An invasive beetle species is currently threatening pawpaw trees across Appalachia due to recent inclement weather events.
Chris Chmiel, co-owner of Integration Acres, said the infestation is part of a complex set of circumstances.
“The Ambrosia beetles tend to attack trees that are stressed out,” Chmiel said. “The stress that primarily seems to, as far as tree stress goes, is when there’s extreme rain events.”
Chmiel said some tree species, like pawpaw and redbuds, are vulnerable to heavy rain.
According to the USDA Forest Service, adult Ambrosia beetles attack spring through fall, depending on the species.
Chmiel said he is still learning about the beetles and their function in the environment. He also said Clifford England of England’s Orchard shared ways with him to control the issue before it takes root, including setting up traps and using natural pesticides when the beetles are more active.
England said once a tree becomes infested, the best course of action is to cut it down and burn it.
According to the USDA Forest Service, the best way to prevent damage is to remove and process wood quickly.
Chmiel said he is unsure if the infestation will affect future pawpaw festivals.
“We can all assume that those trends of more extreme rain events are going to keep happening, so I would probably say it may affect us, but I think it’s good we’re trying to learn about it,” Chmiel said. “We’re going to try to educate folks about it, and maybe we can take some action to help mitigate the future potential impacts.”
Azzure Horne, a freshman studying botany and plant biology, expressed concern about environmental loss.
“It’s unfortunate that more people in this area do not know about (pawpaws) and how accessible they are,” Horne said.
Zoltan Eadie, a freshman studying theater and acting, said as a boy scout, he has seen many invasive species wipe out ecosystems.
“Not every community has this type of fruit, and because of that, (Athens) likes to celebrate the difference and have a festival,” Eadie said. “This does have issues whenever you have an invasive species, like this beetle, posing threats.”
