Aussie pest creates havoc in LA
From AAP
26dec01
LOS ANGELES: A tiny Australian tree-eating bug the size of a pin head is causing mayhem in
Los Angeles amid fears the insect could cost ratepayers millions of dollars in damage
claims from falling trees.
The Red Gum Lerp Psyllid was discovered three years ago in California and has killed as
many as 20,000 gum trees in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
The assistant general manager of the city parks department, Jim Combs, said the damaged
trees which are prevalent in recreational areas and along highways could fall down or
break resulting in costly damage claims.
"We lost the battle with the bug," he told the Los Angeles Times today.
"We have a liability that has increased a hundredfold because of this."
Officials fear a repeat of a case last year when the city was forced to pay US$7.6 million
to a man who was paralysed when a palm tree fell on him.
In Australia the red gum lerp psyllids are kept under control by other native insects.
The city has trialled an Australian wasp with some limited success but not enough to stop
the spread of the bug.
More than one million ladybugs, which are known to feed on the psyllids, were released in
a separate program but they have not been effective.
The city of Los Angeles has allocated US$2.3 million to initially cut down 5,000 eucalypts
but it may cost as much as US$5 million to remove all problem trees.
END
OF REPORT
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