4-H Forestry Project No. 8: Identifying Forest Insects and Diseases

Maintaining healthy forests is the primary goal of foresters and landowners. Pests, including insects and diseases, are serious threats to tree health, undermining productivity and income potential. However, not all insects, bacteria, or fungi are harmful; some insects are predators of insects that may be pests to trees, and plenty of fungi only feed on already-dead wood and help return nutrients to the soil.

With this in mind, it’s important to differentiate between beneficial species and pests. Learning to identify major insect and disease pests and their characteristics can help foresters and landowners make decisions that allow forests to reach their full potential.

In this project, 4-H’ers will create a comprehensive report detailing the attributes of major insects and diseases that can negatively affect Mississippi’s forests. This exploration will help you understand how to recognize, prevent, and manage insect and disease outbreaks.

These skills can help you prepare for 4-H forestry judging contests and give you a deeper understanding of nature—plus, you can learn about potential career opportunities in entomology, plant pathology, and forestry!

Project References

• 4-H Forestry Invitational Training Materials
• Bugwood.org
• Forest Pest Insects in North America: A Photographic Guide
• Forest Pests of North America
• Insects and Diseases of Trees in the South, USDA Forest Service General Report R8-GR5
• Mississippi Forestry Commission Forest Health
• Mississippi State University Extension Service Forestry
• MSU Extension Publication 4193 Brown Spot Needle Blight: Identification and Implications
• MSU Extension Publication 2876 Ips: The Other Pine Bark Beetles
• MSU Extension Publication 2748 Southern Pine Beetle in Mississippi: An Overview
• www.iNaturalist.org

Project Materials

• Paper (legal pad)
• 3-ring binder or notebook
• Black pen or a computer and printer

Optional Items

• A 32-by-40-inch piece of poster board or display foam board available at your local discount or art supply store
• A 32-by-40-inch piece of stiff cardboard or quarter-inch plywood (not needed if you use the display foam board)
• Felt-tip marker
• One example of insect damage and one example of disease damage from the list of major forest pests
• Two 3-by-5-inch index cards
• Sharp knife or small saw

Sources of Help and Information

• MSU Extension agents; find yours at your county MSU Extension office
• Area forester with the Mississippi Forestry Commission (Find Your Forester - MFC)
• District conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA Service Center Locator)
• Registered foresters (Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters)

Instructions

1. Using the suggested references and the provided form, prepare a brief written report on each insect and disease in the major Mississippi forest pest list. Each report should be on a separate page and include the pest’s identifying features, biology, symptoms, importance, control practices, and a picture. Please limit each report to 300 words or fewer.
2. Assemble the reports and signed project sheet into a notebook.

Major Forest Pests in Mississippi

Diseases

Insects

Optional Project Exhibit

You can enhance your project’s impact by creating an insect and disease damage visual aid exhibit.

1. Make your exhibit board by gluing white poster board (32-by-40-inch) on one side of a piece of heavy cardboard or a piece of quarter-inch plywood. This gives your exhibit enough rigidity to hold its shape. Another option is to use display foam board.
2. Using the suggested reference materials, prepare a 3-by-5-inch index card for each type of insect or disease damage you plan to exhibit. Type or clearly print the common name and a brief description of each insect or disease.
3. Title your exhibit “Forest Insect and Disease Identification.” Write or type the title in block letters 1.5 inches high, 1 inch from the top of the board.
4. Collect a sample that clearly shows the associated injury. This could range from bark showing bark beetle feeding galleries to twigs showing the evidence of defoliation. If possible, visit a local forester for assistance in locating a damaged tree.
5. Assemble the board. First, place your index cards and damaged specimens on the board without glue. Arrange the materials so all items fit and are neatly and evenly spaced.
6. After you are satisfied with the arrangement, glue the cards and samples onto the board.
7. Now that your exhibit is complete, use it as a visual presentation at club meetings or school. You might also want to use it as a window display or at a county fair.
8. If possible, have someone take a picture of you and your finished exhibit. You may want to include a photograph in your 4-H member record book.
9. Ask a local forester to check your exhibit and sign your record sheet. Include it in your current year’s record book.
10. Save this project sheet and other materials for future reference as you continue in other 4-H forestry projects.

Download the PDF for the full publication, including the project report form and project record sheet.

Publication 1687 (POD-10-26)

Revised by Kristy McAndrew, PhD, Assistant Professor, Forest Health Extension Specialist, Forestry, and James Shannon, PhD, Extension Specialist I, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, from earlier editions by Brady Self, PhD, Extension Professor, Forestry, and Andrew Ezell, Robert Daniels, and Andy Londo.