Wasps spread around upstate

ALBANY - Almost three years since a pine-killing wasp was found in upstate New York, its first discovery in any American forest, scientists have caught others in traps from western New York to the Adirondacks.

The Sirex woodwasp, native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, kills pines and sometimes other conifers by introducing a toxic mucus and fungus when the female lays her eggs through the bark and into the sapwood.

“Currently there are 25 infested counties,” state Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman Kim Chupa said. While there are no impact data yet, infestations so far appear to be in poor quality stands of trees, or in stressed trees in otherwise healthy stands, she said.