US: Washington state launches crowd sourcing pest detection initiative
The Lily Leaf Beetle and the Southern Green Stink Bug are both new pests of concern for commercial growers and home gardeners and are the focus of the initiative. WSDA is asking those who see these insects to submit photos and pest locations on WSDA's Exotic Pest Survey webpage. Data from these sightings will provide important information for monitoring and managing the pests.
Washingtonians have a strong track record for detecting new pests. According to WSDA Entomologist Chris Looney, citizen reports of unusual insect activity account for about 30% of total exotic pest detections in Washington since 1990. Both the Lily Leaf Beetle and the Southern Green Stink Bug were first noticed and reported by alert gardeners in Western Washington.
"What makes crowdsourcing possible for the Lily Leaf Beetle and the Southern Green Stink Bug is that both of these insects look very distinct. They are not easily confused with other native insects," Looney said. "As such, public sightings of these insects are likely to be correct, providing a highly-reliable source of information for the state."
Although the reporting system has only recently been launched, confirmed public reports already demonstrated that both the Lily Leaf Beetle and the Southern Green Stink Bug are more widespread in Washington than originally believed.
WSDA will hold two community meetings to share information about the Lily Leaf Beetle, show how to report sightings online, and sign up those interested in a biological control project. The community meetings will be held at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7 at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue.
Community involvement is key for the crowd sourcing initiative. In addition to the public meetings, WSDA is partnering with Washington State University Extension and Master Gardener programs to educate the public about these pests and encourage online reporting.
Visit agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPests/Exotics/ to learn more, register for the community meetings, and to submit your own sightings of these pests.