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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 14, 2017)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 14, 2017 11A Samurai wasp takes on invasive stink bug A natural enemy has ar- rived to help control the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive pest that devastates gardens and crops, particularly orchard fruits and nuts. The samurai wasp (Tris- solcus japonicus) is a tiny insect that hunts for the egg masses of brown marmorat- ed stink bugs (BMSB) and lays an egg inside each egg in the mass. Since there are 28 eggs in a cluster, that’s the potential for 28 more wasps. The parasitic wasp develops inside the egg, effectively killing the stink bug, and then chews its way out. The brown marmorated stink bugs, which showed up in Oregon in 2004, feed on more than 100 plants, particularly vegetables, pears, apples and hazelnuts, but also ornamentals. The economic damage to com- mercial crops in Oregon hasn’t yet been determined, but is substantial in other parts of the country, said David Lowenstein, an Ore- gon State University Exten- sion Service entomologist. The damage done by brown marmorated stink bugs to crops and garden plants makes discovery of the samurai wasp all the more important, he added. So far, tests to determine the success of the samurai wasp against the invasive stink bugs have been posi- tive, said Lowenstein, who was the lead author on a guide to identifying the samurai wasp. “The wasp is a better way to control BMSB because it’s a biological control agent that reduces the need for chemicals — which are only somewhat effective — and K YM P OKORNY These Polk County groups would welcome individuals who have time or expertise to volunteer. Organizations that would like to be added to this list should call 503-623- 2373 or email IOnews@polkio.com. Your Garden it’s a specialist,” he said. “It doesn’t lay eggs in other in- sect eggs except those of other stink bugs.” Homeowners must deal with the added nuisance of the shield-shaped bugs in- vading houses, especially in fall when they’re looking for a place to overwinter. “Brown marmorated stink bugs are unmistakable be- cause of the stinky, irritating odor when they’re crushed,” said Vaughn Walton, an en- tomologist with OSU Exten- sion. “They move from wild host plants to our gardens and then in large amounts into our homes. That’s when people get really upset. Bugs inside freak people out.” Control is difficult, how- ever. Research has shown that pesticides are only a short-term solution and will kill other beneficial insects, including the samurai wasp. Brown marmorated stink bugs can be distinguished from other stink bugs by the bands on their antennae. In spring, adults start eating and laying eggs on the un- dersides of leaves. Within a week, the eggs hatch into immature bugs and eventu- ally adults and the process starts again. The bug could reproduce up to three times a year depending on condi- tions, said Vaughn Walton, an entomologist with OSU Extension who helped pro- duce a guide on the invasive pests. The wasp is native to East https://flic.kr/p/U5bRgQ Once the brown marmorated stink bug eggs have been parasitized, the samurai wasp chews its way out, leav- ing a jagged hole. Asia, the same range as the brown marmorated stink bugs, so is a natural enemy and probably hitched a ride on a ship. Scientists at OSU, including Lowenstein, had already begun rearing and studying the beneficial in- sect in the lab when it was found last year in 11 areas in the Willamette Valley, in- cluding several in Portland. Since none had been re- leased from the lab, the dis- covery is significant. This summer Lowenstein and other researchers will revisit those areas and some nearby to see if the wasp survived the winter. “Some natural enemy controls do great in the lab, but don’t perform as well in the field,” he said. “But the fact that it’s already wide- spread across Portland is a positive sign that it can withstand conditions in Oregon.” Wooded areas, particular- ly those bordering orchards, are most likely to serve as habitat for the wasp, which can move quickly over long distances. But since the stink bugs have migrated into urban locations, experts expect the wasps to survive there, as well. The public can serve a key role in samurai wasp re- search by collecting possible brown marmorated stink bug egg masses and report- ing them to Lowenstein on a form at the Wiman Lab web- site, where more informa- tion, tips and photos are available to help with identi- fication. In short, look for black eggs, which means they’ve been parasitized. Once the wasps emerge, there will be irregular holes. Taking photos is strongly encouraged. MI TOWN Our gardens are growing by leaps and bounds and the apple tree in the back- yard promises lots of good- ies for pies and applesauce, or just to pick for a quick snack. The grapevines are full of the tiny clusters which will materialize all too quickly into bowls of fresh grapes. Standing knee-deep in June in MI Town makes all the long winter rains and damp springtime days al- most worth it. Future plans of backyard barbecues and concerts in the park and endless glasses of lemonade make every day better than the day before. — For many years, numer- ous studies regarding nutri- tion and the ability for chil- dren to learn and succeed in school have shown that good breakfasts and lunch- es can make all the differ- P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist ence. Many families depend on MI Town’s school lunch programs to provide their children with free and nutri- tious meals during the school year. Now that school is out for the sum- mer, meals will continue to be provided Monday through Friday, from June 14 through Aug. 25. For In- dependence students, meals are served at Inde- pendence elementary (breakfast, 7:30 a.m. and lunch at noon); Henry Hill (lunch at noon and supper at 4:30 p.m.); Park West Apartments (lunch at noon). Monmouth locations are at Ash Creek elementary (lunch at noon); and Mon- mouth elementary (lunch at noon). Talmadge Middle School will hold an orienta- tion for new students and incoming sixth-graders the week of Aug. 21 through 25, and will be serving breakfast and lunch during that time. There may be field trips and other activities, so please check with your nearby school regarding times and activities. All children up to the age of 18 are welcome to participate in this program, where meals are provided at no cost. The meal sites are closed on Tuesday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. — These bright summer days give us all an opportu- nity to really enjoy walks around our communities to see all the positive changes MI Town’s merchants and businesses have made. Whether it’s for lunch or to meet a friend for coffee and to see the new items for sale, it’s truly a pleasure to park the car and find just about everything we need in our community. The beautiful hanging baskets and festive banners bring a smile to our faces as we proudly show off our towns to visiting friends and family. — Want to meet a NASA Sci- entist? Come to the Mon- mouth Library on June 21, at 3 p.m. Both Independence and Monmouth libraries have wonderful summer programs for readers of all ages. There are free books, bookmarks, all kinds of in- formation about movies and summer programs, as well as drawings for prizes. PEDEE NEWS Today there will be a party for Audrey Cameron, who is retiring from 25 years of teaching at the Weekday School of the Bible in Dallas. The open house will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lyle Chapel, across the street from Lyle Elementary School, so you’ll have time to get there if you read this by 2. Audrey’s birthday was on Saturday, so granddaughter Caitlin and husband, Zach Kelley, and her kids Nick and Addi came from Dallas, Texas, to be at both the birthday and retire- ment parties, much to Au- drey’s delight. For her birth- day, all went to the beach and had a beautiful day. — Pedee School had several end-of-the-year activities. Twenty-seven seventh- and eighth-graders went on a raft trip on June 6-7 on the lower Deschutes near Maupin and had a great time. Eight- A RLENE K OVASH Columnist grade promotion was on Monday, and 13 eighth- graders were promoted, in- cluding Dominic Abad, Le- l a n d Fa r r i o r, Mo n t a n a Friedow, Dustin Gagznos, Ha v a l a h Ga i t h e r- Ly e l l , Nokomis Lee, David Lutz, Jordan Myers, Anthoney Newton, Logan Russell, Hannah Smith, Ava Spencer, and Travis Wagoner. Most of them will be going to Dallas or Central high schools. — Kings Valley School had their biggest class of seniors yet this year, with 13 stu- dents graduating on June 10. Valedictorian Jacob North VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES will be going to Oregon State University and majoring in bio-engineering and possi- bly physics, and hopes to take enough credits to grad- uate in three years. He re- ceived an honors certificate for his outstanding work. Other Pedee students who graduated were Brady Tarvin and Glenn Mott. Anna Lam- mers-Fullmer of Hoskins was the other valedictorian. — Annika Mellein and Al- lana Russell helped each other celebrate their May birthdays with fun parties. Allana turned 12 on May 19 and spent the afternoon playing with her family and other party guests and eat- ing dinner outside around a fire pit with them. Then she, her sisters and brother, and Annika and her brother Leo slept outside in tents that night. Annika’s ninth birth- day was celebrated on May 27 at her house with a Can- dyland game theme. Several friends came over and the kids made an oversized game board, with huge lol- lipops and other candies, then were their own game pieces as they played the game. It was a birthday to remember. — I just got back from a trip to Washington, D.C., with American Agri-Women, where we visited govern- ment agencies and talked to them about what they can do for farmers and rural citi- zens, plus we visited our congressional delegates to tell them of our concerns. This year AAW got to lay the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Only one family or organization is chosen to lay the wreath each day, and we were cho- sen for June 4. It was a mov- ing ceremony. • AARP Foundation Tax-Aide – 503-930-7636 • After DARC — 503-623-9501 • American Cancer Society Road to Recovery — 1-800-227-2345 • Arc of Polk County — 541-223-3261 • Ash Creek Arts Center – 971-599-3301 • Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Polk County Inc. — 503-623-8473 • Central School District — 503-838-0030 • City of Dallas — 503-831-3502 • City of Independence — 503-838-1212 • City of Monmouth — 503-751-0145 • Crime Victims Assistance Program — 503-623-9268 • Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce — 503-623-2564 • Dallas Fire Department — 503-831-3532 • Dallas Food Bank — 503-623-3578 • Dallas Kids, Inc. — 503-623-6419 • Dallas Police Department — 503-831-3582 • Dallas Public Library — 503-623-2633 • Dallas Retirement Village — 503-623-5581 • Dallas School District — 503-623-5594 • Delbert Hunter Arboretum — 503-623-7359 • Ella Curran Food Bank — 503-838-1276 • Falls City Arts Center — 503-559-6291 • Falls City School District — 503-787-3531 • Family Building Blocks – 503-566-2132, ext. 308. • Friends of the Dallas Library — 503-559-3830 • Girl Scouts of Southwest Washington and Oregon — 1-800-338-5248 • H-2-O — 503-831-4736 HART (Horses Adaptive Riding and Therapy) — 971-301-4278 • HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley — 503-363-1651 • Heron Pointe Assisted Living — 503-838-6850 • Independence Health and Rehabilitation — 503-838-0001 • Independence Public Library — 503-838-1811 • Kings Valley Charter School — 541-929-2134 • Luckiamute Watershed Council — 503-837-0237 • Luckiamute Valley Charter School — 503-623-4837 • Meals on Wheels — 503-838-2084 • Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce — 503-838-4268 • Monmouth-Independence yMCA — 503-838-4042 • Monmouth Public Library — 503-838-1932 • Northwest Human Services — 503-588-5828 • Oregon Child Development Coalition — 503-838-2745 • OSU Extension Service - Polk County — 503-623-8395 • Perrydale School District — 503-623-2040 • Polk Community Development Corporation — 503-831-3173 • Polk County Community Emergency Response Team — 503-623-9396 • Polk County Museum — 503-623-6251 • Polk County Public Health — 503-623-8175 • Polk County Resource Center — 503-623-8429 • Polk Soil and Water Conservation District — 503-623-9680 • Relief Nursery Classroom — 503-566-2132 • SABLE House — 503-623-6703 • SALT (Senior and law enforcement together) — 503-851-9366 • Salvation Army — 503-798-4783 • SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) — 503-391-8423 • Salem Health West Valley Hospital — 503-623-8301 • Victim Assistance Program-Polk Co. District Attorney’s Office — 503-623-9268 x1444 • Willamette Valley Hospice — 503-588-3600 • WIMPEG Community Access Television — 503-837-0163 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Continued from page 10A — TUESDAY, JUNE 20 • Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club — 6 to 7 p.m. weigh-in, 7 to 8 p.m. meeting, First Christian Church basement, 1079 SE Jefferson St., Dallas. Meetings offer programs and activ- ities aimed at losing weight. Open to anyone. First meeting is free. • Dallas Wingdingers RC Flying Club — 7 p.m., field near Valley Life Center, 1833 SE Miller Ave., Dallas. 503-623-7288. • Polk County Coin Club — 7 p.m., Monmouth Senior Cen- ter, 180 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-362-9123. • Overeaters Anonymous — Noon to 1 p.m., Salem Health West Valley, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Support group meets in the quiet room/chapel immediately inside the emer- gency entrance on Clay Street. Dee Ann White, 971-718-6444. • Independence Riverview Market — 1 to 6 p.m., Riverview Park and Amphitheater, 50 C St., Independence. 503-910-8193. — WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 • Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon, Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members; available every Wednesday. 541-404-6517. • Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank — 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutoff Road, Building E, Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members. 503-831-5634. • Day-2-Day Diabetes Support Group — 3 to 4 p.m., Salem Health West Valley (main conference room inside main en- trance), 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. 503-623-7323. Yard Sale Season is here! We can make it easy for you! Advertise it in our classifieds! Please call Dawn today! 503-623-2373 www.polkio.com
