needles often resulting in defoliation, which weakens affected trees and
may be followed by subsequent attacks by bark beetles that may kill the
tops or entire trees.

Douglas-Fir tussock moth is experiencing a rise in population on the Sandia
Ranger District. The caterpillars have thousands of tiny hairs covering
their bodies. The female moths, egg masses, and cocoons also have hairs,
which can cause tussockosis, an allergic reaction from direct skin contact
with the insects themselves or their airborne hairs. Symptoms may include
itchiness, skin rashes, skin irritation, watery eyes, runny nose, and
sneezing. More severe reactions, though less common, include blisters,
coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Tussockosis
severity may vary between individuals, by the amount of exposure, and the
level of the outbreak. Everyone should avoid touching or handling this
insect, in any of its forms! If contact does occur, immediately wash the
area of exposure. If symptoms become severe or problematic, immediately
seek medical care.

Forest Service Entomologist Dr. Steven Souder said, “Trees may recover from
early infestations which can look quite dramatic; however, multiple seasons
of repeated defoliation can predispose trees to disease and other insects
causing tree mortality.”  Trees that regrow their needles will put out new
shoots over the summer that will appear more bronze than gold in the fall.
In old trees or trees stressed by the elements, the caterpillar can hasten
mortality, but may survive this annual harbinger of summer in the
southwest.

The Forest Service will be conducting its annual aerial surveys over the
Sandias within the next several weeks to track the damage done by Tussock
Moths and other insects in the Cibola National Forest. Additional ground
truthing will also be conducted to confirm presence and develop treatment
options.

Private landowners who are witnessing damage to trees on their property
from the Tussock Moth may contact Victor Lucero, Forest Health Program
Coordinator with NM Forestry Division, to discuss treatment options.
https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/forest-health/   Victor.Lucero at emnrd.nm.gov





*FS Photo: 2024 - Oso Corredor Trail SE of Tree Springs Trailhead - Sandia
Ranger District.*

*Photo: Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth* *caterpillar*



[image: Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth caterpillar]




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