Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact 


for 


Field Release of Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake 


(Coleoptera: Derodontidae), 


a predatory beetle for Biological Control of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, 


Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), in the Continental United States 


June 2010 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pest Permitting Branch is proposing to issue 

permits for release of a nonindigenous predatory beetle, Laricobius osakensis (Coleoptera: 

Derodontidae) into the environment in the continental United States. This species would be 

released by the applicant as a biological control of the hemlock wooly adelgid (HW A), Adelges 

tsugae, an invasive pest of hemlock trees (Tsuga spp.) in eastern North America. Since 

Laricobius osakensis is non-indigenous to any State, territory or possession of the United States, 

issuing a permit for release into the environment is subject to the APHIS' National 

Environmental Policy Act implementing regulations (7CFR Part 372). Therefore, prior to 

proposing to issue permits for release of L. osakensis, APHIS prepared an environmental 

assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences of this action. The EA 

is available from: 

u.S. Department of Agriculture 


Animal and Plant Health inspection Service 


Plant Protection and Quarantine 


Registrations, Identification, Permits, and Plant Safeguarding 


4700 River Road, Unit 133 


Riverdale, MD 20737 


http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant healtll!ealindex.shtml 


The EA analyzed the following two alternatives in response to a request for permits authorizing 

environmental release of L. osakensis: (1) no action, and (2) issue permits for the release of L. 

osakensis for biological control of hemlock wooly adelgid. A third alternative, to issue permits 

with special provisions or requirements concerning release procedures or mitigating measures, 

was dismissed from analysis because no issues were raised that indicated that special provisions 

or requirements were necessary. The No Action alternative, as described in the EA, would likely 

result in the continued use at the current level of chemical and biological control methods for the 

management of hemlock wooly adelgid, as well as the loss of hemlock tress in areas where 

controls are not feasible or effective. These control methods or tree losses described are not 

alternatives for decisions to be made by the Permit Unit, but are presently ongoing in eastern 

United States and may continue regardless of permit issuance for field release of L. osakensis. 

Notice of the EA was made available in the Federal Register on May 20, 2010 for a 30-day 

public comment period. One comment was received on the EA, which was in favor of the 

release of L. osakensis. 
I have decided to authorize the APHIS-PPQ Permit Unit to issue permits for the environmental 

release of L. osakensis. The reasons for my decision are: 

• 	 This biological control agent is sufficiently host specific and poses little, if any, threat to 

the biological resources, including non-target psyllid species, of the continental United 

States. 

• 	 The release will have no effect on federally listed threatened and endangered species or 

their habitats in the continental United States. 

• 	 L. osakensis poses no threat to the health of humans or wild or domestic animals. 

• 	 No negative cumulative impacts are expected from release of L. osakensis. 

• 	 There are no disproportionate adverse effects to minorities, low-income popUlations, or 

children in accordance with Executive Order 12898 "Federal Actions to Address 

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations" and 

Executive Order 13045, "Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and 

Safety Risks." 

• 	 While it is unknown whether release of L. osakensis into the environment will be 

reversible, there is no evidence that this organism will cause any adverse environmental 

effects. 

I have determined that there would be no significant impact to the human environment from 

issuing permits for release of Laricobius osakensis into the environment in the continental 

United States. 

irko, Director Date 

Registration Imports Permits and Plant Safeguarding 

Plant Health Programs 

USDA APHIS PPQ,