Wasps vs. ash borers

We can expect wasps to overrun the country when this is completed. It seems that all foriegn introductions of plants, animals or insects cause them thrive. Examples are the zebra mussle, the plant that ate the south, sparrows, etc. I find this new solutions scary.

It is scary, especially after seeing what Africanized bees have been doing.

I think its a neat idea however what do you do when the Wasp population gets out of control after feasting on millions of beetles? Remember the delicate balance was upset when salmon were introduced to contrl the population of alewives, now the salmon are so dense you are hard pressed to catch large fish as there are more fish than food to support them. It has had a negative effect on the sport fishing (tourism) because no body wants to spend money just to catch a few mediocre salmon.

Here we go again. With everything we try to do to protect ourselves from invasive species, one would think they would have learned that trying to outwit Mother Nature never seems to work out as planned.

What will the wasps feed on when the Ash Borers are gone? Probably some beneficial insect. I can see the headlines now: "Honey Prices Rise as Chinese Wasp Eradicates Ash Borer And Honey Bees Alike"

Don't forget the coyote fiasco. Lets release coyotes to take care of the raccoons .... that one was brilliant.

Does anyone else recall the Cane Toad problem in Australia? Not that they are mistaken. It may assist in removing the Emerald Ash Borer but what if...oops! It also feeds on honey bees! Or if they over populate as a result and cause other Unforeseen problems? I guess as inhabitants of this world, should we be searching for a "natural" solution to the "problem" (nature actually being the problem, if you can call it that since it is merely an inconvenience to us, not a threat in any way as far as I can see)? Sad to see these trees be attacked but hey, plant new ones, or genetically mutate some that are immune to the Ash Borer. Or let Mother Nature do her stuff and get out of the way. I am as guilty as the next person but as a species we are fairly arrogant and really take the balance of nature and our ability to persuade or control it for granted. Some day we (humans living in society) will be repaid for our uninhibited overuse of the planet. It will be our offsprings' problem but as individuals (not waiting for a program or some incentive) to get on the ball, recycling, composting, gardening, and generally striving toward working with and not using up our resources.

Oh yeah....they'll be our mongoose problem...probably won't do anything with the ash borer at all, but instead inject other bees, or worms or something and kill off all native bugs.

Now if we could get something to rid us of WASPs we would be good.

Did they not try this with the Gypsy Moths as well? I do not see the moths around my tress getting any less severe. But the wasp's nest around my place are thriving!

I can see it now... wait until they start opening up nail salons and Chinese restaurants.

Our environment will become global sooner or later. Those cargo ships carry more than goods.

What do you mean nobody likes to catch salmon! They are the best, who wants to go perchin, or better yet troll lake michigan for a couple slimy lake trout that managed to make it out of the nets scattered throughout lake michigan.....
Anyway I think that the wasp thing could work, but I'd just say I better not get stung by one of these things. Better yet all those who are allergic to bee stings and such. Is the government going to provide epi pens for all the sting victims!

I could go on....

Mike wrote:

I think its a neat idea however what do you do when the Wasp population gets out of control after feasting on millions of beetles? Remember the delicate balance was upset when salmon were introduced to contrl the population of alewives, now the salmon are so dense you are hard pressed to catch large fish as there are more fish than food to support them. It has had a negative effect on the sport fishing (tourism) because no body wants to spend money just to catch a few mediocre salmon.

rjhall wrote:

Now if we could get something to rid us of WASPs we would be good.

Yes. I completely agree!

Then what do they import from different countries to kill the wasps? Does anybody else think that bringing an insect from a different country is just a bit foolish?

Maybe the wasps will kill the orange lady bugs.
We can hope.

Next we can import some rare bird species to eat the wasps. Then some wild cat to eat all the excess birds. Then we can all go cat clubbing, and simply pound the cats to death with golf clubs.

Then I will need a new set of clubs. I have been looking for a reason to buy a new set for years.

hi

OK what happens when the ash borer is gone or the wasps can't find ash borer eggs? What native species will this wasp start trying to attack? We've all seen the problems that happen when you introduce a new foreign species into an environment. Many times THEY become a pest that we have to deal with. For example, the "false" ladybeetles that we are innundated with each fall in swarms that cover everything (and THEY bite). Those were introduced from Asia to help with some kind of issue with soybeans down south. Now THEY are a pest here. I can't remember the last time that I saw (for sure) one of our native ladybeetles. Have they been pushed out by these foreign insects? I used to enjoy seeing ladybeetles, but now they are not enjoyable because the vast majority of the ladybeetles that I see are the foreign ones, and they are a nuisance.
Have these researchers gone as far as checking to see what the wasps will do once they have done their job with the ash borer? Will they change their diet or will they die out if they can't find ash borer eggs? Have they investigated the environmental impact that these foreign wasps will have? I'm all for eradicating the ash borer, but at what cost? I'm afraid we'll replace one pest for another.