Years ago, we found multiple uses for a microbe that we had been manufacturing. It would increase the amount of synthetic snow, so less refrigeration power was needed to “powder the slopes”. The same microbe, when injected into Elm trees arrested a disease that was devouring the entire population. Unfortunately, by the time we were done with our studies, there weren’t enough trees left to support a commercial product.
Well now, there’s a new scourge attacking Eucalyptus trees in California. These menthol scented trees are all over California. Starting in 1985, a longhorned borer was attacking the trees. And, as this was removed as a threat, some 16 other insects over the last 27 years have been found. And, all of these insects are native to Australia.
Drs. Timothy Paine, Jocelyn Millar, and Kent Daane found these to be rather curious. Because the insect invasions did not arrive in a routine or random fashion. But, in waves. As in biological terrorism.
A little history. The Eucalyptus tree in California is like the Kudzu in the South. Even though there are millions of these trees around, and many folks think they are native to the region, they are not. These trees were brought here and have begun (already managed?) to overcome the local flora. In the case of the Eucalyptus, they were brought as seeds before the Civil War, during the days of the gold rush. (Kudzu were brought here in 1876 for the Philadelphia Exposition- and then again to different areas during the depression to control erosion.) As such, many environmental groups (such as the California Invasive Plant Council) consider the eucalyptus to be invasive plants, and they need to be stopped. Others worry that the eucalyptus tree are fodder for those massive forest fires.
The researchers published their findings in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Economic Entomology. And, have found these natural pests have been (in their opinion) deliberately brought over to eradicate the eucalyptus tree. They arrive in waves (1983-4, 1990-1, 1994-5, and 1998-9. Then, 2000, 2003, and 2008.) However, there is no direct evidence, just the presence of the insect invasion waves themselves.
But, still…. The pests come into Southern California (LA or Orange Counties). If they were opportunity-based, then they should be introduced in Northern California (and would not just have migrated there). (After all, Oakland is a busy port and San Francisco is a hub for Australian flights, too.) Moreover, the pests are exclusively aimed at the eucalyptus.
Curious, isn’t it?
That is weird, very weird. I can’t think it would be that hard to figure out though. Travel and import is very well documented so whether it is some kind of accident or a purposeful import of these buggers you’d think it would be easily traceable if someone wanted to trace it. If it is someone doing it they aren’t very smart. The problem with getting rid of the trees would be like getting rid of the Kudzu all at once. It wasn’t natural to the area always, but it has replaced and invaded so much that to lose it now would be a devastation to the ecology I’d think. Interesting article, Roy.
Lisa Brandel recently posted..Heart A Glow by Lisa Brandel
The insects do trace to Australia, Lisa. But, that is as far as one can trace them, since they are natural pests.
Thanks for the comments.
Roy
Nature rarely tolerates unbalance and we as humans can’t seem to ‘get’ that. We are our own best friends and worst enemies at times with our assumptions that we can control this world. Interesting to see what happens as this progresses.
Bonnie recently posted..Because you Can
Yes, this is curious. Sounds like another government project that is funded by the U.S. taxpayers.
Janette Fuller recently posted..Handmade Greeting Card From Upcycled Picture Postcard
Actually, Janette, it was funded by the USDA who found it most curious that these trees were dying and wanted to know why. I think it was a valid use of funds (part of the Cooperate State Agriculture program).
Roy
I have friends that have a property in Riverside County that has a grove of eucalyptus trees that suffered that insect invasion during one of those waves you mentioned. Curious. I love a good conspiracy theory, but this one, I think, has merit.
Julia Neiman recently posted..The 7 C’s of Success
Julia…
I fear that this conspiracy theory has merit, as well…
As they say, just because your paranoid does not mean someone is NOT following you…
Hmmmmm….so now we have to worry about wickedly stealthy bug terrorists??? Perhaps the Navy SEALs can eradicate the varmints…do SEALs eat bugs??? Just a little humor there…seriously though, the whole situation is rather odd!
I hope we won’t have to have the SEALS go after the terrorists, should they exist, Lynn…
And, this whole scenario just bugs me!
Roy
EEEEEEUUUUUUU. Bugs, terrorists and unnatural trees. Invaders of the lost arp-arp (that was a seal). I was almost a master gardener in South Texas, but my project was probably better suited for a doctoral dissertation and I couldn’t finish it. Anyway. I know enough about invasive plants and animals to know that none of this is good, no matter how it gets solved. Do you supposed Mother Earth is a menopausal old biddy who wishes we would just leave her alone? You don’t have to reply to this. I’m trying to be funny and dying on stage.
Ann Mullen recently posted..Help for Seniors: 8 Ways Funeral Homes Will Try To Rip You Off
Don’t you hear the sound of one hand clapping, Ann?
Having worked with microbes for years, we always called them bugs, too!
Not a whole nother set of bugs. Enough already. We are having a trying time with West Nile Virus in North Texas. I hate mosquitoes, creepy little blood-sucking injection needle-nosed vampires.
Ann Mullen recently posted..Help for Seniors: 8 Ways Funeral Homes Will Try To Rip You Off
This is weird and interesting at the same time. What kind of effects does it have if it “attacks” on other trees. Have they done that?
Look, look, we have a new kind of terrorism! 🙁
Hajra recently posted..Why you will always be too young / too old for social media.
Yup, Hajra, and from the looks of it, this is DOMESTIC based!
I was born in San Diego and have lived there several times in my life. These trees are all over the city. I for one love them though so it is sad to think that someone would deliberately do harm to the population. I would definitely say that the occurrences do not appear to be natural. I can understand conserving the natural fauna of the area, but there are other ways to control a plant population that does not have to include introducing new diseases and insects that could potentially cause other harms.
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Gen:
I’m with you. These is really confounding- and with ramifications that go beyond scary!
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Interesting article, Roy. We have other problems besides Kudzu down here, like the muscogee ducks that were introduced to help with our water plant problem and the Cuban tree frogs that are eating our native frogs, and in the Everglades and now even up here in Central Florida exotic snakes. A 17 footer with 80 some eggs in her was killed in the Everglades yesterday. Wow. I hope CA can figure out their problem before it’s too late.
We have similar problems here with snakefish… Which seem to be the primary denizen of many of our smaller streams and lakes now.
However, there is a concerted effort to rid these pests. That is not the case (or at least not the stated case) by any governmental authority in the California area…
Thanks for the comment and visit, Bonnie!
This article was really great and to be honest you show something really interesting in here sir.. I love it…
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Fatima:
Thank you so much for your comment and liking my post. I appreciate it!
No prob sir, I appreciate you post in here too keep it up the good work sir god bless…
Fatima Hipolito recently posted..לימודי הדרכת הורים
To you as well- may next week start a wonderful new year for you.