Dan Hilburn, Administrator, Plant Divison

A.Our first benchmark concerns the ten worst weed and pest species that threaten to invade Oregon. These species are present in neighboring states or similar eco-regions and would have extremely serious negative impacts if they were to become established in Oregon (see the 2000 Annual Report for background information). Our goal is to keep them out as long as possible. Here is a progress report for 2004:

Gypsy moth--Treatments applied in Eugene appear to have been successful, although another year of negative trapping will be required before we can declare the population officially eradicated. Only four gypsy moths were trapped statewide in 2004. An eradication program for a site in Eagle Creek (Clackamas County) is in the planning stages. Future introductions are expected. Grade: "A"

Japanese beetle--Six beetles were trapped near the Portland Airport this year. Treatments were applied to host material in the area. Future introductions are expected and public opposition to insecticide-intensive eradication programs is likely to grow. Grade: "A"

Asian longhorned beetle--Survey results negative. Grade: "A"
Imported fire ant--No survey in 2004, but still not known to occur in the state. Grade: "B"

Kudzu--Three infestations were found in 2000 and 2001. All were treated. Control at the sites has been nearly complete with only one small patch requiring re-treatment in 2004. Grade: "A"

Distaff thistle--Several dozen sites in Douglas and Jackson counties are being treated. The trend toward fewer plants appearing at these sites each year continues. Grade: "A"

Purple starthistle--A site in Clackamas County is being eradicated. The trend toward fewer plants appearing at this site each year continues. Grade: "A"

Hydrilla--This serious aquatic weed is established in both Washington and California. It is not known to occur in Oregon, but surveys have been irregular and incomplete. No organized survey was carried out in 2004. Grade: "C"

Ramorum blight (aka sudden oak death)--Survey results indicate the eradication program in Curry County has succeeded in reducing the rate of spread. Only eight new infested acres were detected this year, down from 40 in 2001. Infestations at 23 nurseries were eradicated. Grade: "A"

Unknown--We must never forget that many exotic species could be harmful to the agricultural and native habitats of Oregon. Concentrating only on the known threats would leave us vulnerable to invasions by species currently not on our radar screen. Grade: "B"
2004 overall grade: "A-"
Previous years:    2003: "A-"    2002: "A-"    2001: "A-"

B.    Percentage of total exported nursery stock rejected at destination. Tracking this rate over time will measure the effectiveness of our inspection and certification programs. One number in the formula (% exported) comes from a report that is published after this annual report. Consequently, this measure is one year behind.
Formula: value exports rejected / (gross nursery sales x % exported) x 100 = percent rejected.
For 2003:    $173,270 / ($937,000,000 x .73) x 100 = 0.02%. Grade: "A"
Previous years:    2002 = 0.03%    2001 = 0.03%

C.    Percentage of approved exported seed lots rejected at destination. Oregon exports the majority of the seed produced in the state. Comparing the number of exported lots rejected at destination to the total number of lots approved for export, measures the effectiveness of our laboratory testing and certification program.
Formula: Number seed lots rejected / number seed lots tested and approved x 100 = percent rejected.
For 2004:    2 / 3,836 x 100 = 0.05%
Grade: "A"
Previous years:    2003=0.02%    2002 = 0.06%    2001 = 0.14%

D.    Percentage of biological control potential realized. For each available biological control agent, a county infested with its target weed is a potential habitat. We can measure the success of our biological control program by calculating the percentage of these potential habitats where biological control agents have become well established. The better we do at introducing and redistributing biological control agents, the higher this percentage will be. Over time, our program activities should cause the percentage to rise unless the number of new target weeds grows more quickly than our success at establishment and redistribution. If that happens, our program is falling behind.
Formula: Number of counties with each agent/weed combination well established / total number of counties with potential habitat x 100 = percentage biological control potential realized.
For 2004: 524 / 1,,619 x 100 = 32%
Grade: "A"
Previous years:    2003 = 28%    2002 = 24%    2001 = 24%

E.    Number of plant species listed as threatened or endangered in Oregon. This performance measure demonstrates the effectiveness of conservation programs relating to native plant species by identifying those that need protection and those that have recovered sufficiently to be removed from the list of threatened or endangered species. A declining number of threatened and endangered species indicates an effective program, provided the species are recovering and not going extinct.
For 2004:    58 species listed as threatened or endangered    Grade: "B"
Previous years:    2003: 58    2002: 58    2001: 58    2000: 61

	Gary McAninch, Nursery and Christmas Tree Program Supervisor

• Assisting nurseries in providing nursery stock that is free of dangerous pests and diseases.
• Providing pest and disease management information to the Christmas tree and nursery industries.
• Providing inspection and certification of nursery stock and Christmas trees grown and shipped from Oregon.
• Preventing the spread of injurious pests, plant diseases and noxious weeds within the state of Oregon.
• Helping to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases that could threaten Oregon's Christmas tree and nursery industries by inspecting incoming shipments of plant material for compliance with Oregon and US quarantines.
• Making information available to all licensed Christmas tree growers and nurseries relative to importation requirements of other states and countries.

• Inspection and export certification services were provided to Oregon's $125 million Christmas tree and $779 million nursery industries.
• Oregon nursery stock and Christmas trees were exported to over 70 foreign countries.
• Horticulturists conducted 6,876 inspections and issued 5,596 state and federal phytosanitary certificates.
• The Nursery Research Assessment Fund collected and made available approximately $230,000 for nursery related research grants.
• Nursery/Christmas Tree Program personnel staffed a booth at the Far-West Show--Oregon's largest nursery trade show.
• European brown garden snail, Helix aspersa, continues to be found in Oregon nurseries. During the past year, eradication efforts were initiated at an additional Oregon nursery.
• Inspections of grape blocks at 15 nurseries were completed to ensure compliance with certification requirements.
• Program horticulturists continue to survey for glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Hoalodisca coagulata, in nurseries shipping plant material to California under the California/Oregon Origin Inspection Program. No glassy-winged sharpshooters have been found at nurseries for the past four years.
• The program continues to provide certification for coniferous solid wood packing material going to the People's Republic of China. Six hundred ninety four solid wood packing material certificates were issued.
• Oregon's Phytophthora ramorum-Free Program was initiated. As part of this program, a total of 827 nurseries and 669 Christmas tree plantations were inspected and tested for P. ramorum.
• Twenty-two Oregon nurseries were confirmed positive for P. ramorum. Thirteen as a result of P. ramorum-free program inspections and nine as a result of trace-forward or trace-back investigations.
• No Oregon Christmas tree plantations were found infested with P. ramorum.
• The emergency notification rule, requiring recipients of trees and shrubs to notify the ODA upon their arrival, was made permanent.
• Staff attended the annual meeting of the Western Chapter of the Horticultural Inspection Society in Seattle, Washington.
• Horticulturist Gordon Wogan retired after 29 years of service with the ODA's Nursery/Christmas Tree Program.
• Lisa Rehms and Karl Puls joined the program staff as Horticulturists. Lisa replacing the position vacated by Elena Victory and Karl replacing Kai Sjoblom who retired in 2003.

• During calendar year 2004 we received notification of 3,377 shipments of out of state nursery stock received by Oregon nurseries. This represents approximately 25.6 million plants.
• Program staff determined that 75 of the shipments were high-risk and inspections were conducted.
• Thirteen official rejections were issued for quarantine violations.
• Five shipments were either returned to the shipper or destroyed.
• The most commonly received plant genera were Rhododendron, Arbutus, Viburnum, Camellia, Pseudotsuga, and Abies.
• The top three shipping states from which we received notification were California (2,104), Washington (462) and Michigan (102).
• During the same time period, we received notification of plant material from six foreign countries including Canada (115), Holland (59) and New Zealand (5).

1. Annual survey and inspection of host and associated host plants at each growing site.
2. Annual testing of samples using federally approved sampling and laboratory protocols to determine pathogen-free status.
3. Participation in a renewable compliance agreement designed to maintain pathogen-free status until the next annual inspection.

	Kathleen J.R. Johnson, PhD., IPPM Program Supervisor

• We successfully completed three aerial applications of the biological insecticide Btk on the 183-acre gypsy moth eradication area in south Eugene. In general, the eradication program was positively received by residents. A National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit was obtained for this project from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

• Notification to ODA by an Eagle Creek nursery, of spruce nursery stock received from Ontario, Canada in September 2004, led to IPPM and nursery staff finding gypsy moth egg masses on the container trees. Further searches of spruce trees received in 2003 and planted on nearby nursery growing grounds led to the discovery of additional gypsy moth life stages. Gypsy moths had been trapped nearby in 2003 and 2004. A 268-acre eradication area is proposed for treatment with Btk in 2005.

• A total of eight Japanese beetles were trapped at the Portland International Airport, the Portland Air National Guard Base and Colwood National Golf Course. Trees, shrubs, ground covers, and turf within eradication areas at these three sites received two applications of a chemical pesticide, Tempo. Soil was treated with a single application of a chemical pesticide, Merit.

• For the second year, the number of Japanese beetles intercepted on cargo carriers at Portland International Airport was much lower than in recent years. These efforts reflect the cooperation among industry and plant protection agencies in the west and Japanese beetle-infested states in the east and Midwest. Entomologist Alan Mudge was recognized by USDA for his work in development of Best Practices Guidelines for Japanese Beetle Management at Regulated Airports. Alan also provided "best practices" training to USDA APHIS-PPQ staff and state cooperators.

• Our cooperative exotic woodborer trapping program continued for the eighth year. Participation in the USDA Rapid Detection of Exotic Scolytids Pilot Project continued for a fourth year. ODA worked with the USDA Forest Service PNW Research Station in Corvallis on a collaborative ambrosia beetle detection and survey methods development project, first initiated in 2002.

• Interceptions in railroad ties in The Dalles and detections in nearby traps of several exotic wood borers native to, or known to be established in the eastern United States, pose a threat to Oregon trees and shrubs in urban, forested and riparian areas, orchards and nurseries.

• Surveys did not detect apple tortrix, Asian longhorned beetle, cherry ermine moth, dark fruit tree tortrix, emerald ash borer, khapra beetle, nun moth, old world bollworm, plum curculio, plum fruit moth, or silver Y moth in Oregon. Apple ermine moth, cereal leaf beetle or cherry bark tortix surveys did not find an expansion of their ranges in Oregon.

• Two European wireworm species which damage seeds, roots, and root and tuber crops were trapped near the Port of Portland and at two nurseries in eastern Clackamas County.

• Identification of nontarget species in the exotic woodborer survey, and the 2003 light brown apple moth survey, found two significant pest detections: the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, and the golden leaf roller, Croesia holmiana.

• Technical advice on grasshopper infestation levels and control options was provided to land owners and managers, particularly in the Klamath Marsh and in Harney, Lake and Malheur counties, where grasshopper populations continued at economic levels. Over 450,000 acres in 11 Oregon counties were estimated to be at risk of economic infestations of grasshoppers in 2005.
  

• Our first successful overwintering recovery of the cereal leaf beetle egg parasitoid occurred in the Banks field insectary after two years of releases. A second field insectary for this egg parasitoid was initiated near Scholls (also in Washington County).

• Widespread recovery of the cereal leaf beetle larval parasitoid was achieved from nearly all places where it had been previously released. Numbers were exceptionally high (over 70 percent) in two fields in Baker and Union counties. This year also marked its first recovery in western Oregon on Sauvie Island (Multnomah County), where releases have been made since 2000. USDA estimates showing a dramatic increase in acres sprayed for cereal leaf beetle, from none in 1999 to 64,200 acres in 2004 with a cost of about $770,400 for pesticide treatments, highlights the importance of successfully implementing these biological control programs.

• After two years of releases of a cherry bark tortrix egg parasitoid, Trichogramma cacoeciae, we observed our first reductions in both the numbers of moths trapped and the area with trapped moths. We were encouraged by these 2004 results indicating the potential of biological control to prevent widespread damage by cherry bark tortrix to our urban, orchard and riparian tree environments.

• Survey technicians and survey coordinators worked closely with the Nursery and Christmas Tree Programs by implementing sudden oak death inspections on nurseries starting in October.

• Specimens of Chaetocnema concinna, found feeding on strawberry leaves in Mt. Angel in Marion County, represent the first western US records of this Eurasian flea beetle. This exotic insect was first recorded from North America based on a specimen collected in Massachusetts in 1979 and is currently known from eastern Canada, the northeastern US, and Texas. It has been recorded from at least eleven families of plants, including strawberries and carrots, although it seems to favor hosts in the Chenopodiaceae and Polygonaceae. It is known to be a crop pest in its native range, although strawberries were not documented as being damaged there. The damage to Oregon strawberry leaves was first observed during fall 2003, with more severe damage noted in 2004. Since there are many local species of flea beetles with which C. concinna could be confused, this species may have been present in this area for many years.

• Golden leaf roller (GLR), Croesia holmiana. This European leafroller was first reported in North America (British Columbia, 1977) and had been trapped as a non-target species in the Puget Sound area (Washington state) since the mid-1980s. In 1994 it was recognized as a US record. It has slowly spread south and by 2001 was found near the Oregon border. GLR was trapped for the first time in Oregon in 2003, from Clackamas and Columbia counties, as non-target specimens in traps baited with light brown apple moth pheromone lure. They were identified in 2004 from vouchered specimens and confirmed by genitalic dissection. Larvae of this minor pest can become common in apple trees.

• Among the most significant detections of new exotic insects in Oregon was the discovery of a single specimen of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, in Portland. The specimen was found in a sample collected on August 4 from a Lindgren funnel trap for exotic wood boring insects placed in the Ladd's Addition neighborhood. The native range of this Asian insect includes China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The first North American specimens were found in Pennsylvania in 1996. This stink bug has since been found in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The Oregon record is the first documented detection of this invasive species west of the Mississippi River. It is a significant pest of a wide variety of crops in Asia, including apples, peaches, pears, and legumes, including beans and soybeans. Some Pennsylvania organic growers have already experienced heavy damage to their fruit harvest. Asian data also suggests that BMSB may cause significant damage to certain plants in the nursery trade. Like several other insects in Oregon, such as box elder bugs and the Asian multicolored lady beetle, BMSB can invade houses by the hundreds and thousands in the fall and early winter when seeking shelter for the winter. In fact, it was first reported in Pennsylvania by distressed homeowners. IPPM staff searched the immediate vicinity of the trap in which the BMSB specimen was found but no additional specimens were detected. A pest alert has been posted on the IPPM Web site and a press release has been issued. Although it is too early to tell whether BMSB is established in Oregon, it is likely that additional specimens will turn up in 2005.

• A single specimen of a European species of scarab beetle, Rhyssemus germanus, was collected in Bend from a Lindgren funnel trap for exotic wood boring insects. This species was formerly known in North America only from the vicinity of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Since adults and larvae apparently feed on decaying plant material in the soil, this insect is not a threat to Oregon agriculture.

	Tim Butler, Noxious Weed Control Program Supervisor

• provide leadership and technical expertise for noxious weed control programs statewide.

• coordinate weed control efforts with federal, state, and county agencies as well as provide assistance to private landowners.

• conduct weed surveys to detect new infestations and to manage new infestations before they become significant problems.

• protect Oregon's agricultural and forestry production markets through proactive invasive weed prevention and control activities.

• protect natural resources statewide from the invasion of noxious weeds.

• administer grant funds appropriated for weed control by the legislature.

• work with the State Weed Control Board to prioritize weed control projects, and to supply the board with necessary information to facilitate the allocation of special projects funding.

• develop and implement biological control of weed programs.

• promote and use integrated control methods to maximize weed control success while minimizing non-target effects to the environment.

• Reviewing noxious weed control grants and submitting recommendations to the Oregon State Weed Board for approval and monitoring of grant-supported projects were primary goals once again in 2004.

• Paterson's curse, Echium plantagineum, was detected and confirmed at a second site in Oregon in Douglas County in March 2004. The first confirmed site was found in Linn County in 2003. Paterson's curse is making major impacts to pasture and range lands in Australia. The State Weed Board listed Patterson's curse as an "A" weed in 2003 and it was incorporated into the Noxious Weed Quarantine in 2004.

• Kudzu, Pueraria lobata, an invasive vine known as the 'Scourge of the South,' was identified for the first time in Oregon in 2000 at two sites. One new site was detected in 2001. Kudzu survey, follow-up monitoring, and treatment of existing sites, were high priorities for 2004.

• Giant hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, was detected for the first time in Oregon in 2001. This is an " A" and "T" designated noxious weed that is of public health and environmental concern. Additional surveys, treatments, and public education related to this weed, were conducted during 2004, through funding support from USDA-APHIS.

• Meadow Hawkweed, Hieracium partense, and Orange Hawkweed, Hieracium aurantiacum, are "A" rated invasive noxious weeds that have a very limited distribution in Oregon. Hawkweeds are problems in natural meadows, pastures, and forest margins. During the 2004 season, ODA staff in cooperation with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Mt. Hood National Forest, and a private contractor, continued implementation of treatment projects for orange and meadow hawkweed infestations on, and adjacent to, the Mt. Hood National Forest.

• During 2004, comprehensive surveys of Oregon estuaries for Spartina were completed and no sites were detected.

Survey: 1,000 acres
Treated: 100 net acres over 310 gross acres

• All of the 71 previously known sites were monitored with over 90 percent of them receiving site visits. Active delimitation surveys were implemented to delimit the infestations. Additional location and land ownerships were recorded in the ODA hogweed database.

• ODA personnel surveyed high-risk areas and locations reported in western Oregon for detection of new hogweed sites. Active surveys were implemented in the 12 northwest counties, focusing efforts on the northern, central, and southern Willamette Valley and on the north coast. One new site was detected during 2004 survey activities.

• Passive survey methods were implemented through outreach to the public with ODA highlighting giant hogweed in presentations and discussions, in both public forums and consultations with cooperators.

• Technical bulletins were developed and distributed and a pest alert was mailed to cooperators and posted on the ODA Web site. One new site was reported to ODA as a result of outreach efforts to the public.

• A primary focus of the 2004 survey was Fanno Creek, a tributary of the Tualatin River. Over three miles of stream were intensively surveyed in July 2004. More then 600 plants were found along 1.5 miles of the surveyed section. Infestations were treated with herbicide at the time of survey and the seed heads were removed to prevent seeding. A database of all affected landowners was compiled. A follow-up treatment was performed in late September 2004. Passive survey methods were implemented through public outreach efforts, including presentations to Fanno Creek and Tualatin River property owners. ODA also met with and provided presentations to the Tualatin Riverkeeper's and the Tualatin Watershed Council. Hogweed was featured on the Tualatin Riverkeeper's Web site and in newsletter articles. No plants were found or reported for the Tualatin River, though survey activity was limited. Partnering with the Tualatin Riverkeeper's and the Tualatin Watershed Council, ODA anticipates survey of the majority of the lower Tualatin during the 2005 season.

• Best management practices bulletins were developed and provided to land managers and private landowners having hogweed infestations. The respective managers using BMPs treated most of the sites. ODA staff treated outlier high priority sites using herbicide and manual treatments.

• A review of the database of site records was completed. It was determined that hogweed is now located on 73 properties, representing 57 populations. Sixteen populations are determined to be high priority for treatment by ODA personnel in 2005.

Central Oregon sites: Buck Horn, Sunriver, Black Butte
Northeast Oregon sites: Saddle Mt., Looking Glass, Huckleberry, Cabin Creek
Southeast Oregon sites: Steens Mountain, Yellow Jacket Lake, Kiger Gorge
Survey: 10,500 net acres/30,000 gross acres
Monitored: 1,560 acres
Treated: two net acres /100 gross acres at 20 locations

Total BLM acres treated in Warner ACEC: 2,619.4
Treated by ODA staff: 128.4 (BLM)
Treated by contractor: 2,491 (BLM)
Treated on DSL within ACEC by contractor: 125 (paid for by DSL)
Treated on USFWS lands by ODA: 8 (funded by USFWS)

Survey: 500 net acres
Monitored: 250 net acres
Treated: 10 net acres over 900 gross acres