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Transcript
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HEALTH / AGRICULTURE BUILDING PO BOX 330 TRENTON NJ 08625-0330 JAMES E. McGREEVEY Governor CHARLES M. KUPERUS Secretary of Agriculture NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY REPORT TO THE EASTERN PLANT BOARD SUMMARY OF 2003 ACTIVITIES NURSERY INSPECTION New Jersey law requires that all nursery stock sold in New Jersey be free of injurious pests, ensuring that ornamental plants purchased by consumers are healthy and do not contain pests that could spread to other plants. The nursery inspection staff inspected over 17,260 acres in 1,291 nursery locations to certify freedom from dangerous insects and diseases. A total of 166 active pest infestations requiring treatment were found on less than 12% of the nursery locations inspected. These infestations were controlled under Department orders. The most frequently observed pests were bagworm (70), white peach scale (32), white pine weevil (18), spider mite (9) and euonymus scale (7). Other noteworthy pests found included winged euonymus scale, Japanese beetle and assorted aphids. A total of 864 garden centers and landscape firms were certified as plant dealers for 2003. The list of certified nurseries and plant dealers is posted on the Division’s web site and is updated monthly. The Division's inspectors issued 132 state and 240 federal phytosanitary certificates enabling export of plants and plant material to other states or countries. CHRYSANTHEMUM WHITE RUST In October, a Chrysanthemum Plant Club member in northern New Jersey correctly identified Chrysanthemum White Rust on a plant from a fellow club member. Following confirmation by the USDA, New Jersey state officials and USDA APHIS PPQ staff conducted a field survey of two residential locations in Morris and Middlesex Counties using protocols established by the USDA to located and destroy infected mum plants in private plantings. During the survey, a total of 1,064 mum plants on 378 properties were inspected. As a result of the survey, over 238 chrysanthemum plants were found to be infected and were destroyed. Surveys for Chrysanthemum White Rust will repeat in the fall of 2004. In December 2003, Chrysanthemum White Rust, Puccinia horianna was discovered in a greenhouse operation in Passaic County, New Jersey. New Jersey horticultural personnel New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer • www.nj.gov/agriculture working with USDA APHIS PPQ officials conducted a survey of the greenhouse operation, identifying two greenhouses containing 10,200 mums with the disease. Both greenhouses were disinfected following the removal and subsequent incineration of the infected plants. SOUTHERN WILT OF GERANIUMS In February and March of 2003, personnel from the Department and USDA APHIS PPQ conducted a cooperative survey of geraniums at 30 greenhouse operations in New Jersey for Southern Wilt, Ralstonia solanacearum race 3, biovar 2. The survey followed protocols outlined by the USDA in the “Action plan for Ralstonia solanacearum race 3, biovar2 found in nursery facilities”. A total of 88,155 geranium plugs, originating from Kenya, were received by 30 greenhouse operations throughout the state. Only one greenhouse operation was found to contain infected plant material. A total of 540 geranium plugs were destroyed from this location and the greenhouse was disinfected under the supervision of USDA APHIS PPQ personnel. VEGETABLE TRANSPLANT INSPECTION In 2003, Division staff inspected approximately 7 million vegetable transplants shipped into the state for use by New Jersey farmers for plant disease, insect or nematode problems. The predominant crops inspected were pepper, leek, escarole, endive, lettuce and Swiss chard. Other crops inspected included beets, cabbage, collards, and kale. No lots were rejected for disease or insect problems during 2003. PLANT PEST SURVEYS Projects funded by USDA APHIS through the CAPS Program for 2003 included the National and High Intensity Plum Pox surveys; Site Environs surveys of Warehouses of High-risk Cargo, Purple Loosestrife Biological Control, Copitarsia survey, Leek moth survey, Khapra Beetle survey, and a survey for Nematodes of Regulatory Concern. Division staff and USDA APHIS PPQ officers jointly placed a variety of insect traps in and around warehouses/nurseries in three counties that receive crated cargo/bamboo from China. Lindgren funnel traps and blacklight traps were checked weekly throughout the summer months. Native species of bark beetles and native wood boring beetles were regularly found in the traps; but no foreign species were detected outside of the facilities. No actionable pests were found. The Division participated in two Plum Pox Virus survey sponsored by USDA APHIS PPQ. In the National survey, 18,162 lab samples of leaves were collected and examined using ELISA testing. All samples tested negative. This represents approximately 1,297 acres of stone fruit. In the High Intensity survey, 38,940 lab samples of leaves were collected and examined using ELISA testing. All samples tested negative. This represents approximately 1,390 acres of stone fruit. In addition, fruit were collected as part of the high intensity survey. All of the nearly 21,000 fruit collected were tested using the ELISA test. All results were negative. Also 4,929 of these fruit were tested using PCR. There were no confirmed positives from the PCR testing of 2 the fruit. ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE On October 10, 2002, Asian Longhorned Beetle was confirmed in Jersey City, New Jersey. A total of 113 trees (100 maples, 12 elms, and 1 birch) were determined to be infested and were removed in accordance with accepted protocols. This discovery moved ALB from a CAPS survey to its own program. A one and a half mile (1 ½) quarantine zone was established and a host tree survey was undertaken. To date, no other infested trees have been found. As part of a pro-active eradication and control program, 348 other, non-infested host trees were removed within a ¼ mile radius of the epicenter of the infestation. In addition, approximately 1,060 host trees within the ¼ to ½ mile radius zone were treated with a systemic pesticide, imidacloprid, as a preventative measure. Surveys in warehouse locations, which receive commodities from countries where ALB is native along with the ALB 25 mile grid survey (Level 3 and Level 4) will continue as dictated by the New York ALB Eradication Program. BROWN GARDEN SNAIL Control treatments for the Brown garden snail, Cryptomphalus aspersus, were conducted in garden areas of nine infested properties using metaldehyde pellets, every two weeks from April to November 2003. A 96% reduction of C. aspersus and native slug populations has been observed on the treated properties following three seasons of treatments. The Brown garden snail was found for the first time in New Jersey during the summer of 1998. Following two years of field surveys, nine properties were identified as having significant infestations of this snail pest. Control measures have also been initiated in North Cape May, New Jersey on three residential properties where a small infestation was discovered during the summer. Although New Jersey does not have a state quarantine against the Brown garden snail, it recommends against the movement or rearing of any live, non-native plant feeding snails under USDA permit. BLUEBERRY EXPORTS TO CANADA During 2003, New Jersey growers shipped fresh blueberry fruit to Canada under protocols developed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and USDA APHIS PPQ designed to limit the spread of Blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax. Blueberry maggot is a serious pest of fresh blueberries. Over 384,000 flats of New Jersey grown fresh blueberries were shipped into Canada under this program representing a 25% reduction in the amount of fresh blueberry fruit shipped by New Jersey growers in compared to the amount shipped in 2002. Twenty growers were certified by the Division and participated in the program. The 2003 season was the fifth year that the program was operational. Under the protocol, under the supervision by Department personnel, growers were required to 3 carry out various monitoring and control procedures, along with verification methods to certify that shipments did not contain blueberry maggot. The New Jersey blueberry industry is satisfied that these regulations required by CFIA have not created undue problems for their shipments, or reduced their ability to market fresh berries in Canada. BLUEBERRY PLANT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM New Jersey regulations require that all blueberry plant, Vaccinium corybosum, growers, who intend to sell or distribute propagating wood, rooted cuttings or plants, to be certified. All participating growers are required to follow guidelines outlined in state regulation. Under the program, field inspections of blueberry plants entered in the program are performed two times a year. The first inspection is accomplished in the spring season and the second inspection is completed in the fall season. Visual inspection of the blueberry plants are conducted for the symptoms of stunt, shoestring, mosaic and red ringspot, as well as any other plant disease or insect infestation. A total of seven nurseries participated in the 2003 program. Six of the seven participating nurseries were involved with a voluntary program of screening for blueberry scorch virus. A total of 31,257 “mother plants” were sampled and tested. From this number, only nine plants, from a non-production field, were found to be positive for scorch and subsequently destroyed GYPSY MOTH SUPPRESSION In the spring of 2003, the Department supervised the treatment of 5,478 acres of forested residential and state properties using the non-chemical insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk). Predominately, single applications of Foray 48B were used at a dosage 36 B.I.U.’s (96 ounces) in the treatment. However, double applications were made on 1,226 acres in areas having more than 3,000 egg masses per acre. Because the Department was directly involved in the supervision of the program, New Jersey received $211,750 in USDA Forest Service funds to cover 50 percent of the aerial spray and survey costs. The municipalities that participated in the voluntary aerial spray program enjoyed greener, healthier shade trees and reduced larval nuisance. The 2003 statewide gypsy moth aerial defoliation survey showed gypsy moth defoliation occurring on 5,154 acres, infesting 58 municipalities in 16 counties representing an 88% decrease in defoliation over the 41,750 acres defoliated the previous year. Increased activity by Entomophaga maimaiga can account for the substantial decrease in gypsy moth populations throughout the state. In 2004, The Division plans to oversee treatment of approximately 84 acres of municipal properties using 36 B.I.U.’s of Btk. There are no double applications planned for this season’s treatment program. The only proposed treatment block is located in Cape May County. EMERALD ASH BORER SURVEY Surveys began in the state for the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis, a foreign wood- 4 boring insect recently discovered in the Midwest and Canada in 2002. Over 1,862 Forest Pest Alerts were mailed statewide to members of the nursery and landscape industry informing them about this exotic forest insect. Field surveys were conducted at over 211 sites composed of 2, 346 ash trees in 40 nursery locations, sawmills and native ash stands located in Bergen, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren Counties. All sites were negative for the presence of this insect in the state. APIARY INSPECTION Approximately 13,100 colonies entered New Jersey from other states for commercial pollination of fruit crops, blueberries, and cranberries. The Apiary inspection staff examined these colonies to validate the sanitary certificates issued by the shipping states. No significant disease problems were detected, however an increase in parasitic mite infestations was noticed. The Division worked with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Pesticide Control Program to secure Section 18 (emergency use) registration’s for the use of Bayer Bee Strips® (Coumaphos) to control fluvalinate-resistant varroa mites and small hive beetles and Apilife VAR, an essential oils treatment for controlling varroa mites resistant to Coumaphos and fluvinate. Low levels of varroa mites were observed during 2003 in colonies that were treated with Coumaphous. The State Apiarist participated in the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium (MAAREC), a regional research initiative between New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and Maryland. Research sponsored by MAAREC on finding new methods to treat mites, and to better understand the mechanisms by which mites cause honeybee colony death is underway at Penn State and Rutgers Universities. MAAREC is funded by each of the participating state universities and beekeeping organizations. The annual Rutgers University short-course “Successful Beekeeping” was held from April 25–27 2003, at Cook College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. The course was arranged and coordinated by the New Jersey Beekeepers Association and the state Apiarist. Topics included basics of hive management, honeybee biology, and control of mites and bee diseases. A total of 43 people, whose backgrounds ranged from beginners to experienced beekeepers, attended the two-day event. The Apiary inspection staff cooperated with USDA APHIS PPQ in surveying for Africanized honeybee around Port Elizabeth, New Jersey; all traps were negative for Africanized honeybee. SEED CONTROL In 2003, a total of 764 samples of seed were submitted to the Division’s Seed Laboratory for analysis. Thirty percent of these samples, collected by inspectors for regulatory purposes, were analyzed to determine seed quality and germination rates. Due to the redirection of Plant Laboratory staff to plum pox virus and mycotoxin testing, the number of seed samples collected for analysis in 2003 was decreased. Emphasis for sampling 5 and testing was placed on agricultural crop seed and commercial vegetable seed; with a significant reduction in the number of packet seed, combination and turfgrass seed products sampled. In order to monitor agricultural seed sold through farm supply outlets, 40 lots of vegetable seed and 66 lots of field crop seed totaling 720,010 pounds were inspected and sampled in 2003 for quality control analysis prior to being used by farmers. In addition, 16 lots of turfgrass seed totaling 48,650 pounds were sampled from wholesale distributors and sod growers. This turfgrass seed was also analyzed for germination and purity quality. Laboratory testing of these lots found that all samples germinated at or above the percentages listed on the label and were free of any noxious weed seeds. The general quality of vegetable seed sold in New Jersey directly to farmers is excellent and is accurately labeled. Seed companies do not provide vigor test information on their labels, and are not required by law to do so. Vigor testing conducted by the seed laboratory upon request of growers has provided valuable information to several sweet corn and pepper growers. Low vigor seed could have a disastrous financial impact on growers who plant seed early when germination conditions are less than optimal. In 2003, 41 tests for vigor were conducted for growers of sweet corn, peppers, spinach and soybeans. SEED CERTIFICATION Turf seed samples (21) were taken from lots of certified turf seed shipped to New Jersey from other States. These samples, which represented 123,000 pounds of certified turfgrass seed, were tested to determine eligibility for the interagency certified seed program. Certification program staff supervised mixing of 37,700 pounds of high quality turf seed. New Jersey sod growers used this seed to produce a high quality sod product. In 2003, Division staff certified 26 acres of conservation plant material developed by USDA. This stock is used primarily for coastal soil stabilization. Because of the important role the soil conservation plant material plays in coastline stabilization, the demand for plants to replant established sand dunes continues to remain high. PLANT LABORATORY SERVICES The Plant Laboratory Services unit provides laboratory support for regulatory inspection and insect rearing programs of the Division of Plant Industry. This year the laboratory supported the Seed Certification and Control program by monitoring the seed sold by seed companies directly to farmers, as well as seed sold on the retail market. Germination, purity, vigor and noxious weed examinations were performed on seed submitted to the laboratory. Our survey of seed germinations has assured the farmers that their seed will perform at the germination percentages specified on the seed labels under ideal conditions. Vigor testing information allowed the farmer to modify planting times as well as growing and storage conditions. Vigor tests conducted on certain seeds indicated that many of the high germination seed lots did not perform well under stressed conditions. Growers of sweet corn and peppers find these tests extremely beneficial to their operations. 6 The Plant Laboratory Services unit conducted vigor tests of sweet corn, soybeans, peppers, and spinach seed. Seed germination tests assure farmers that seed will perform at the germination percentages specified on the seed labels under ideal conditions. Vigor testing provides information on lots that might not grow well in cool or wet weather growing conditions. This information allows farmers to better manage planting times as well as growing, and seed storage conditions. The laboratory routinely employed five basic biochemical types of analysis. Gas chromatographic analysis of hydrocarbons and fatty acids has proved useful in identifying insects and plant diseases. Liquid chromatography was used to identify plant and seed varieties. Electrophoresis is also used to identify plants, seeds, as well as insects. Polymerize Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques were also used in the identification of insects, fungi, bacteria, and plant varieties; and immunological tests (ELISA) were used in the identification of plant viruses and mycotoxins. The Laboratory staff analyzed 78,480 samples of peach, nectarine and plum leaves in the spring and summer of 2003 for the Plum Pox virus; all results were negative. PCR testing (4,929 samples) was done on peach fruit and all were negative. Work continued with Rutgers University scientists to further develop and refine diagnostic tests for the detection of blueberry scorch virus. The test is now in an ELISA format and was used for large-scale laboratory screening of blueberry plants for the certification program. The screening of blueberries is important for the assurance of disease free propagative material. In addition, bioassay tests were performed for tomato ring spot virus of peaches, and for the presence of Fusarium in asparagus fields. Results from tests were forwarded to the growers. Plant Laboratory Services developed techniques using liquid chromatography to differentiate annual ryegrass from perennial ryegrass. Annual ryegrass can be a contaminant in perennial ryegrass in turfgrass seed. Grow out tests can take 45 days; fluorescence tests provide variable results. A collaborative project was initiated with Rutgers University scientists to develop an immunological test to determine annual ryegrass in perennial ryegrass seed lots. Monoclonal antibodies to the grass species were created in cell cultures and cross reactivity studies of them are being conducted. The laboratory supported the Apiary Inspection program through the analysis of bees for Varroa and tracheal mites, and testing for American foulbrood, which is a bacterial disease of bees. A testing program to monitor antibiotic resistance of the foulbrood bacteria is now in place. Mycotoxin fungi can be potentially dangerous to animals if they produce toxins in significant quantities on feed materials. The Division’s Plant Laboratory has set up a sophisticated mycotoxin protocol to screen and quantify the concentration of mycotoxins. The techniques involve a combination of ELISA tests, thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT PESTS 7 Under the Division’s Biological Control Program, insects are raised for release into the field to control agricultural and forest pests, as well as to protect the state’s natural resources and other open lands. The release of beneficial insects reduces the need for pesticides, reduces the amount of pesticide residue in the environment and minimizes pest resistance to valuable pesticides. The reduction of pesticide applications in the field also allows the native population of beneficial insects to increase, adding more pressure on the pest population. This year, the Division conducted seven biological control programs designed to establish new beneficial species in the state, reduce pest populations in certain crops, monitor pest populations to determine impacts and gather base line data, gather efficacy on new biological control programs and monitor established beneficial insect populations on a variety of crops to evaluate the need for augmenting those populations. Five of these programs required laboratory rearing of beneficial insects for release into the field. The goal is to reduce or maintain specific pest populations below economically significant levels. The Mexican bean beetle (MBB), (Epilachna varivestis, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) biological control program involves the mass production and release of small beneficial wasps (Pediobius foveolatus, Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) to control MBB. The Mexican bean beetle feeds on soybean foliage. The wasps, known as parasitoids, kill the MBB larvae. The parasitoids cannot over winter in New Jersey's climate, and must be raised in the laboratory and released into the field each summer. New Jersey farmers produced about 100,000 acres of soybeans in 2003. Approximately 80% (80,000 acres) of the total acreage was susceptible to feeding by the Mexican bean beetle. The parasitoid release program has been so successful in reducing MBB populations that no pesticide applications have been required on any soybean acreage for the past nine years. In 2003, this savings has amounted to approximately $340,000 in reduced pesticide applications. This program receives financial support from the New Jersey Soybean Board. Under a cooperative agreement with the USDA, Forest Service (USFS) and Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), the Division established a colony of ladybugs (Pseudoscymnus tsugae, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) a predatory beetle that feeds on Hemlock woolly adelgid, (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Homoptera: Adelgidae), a serious pest of the natural hemlock stands of the northeast, and continues to develop an efficient mass rearing technique. Since 1998, the Division has produced 265,260 beetles that have been released in 67 sites in NJ, and an additional 338,825 have been distributed among the eight northeastern states. Larvae of the predatory beetle have been recovered in the field for the last four years, confirming reproduction of the beetle in the field. In addition to the releases, starter colonies and the technology necessary to raise the beetles has been made available to private companies and other government agencies. Since 1988, Division staff has monitored eleven permanent study plots in an effort to document the impact of hemlock woolly adelgid on the State’s natural hemlock stands. New growth counts have been recorded annually to determine the quality and health of the trees at each site. When the trees become stressed, less new growth develops. Significant tree mortality was first 8 observed in heavily infested HWA study plots in 1995. Since that time tree mortality has steadily increased with some stands reaching as high as 100 %. Usually within two to three years of a heavy infestation tree decline becomes evident. Although mortality varies from plot to plot, the plots that have been heavily infested the longest demonstrate the most mortality. Stands with secondary pest problems, such as scale or mites, decline more rapidly than stands infested only with HWA. An exotic freshwater wetland plant, purple loosestrife, (Lythrum salicaria, Lythracaeae) is displacing the native flora of the marsh and threatening many animals that depend on those native plants for nesting, food and shelter. Large monotypic stands of this plant have the capacity to reduce ground water recharge, decrease water storage capacity of a wetland, reduce the marsh’s ability to attenuate floods, reduce open water space, reduce species diversity, and jeopardize the health and vitality of the marsh ecosystem. Until recently the only methods of control were chemical, physical or mechanical. All of which are expensive, temporary and often impact non-target species. The Division is mass-producing two beetles that feed on leaves of purple loosestrife, (Galerucella pusilla and Galerucella calmariensis, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), as part of a cooperative program with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish & Wildlife (DF&W) and with a grant from the USDA,APHIS. In 2003, over 150,077 Galerucella were released in NJ’s loosestrife infested wetlands. Since the initial releases in 1997, about 1.5 million beetles have been released at 69 sites in 16 New Jersey counties. Galerucella has been recovered from approximately 64 (90%) of the monitored release sites. After releasing the beetles for only five years, the purple loosestrife population collapsed at one site in Hunterdon County. Additionally, purple loosestrife populations in four Sussex County sites are showing signs of stress due to beetle feeding. The Division continued to cooperate with the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife’s, Endangered and Non-game Species Program staff by releasing beetles at three new sites inhabited by the bog turtle, Clemmys muhlenbergii, which is an endangered species. The Division has now released beetles at a total of 32 bog turtle sites. In addition, releases have been made at a number of sites including National Park Service lands, and sites managed by Natural Lands Management, The Nature Conservancy of NJ, Mercer County Park Commission, Union County Park System, Allentown Borough, Rider University, property managed by the NJ Meadowlands Commission, a mitigation site and private landowner properties. Also, since 1997, 212,600 beetles have been shipped to other states including Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire in an effort to establish field colonies within those states. EUONYMUS SCALE A tiny predatory beetle (Cybocephalus nipponicus, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is currently being laboratory reared and released in the landscape on plants infested with euonymus scale. A total of 500 Cybocephalus, was released at 1 site in Ocean county, Gloucester, Ocean and Atlantic in 2003. Establishment of the beetle has been verified in every county. Observations at a number of previous release sites has verified its ability to colonize on both small and large euonymus plants, regardless of the amount of exposure to the sun, and reduce scale populations. 9 Cybocephalus will feed on a number of species of diaspine (hard shell) scale. Fiorinia scale, (Fiorinia externa, Homoptera: Diaspididae) is a hard shell scale species that is commonly found on hemlock needles often causing a decline in hemlock vigor. Initial laboratory tests confirmed that Cybocephalus nipponicus beetles feed on Fiorinia scale. In 2003, a pilot project involving the release of the beetle, was continued to gather efficacy data on the beetles’ ability to feed and reproduce on Fiorinia scale in a native hemlock stand. Surveys of the release site proved the beetles not only remained on the hemlock but also reduced the scale population significantly. In addition, to evaluating the release plot, other natural hemlock stands were surveyed for the presence of the beetle. Beetles were observed in five of these stands. Since the observations were made in stands far removed from the release site, it is believed the beetle, which is established on euonymus plants throughout the state, dispersed naturally to these scale infested hemlock stands. It still is not known whether the beetle will reproduce on Fiorinia. This pilot project will be expanded in 2004 to include sleeve cage studies and an inundative release. Tarnished plant bug (TPB), (Lygus lineolaris Hemiptera: Miridae) populations are often observed in alfalfa but it seldom causes economic injury to this crop. However, large numbers of TPB can cause economic injury to stone fruit as well as other commercial crops. The Division received a foreign, exotic mirid parasitoid (Peristenus stygicus Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the USDA, Beneficial Insect Research Laboratory, Newark, Delaware to investigate its development as a biological control agent for tarnished plant bug. In 2001 a laboratory colony of TPB was established to support a colony of the parasitoid and in 2003, 932 P. stygicus were reared and released in an alfalfa field in Gloucester County during the months of July and August to evaluate establishment. Because of the extremely dry conditions in 2002 very few TPB were able to be collected in the release field but one P. stygicus was recovered from the nymphs that were collected. This pilot project is supported by EPA funds and will be continued in 2004. A European gall fly (Urophora cardui, Diptera: Eulophidae) whose larvae feed only on Canada thistle, Cirsium arevense, Compositae, has been established in Morris, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, Sussex and Warren Counties. Over wintering galls containing the larval stage of the fly were collected from Canada thistle plants located in field insectaries. The galls were stored in a field cage for protection from predation by ants. In early May the galls were removed from the field cage and redistributed to three new Canada thistle infested sites in Monmouth, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties. In addition to the new release sites, the gallfly is dispersing naturally and has been observed up to two miles from a release site. The goal of this project is to establish the gall fly in as many counties as possible in an effort to continually expose the thistle to biological pressure in anticipation that this pressure will have a detrimental effect on the health and vigor of the plants, weakening them and adding to the factors affecting the rate of mortality. 10