The primary purpose of this agreement is to develop and evaluate management strategies to protect nursery-grown ELM and zelkova stock from ELM zigzag sawfly and reduce the risk of spread through…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $100,312 cooperative agreement to North Carolina State University on July 1, 2026, to develop and evaluate management strategies protecting nursery-grown elm and zelkova stock from elm zigzag sawfly and reducing spread risk through nursery stock movement.

The recipient will evaluate the efficacy of three different systemic insecticide products for protecting nursery-grown and containerized elm stock from elm zigzag sawfly. Deliverables include insecticide efficacy data supporting management recommendations for systemic insecticide options in nursery-grown elm and zelkova; preliminary assessment of whether systemic insecticide residues in containerized soils may reduce elm zigzag sawfly spread through nursery trade pathways; and data on changes in foliar residual insecticide concentration in treated and untreated elm trees to support future retreatment interval recommendations. Work is performed in North Carolina with a period of performance through June 30, 2027. The intended beneficiaries are nursery stock producers, who will gain effective treatment options to prevent restrictions on elm stock movement, and forest managers, who will benefit from minimized elm and zelkova tree loss through restricted elm zigzag sawfly spread.

The primary purpose of this agreement is to develop and evaluate management strategies to protect nursery-grown ELM and zelkova stock from ELM zigzag sawfly and reduce the risk of spread through movement of nursery stock. Activities to be performed: this project will evaluate the efficacy of three different systemic insecticide products for protecting nursery-grown and containerized ELM stock from ELM zigzag sawfly. Deliverables and expected outcomes: insecticide efficacy data to support management recommendations for systemic insecticide options in nursery-grown ELM and zelkova tree stock. Preliminary assessment of whether systemic insecticide residues in containerized soils may reduce the risk of EZS spread through nursery trade pathways. Data on changes in foliar residual insecticide concentration in treated and untreated ELM trees, which will support future retreatment interval recommendations for ELM protection programs. Intended beneficiary(IES): nursery stock producers - developing effective treatment options for ELM zigzag sawfly will help to ensure that nursery stock movement is not restricted. Forest managers - restricting the movement of ELM zigzag sawfly will help to minimize the loss of ELM and zelkova trees.