Sven-Erik Spichiger

Washington State Department of Agriculture | WSDA · Entomology Branch

Studies were conducted from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate spotted lanternfly (SLF) distribution and developmental suitability of different plant species in the U.S. Tree bands on 283 trees spanning 33 species captured 21,006 SLF in 2 yr. More SLF per tree were trapped on tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) than...

Studies were conducted from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate spotted lanternfly (SLF) distribution and developmental suitability of different plant species in the U.S. Tree bands on 283 trees spanning 33 species captured 21,006 SLF in 2 yr. More SLF per tree were trapped on tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) than...

In September 2019, destruction of a Vespa mandarinia Smith 1852 nest was reported for the first time in North America in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. In December 2019, the Washington State Department of Agriculture also confirmed the first detection of an adult specimen of V. mandarinia in the United States, in Whatcom County, Washington. Ves...

Checklists provide information about the species found in a defined region and serve as baselines for detecting species range expansions, contractions, or introductions. Bees are a diverse and important group of insect pollinators. Although some bee populations are declining, these patterns are difficult to document and generalize due to a lack of...

In 2019, Vespa mandarinia Smith, 1852, was detected at two sites each in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington State, USA. One of the detections led to the location and destruction of an active nest in Nanaimo, BC, raising concerns that the species may be established in the region. The human health danger, ecological risk, and impacts on apiary...

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), is an invasive phloem feeder recently introduced into North America that attacks a broad range of woody plants. When feeding in large numbers, they can seriously damage or kill a tree. Their preferred host is the invasive tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae), but...

A chipping study was conducted during the winter of 2015 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, to determine efficacy against field collected egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae). Infested Ailanthus altissima Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) trees in eastern Pennsylvania were felled and egg masses were...

The invasive species Phytomyza gymnostoma (Loew) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), also know as the Allium Leafminer, is reported from the United States for the first time. The first specimens were collected in Lancaster County, PA, USA in December 2015. An additional 19 counties in Pennsylvania and two states were confirmed in 2016. The species’ North Ameri...

Larinus turbinatus Gyllenhal, a Palearctic weevil that feeds on thistle species of the genera Cirsium and Carduus (Asteraceae: tribe Cardueae), is newly reported for North America. It was first collected by sweep net sampling of flowers of pasture thistle Cirsium pumilum (Nutt.) Spreng. at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania in late J...

The invasive species Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) is reported from the United States. The first specimens of Lycorma delicatula were collected in Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA in September 2014. The species’ North American history of distribution, pest implications, and brief observations on their biology in the New World ar...

The newly introduced mosquito Aedes japonicus has expanded from its original range in Northeastern Asia to 29 US states (including Hawaii) plus Canada and northern Europe. Our objectives were to test an earlier hypothesis of multiple introductions of this species to the Northeastern US and evaluate putative temporal changes in genetic makeup. Using...

Field surveys of the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, and associated parasitoids were conducted in Cranberry Township, PA from 11 Mar to 23 Oct 2008. Several species of parasitic Hymenoptera were collected from EAB-infested green ash trees or reared from late-instar EAB larvae, prepupae, and/or pupae. These included Balcha in...

Observations on emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, and its natural enemies were made at Cranberry, PA in 2007 and 2008. Several species of parasitic Hymenoptera were recovered from late instar EAB larvae and prepupae, including Balcha indica Mani & Kaul, a eupelmid previously recovered from A. planipennis in Michigan. Woodpecke...

A checklist of 62 species of mosquitoes found in Pennsylvania is presented. In addition, new state records for 9 species are as follows: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles earlei, Culiseta minnesotae, Ochlerotatus atlanticus/Oc. tormentor, Oc. dupreei, Oc. infirmatus, Oc. thibaulti, Psorophora howardii.