Mercader, Rodrigo J., Nathan W. Siegert, Andrew M. Liebhold, and Deborah G. McCullough. 2011. "Simulating the Effectiveness of Tree Potential Management Options to Slow the Spread of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Populations in Localized Outlier Sites." Canadian Journal Forestry Research. 41: 254-264.
Initially, I thought this article might reside outside the scope of my paper. But leading researcher McCullough took part, and it mentioned outlier sites, so I requested it through our interlibrary loan.
It wasn't until three days later, as I walked with my dog under the branches of ash trees, that I realized the full implication. Mankato itself is an "outlier site"!
Let me explain further. Imagine the invasion of a new pest is a giant, slow-moving storm cloud. Everyone can see it coming, inching along slowly and leaving destruction in it's wake. But the most significant portion of this storm is the front. Massive and black, foreshadowing a cold rain. This is the outlier portion. First a few drops are felt, the wind keeps still save for one or two gusts.
Only after the front passes is the storm truly upon the community.
Right now, Mankato is about to be an outlier site. The bug is two hours north and two hours east. It's a matter of time before it becomes one. So how should the city prepare? This article examines different possibilities regarding the management.
The clear winner is imidicloprid, the pesticide. Using this curbed the spread and infestation the most.
The implication are big for the pesticide industry. Also for communities who harbor concerns regarding such use. The University of Minnesota put out a great document addressing those concerns. Does the pesticide harm other insects or birds? They conclude that it does not. But in an honest assessment, they mention how harmful it can be to groundwater and honeybees. The bees won't get the insecticide from the tree, but if the area around the tree is injected, and there are flowers in that area, then the bees could be killed.
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