Many collaborators are working closely with SWD ipmPIPE, providing developmental lab data and seasonal incidence data collected from monitoring traps from numerous fruiting crops across North America and Canada. Researchers are contributing SWD monitoring data to the mapping project to better understand the phenology and activity of SWD across environments. Researches at OSU (Len Coop, Amy Dreves, and others) are currently refining Degree-Day phenology model as updated regional trapping data comes in from around the country. Presently, most monitoring traps (2010-2012) are baited with apple cider vinegar (5%) and a drop of soap or a yeast-sugar mixture (ref. pending) placed on crop borders and serviced at least weekly. In some locations, samples of fruit are checked for the presence of SWD larvae. New designs and baits are currently being tested to improve efficacy.
What is done with trapping information collected from field(s) and from lab studies?
Each entry is given an ID code to maintain confidentiality. Data is entered into an Excel spreadsheet and incorporated into a database. We believe in maintaining confidentiality and privacy and will include a preamble/disclaimer explaining the purpose of the maps to avoid misuse/misinterpretation of data such as: Intended for general and research use, not for management purposes. We sometimes map and bundle several counties into areas within a state, as required by the format of the maps. We may also not include commodity type. Relative abundance obtained from trap counts are not intended to be interpreted in any exact way, nor represent infestation levels. It is more to show general spatial and temporal trends, and perhaps over time, propensity for build-up at certain times of the year due to host type and environmental factors. Varying colors on map will reflect a range of trap catch and not reflect infestation levels (e.g., less than 1/trap, 1-5, 5-15, 15-50, etc). The information from all the locations being surveyed will identify fields by: county in which trap is located, crop or host type, whether the host is managed or unmanaged, and some details about the type of trap and bait used. The monitoring data are mapped by the Bugwood Network Project (U. Georgia - Joseph LaForest) and by IPPC-Oregon State University (www.ipmnet.org/) and linked to SWD website hosted by Oregon State University, so that researchers, Extension personnel, Agricultural professionals, industry personnel, and growers will have access to the same objective, real-time information on the pest's activity/abundance. As this project develops, more specific information will most likely need to be shared with researchers for analyzing the pest's life cycle and regional dynamics. Again confidentiality is important to us, too.