Letter to Thomas Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Letter

Today, on the heels of reports of the harm armyworm larvae have caused in Western New York, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer sent a letter calling on U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack to elevate the armyworm to the agricultural research service's (ARS) priority list of pests and to have APHIS produce a report with an updated guidance for controlling the pest.

Armyworm larvae typically appear in mid-June, but are kept in check by predators. This year, however, reports indicate that storm systems blew the adult moths that produce the larvae into Western New York in late-May, well before their main predators--egg-laying flies and a virus that disperses throughout fields--arrived. While these and other predators will significantly reduce the population, it does not appear that they will be able to eliminate them entirely as they usually do.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last issued guidance on the pest in 2005. The agricultural research service (ARS), which is APHIS' research arm, does not currently list the armyworm on its research list because it does not consider it a "high priority pest." Senator Schumer, however, is hoping to change that.

"The USDA's should rank the armyworm a "high priority pest.' Additionally, I urge them to update its guidance for controlling the armyworm as soon as possible and mobilize the resources at its disposal to help farmers and homeowners," said Schumer. "It has been seven years since USDA issued its last guidance, and New Yorkers cannot wait another seven years while this pest devours their fields and lawns."

New York last experienced notable infestations in 2001 and 2008. The bugs typically do not overwinter in New York; instead, they are carried north from southern states by moths in the Spring. The migrations of these are difficult to predict, however, because they are sporadic and cyclic from year-to-year.

Unlike in past years, local farmers have reported that a second and third-wave of the infestation is possible if the pests are not completely eradicated. Many farmers fear that the second wave could occur just as crops are reaching their summer peaks. The potential for a drawn-out infestation and further damage to already stressed crops is forcing farmers and homeowners to spray crops and fields with chemical insecticides more often, causing a spike in insecticide sales. While increased sprayings might slow the pests' advance, it is uncertain whether they will be enough to completely eradicate them.

Cornell University currently has a National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant to study the pest, but this most recent infestation has made clear that more work needs to be done.

A copy of Schumer's letter to Secretary Vilsack appears below:

Thomas Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I write to express my concerns in regards to the recent outbreak of the pest commonly known as the armyworm in western New York. These pests are devastating a wide range of crops from wheat to corn to specialty crops, leaving farmers field's decimated. As New York farmers have already suffered major losses from late season frosts this year, it is critical that the USDA leverages its extensive resources to assist farmers by elevating the armyworm to the agricultural research service (ARS) priority list of pests and to have APHIS produce a report with an updated guidance for pest control.

New York is no stranger to the destruction of the armyworm as it had devastating effects on crops during the 2008 growing season. The current infestation of armyworms migrated from southern states this spring in record numbers, which has resulted in one of the highest known populations of the pest to date. They move quickly from field to field in enormous numbers devouring crops in their path. Many of the state's wheat, hay, sweet corn, Swiss chard, rye, and lettuce fields have been destroyed due to the massive infestation this year.

I commend the USDA for its enduring commitment in battling pests and invasive species that have plagued our nation's farmers. Past contributions of resources under the NIFA program to universities such as Cornell for research have proved to be most valuable, but in light of the increasingly widespread infestations of the armyworm this year it is critical that USDA devotes additional resources to combat this devastating pest. I urge the ARS to add the armyworm to its list of priority species in order to direct research resources devoted to pest control to studying the armyworm. Additionally, I urge APHIS to produce a report investigating the current extent of the infestation and update of the 2005 guidance on armyworms taking into consideration new prevention, eradication, and control methods.

Thank you for your attention to this request and commitment to battling pests that plague our nation's farmers. Please feel free to contact my Washington office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

U.S. Senator

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