SLELO PRISM

SLELO PRISM is seeking volunteers to assist with an emerald ash borer biocontrol monitoring program that will occur in 2025 once a week from June to September, at the SUNY Oswego University Rice Creek Field Station. A virtual training will be provided in May and guidance will be given during each monitoring survey. 

The purpose of this project is to determine if three parasitoid wasps (Oobius agrili, Spathius galinae, and Tetrastichus planipennisi) have become established at the site. These wasps have been deployed as part of an effort to naturally suppress populations of the invasive emerald ash borer.

Surveys in 2024 resulted in presence confirmations for all three parasitoid wasps. Positive presence of the parasitoid wasps must occur for two consecutive years for the site to be deemed a success. 

Volunteers will assist with the deployment and weekly monitoring of yellow pan traps at the site. They will learn how to identify the target biocontrol agents and assist with collecting and examining the specimens found in the traps.  Guidance will be given during each monitoring survey by the SLELO PRISM Terrestrial Restoration and Resilience Coordinator, Robert Smith. Specimens collected from the traps will be examined through microscopes at the Rice Creek Field Station and sent to a lab for confirmation.

Project Overview:

• Purpose: To determine if three parasitoid wasps (Oobius agrili, Spathius galinae, and Tetrastichus planipennisi) have become established at the site; these wasps were deployed on site in past years as part of an effort to naturally suppress emerald ash borer populations. Learn more about our biocontrol program.
• Location: SUNY Oswego Rice Creek Field Station,  Brownell Rd., Oswego, NY 13126.
• Training: Guidance will be given at each survey; a webinar training will be provided, and a recording will be shared.
• Survey Frequency: Every Wednesday beginning on June 4th and ending on September 10th, 2025.
• Survey/ Duration: Plan for an estimated 3-4 hours, depending on the number of volunteers and specimens collected.
• Correspondence: Volunteers will receive an email on Mondays to confirm their attendance for the weekly survey. 

Volunteer Duties:

• Assist pan trap surveys at 15 sites at the SUNY Oswego Rice Creek Field Station (to occur once a week).
• Collect and examine specimens retrieved from the traps (with guidance).

Volunteer Skill Requirements:

• 18 and over
• Willingness to conduct outdoor fieldwork, even in unpleasant environmental/weather conditions. Surveys will be held rain or shine!
• Able to provide yourself with ample field gear, including closed-toe shoes that are good in muddy conditions, a long-sleeved shirt, full-legged pants, a hat, sunglasses, etc.
• Ability to use or learn to use a microscope