Biocontrol Agent for Japanese Knotweed Released in New York
The Knotweed Psyllid (Aphalara itadori), a sap-sucking insect native to Japan, was released on June 10 by Dr. Bernd Blossey and colleagues at Cornell University. A week after releasing the 2,000 A. itadori adults at two locations in New York’s Tioga and Broome counties, the researchers found the insects had successfully laid thousands of eggs. The releases in New York State are part of a nationwide effort with similar releases made in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, West Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington State.