1. Colorado CAPS personnel were contacted in 1997 with special requests for survey information available through the CAPS program. The requested information was downloaded from the NAPIS database, summarized and forwarded as requested.
A. Dr. Dan Simberloff, a leading Ecologist (Florida State University) personally requested information from Colorado CAPS personnel. Dr. Simberloff is one of a group of scientists who has provided information and expertise to Vice-President Gore with regard to biological invasions in the U.S. Information provided by this group will be used by government officials to guide policy making with regard to the development of a national strategy on alien invasive species.
B. Dr. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University Extension Entomologist requested current data from the Colorado Japanese Beetle Survey, which was presented at a meeting of the Colorado Nursery Growers Association.
C. Dr. Mike Antolin, Department of Biology, Colorado State University requested musk thistle biocontrol information for a literature review presentation.
D. Eric Lane, Colorado Dept. of Agriculture Weed Coordinator requested copies of the 1996 Colorado CAPS annual report.
2. Karnal bunt surveys were conducted in 39 counties in Colorado in 1997 (an increase of 8 counties in the 1996 survey). As of 29 October, 339 samples had been analyzed at the CSU laboratory and found to be negative for Karnal bunt spores. This is the second consecutive year in which no Karnal Bunt was found in Colorado.
3. Japanese beetle trapping resulted in 2 new county records in Colorado in 1997. Beetles were recovered for the first time at one nursery each in Weld and El Paso counties. Beetles were recovered for the second year in Adams, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Mesa counties and for the third year in Boulder county. The existence of an established population of JB in Boulder county has not been established, and results of larval surveys (soil samples) conducted in the spring in Boulder county were inconclusive. A total of 233 adult JB were recovered at 14 sites in 8 counties. No beetles were found in Chaffee, Delta or La Plata counties.
3. An extensive survey was conducted in three counties in western Colorado to determine the presence/absence of Hessian Fly. This survey was conducted at the request of the Colorado Hay Growers Association because the insect poses restrictions on valuable grass hay that is exported to Japan. During the season, 38 fields were surveyed (visual, tiller examination and sweep samples) in Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties and no signs of Hessian fly were found.