Dr. Lori Winton beats a broom rust to release a spore cloud. In the spring, the causal fungus produces a foul odor to attract insects for cross-fertilization. The tree responds to this pathogen by growing the characteristic brooms #AlaskaForestHealth https://bit.ly/3s3STJG
Ever heard of frass? And what does it have to do with defoliation? 🐛💩 Learn about these and a recurring insect outbreak from Forest Service Entomologist Dr. Elizabeth Graham. https://vimeo.com/584107779
Have you seen this gall on chokecherry? Alaska IPM is tracking the distribution of the chokecherry gall midge and could use your help! This small, orange fly larva lives inside the fruits of chokecherry trees. The berry expands into a fleshy, hollow gall that protects the larvae as they develop. If you see these galls please submit a photo of the galls on the tree as well as the location of the tree to the UAF Cooperative Extension Service pest reporter to help us map the occurrence of this insect in Alaska: https://pestreporter.alaska.edu/