Simulating the effectiveness of three potential management options to slow the spread of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) populations in localized outlier sites

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo J. Mercader ◽  
Nathan W. Siegert ◽  
Andrew M. Liebhold ◽  
Deborah G. McCullough

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a devastating, invasive insect pest of ash trees, Fraxinus spp., in North America. Using a simulation model, we evaluated three potential management options to slow the spread of A. planipennis in discrete outlier sites: (i) removing ash trees to reduce available host phloem resource, (ii) girdling ash trees to attract ovipositing female beetles and destroying the trees before larvae complete development, and (iii) applying a highly effective systemic insecticide. Simulations indicate that systemic insecticide applications provided the greatest reduction in the radial spread of A. planipennis. In simulations in which management options were applied only within a 300 m radius from the origin of the infestation, insecticide applications reduced the radial spread by 30% and larval consumption of ash phloem by 40% beyond the treated area. In contrast, girdling ash trees reduced the radial spread by 15% and larval consumption of ash phloem by 20% beyond the treated area. Both of these management options significantly reduced the spread of A. planipennis when treatments were applied 1 to 4 years after infestations were initiated. Reducing ash phloem by removing ash trees decreased population size within treated areas but did not reduce the radial spread, population size, or larval consumption of ash phloem beyond treated areas.


2007 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
T. Davis Sydnor ◽  
Matthew Bumgardner ◽  
Andrew Todd

A survey of 200 communities with individuals such as urban foresters who have assigned responsibilities for their urban tree resource was conducted to provide baseline data on ash density within Ohio communities. Sixty-seven communities responded, including the five largest cities in Ohio. Data represent 25% of the population of Ohio and 33% of communities surveyed. Losses in landscape value for ash trees within community boundaries were estimated to be between $0.8 (median-based) and $3.4 billion (mean-based) assuming the complete loss of ash resulting from the emerald ash borer (EAB), a recently introduced exotic pest of native ash species in the United States. Tree removal costs would be somewhat smaller and range between $0.7 and $2.9 billion based on reported medians and means, respectively. Tree replacement costs in Ohio communities, including streets, parks, and private properties, would range between $0.3 and $1.3 billion. In aggregate, the total losses for Ohio communities, including ash landscape losses, tree removal and replacements, are estimated to range between $1.8 and $7.6 billion for a single insect pest in a single state. The potential total costs in Ohio are estimated to be between $157,000 and $665,000 per 1000 residents. Communities can use these figures to begin developing contingency plans.



2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J. Kelly ◽  
William J. Plumb ◽  
David W. Carey ◽  
Mary E. Mason ◽  
Endymion D. Cooper ◽  
...  

Genome-wide discovery of candidate genes for functional traits within a species typically involves the sequencing of large samples of phenotyped individuals1, or linkage analysis through multiple generations2. When a trait occurs repeatedly among phylogenetically independent lineages within a genus, a more efficient approach may be to identify genes via detection of amino acid residues shared by species possessing that trait3,4. Here, by taking this approach, we identify candidate loci in the genus Fraxinus (ash trees) for resistance to the emerald ash borer beetle (EAB; Agrilus planipennis), a pest species that appears innocuous to otherwise healthy ash in its native East Asian range5 but is highly destructive in North America6 and poses a threat to ash trees in Europe7. Assembling whole genome sequences for 24 diploid species and subspecies of ash, and estimating resistance to EAB for 26 taxa from egg bioassays, we find 53 genes containing amino acid variants shared between two or more independent Fraxinus lineages with EAB-resistant species, that are unlikely to be due to chance or undetected paralogy. Of these, seven genes have putative roles relating to the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and 17 are potentially connected to herbivore recognition, defence signalling or programmed cell death. We also find that possible loss-of-function mutations among our 53 candidate genes are more frequent in susceptible species, than in resistant ones. Patterns of polymorphism for the EAB-associated amino acid variants in ash trees representing different European populations suggest that selection may be able to enhance their resistance to EAB.



2016 ◽  
Vol 366 ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo J. Mercader ◽  
Deborah G. McCullough ◽  
Andrew J. Storer ◽  
John M. Bedford ◽  
Robert Heyd ◽  
...  


2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Hoyer-Tomiczek ◽  
Gernot Hoch

Abstract Early detection of infestation by the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis is extremely difficult; hence developing additional methods is desirable. We built on the successful use of canine scent detection for the invasive long-horned beetles Anoplophora glabripennis and Anoplophora chinensis and trained six dogs in detection of EAB. A first test series was performed to evaluate detection accuracy of five of these dogs. Seven different experimental settings were tested under single blind conditions: (1) forest nursery, (2) piles of firewood, (3) firewood on the ground, (4) ash logs on the ground, (5) old urban ash trees, (6) urban forest with ash trees and (7) natural forest with ash trees. In total, 214 positive samples were presented to the dogs, out of which 20 remained undetected. The experiments ascertained sensitivity (correct positives of all positives) ranging from 73.3 to 100 percent and specificity (correct negatives of all negatives) from 88.9 to 99.8 percent in the tested settings. This initial study demonstrates that trained dogs are able to detect EAB scent from sources such as larval galleries in bark/wood, frass, living or dead larvae or dead dry beetles. The numbers of tested dogs and test series were limited, and further studies are needed to confirm the initial results. However, the preliminary findings demonstrate the potential of the method particularly for inspection of wood or plants at entry points.



2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Tanis ◽  
Deborah McCullough

Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis), first identified near Detroit, Michigan, U.S., in 2002, has killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in 28 states and two Canadian provinces to date. Trunk injections of insecticide products containing emamectin benzoate (EB) (e.g., TREE-ageR) are often used to protect ash trees in landscapes from EAB, but wounds and potential injury resulting from injections are a concern. Researchers examined 507 injection sites on 61 trees and recorded evidence of secondary wounding (e.g., external bark cracks, internal xylem necrosis and pathogen infection). Researchers assessed 233 injection sites on 22 green ash and 24 white ash trees macro-injected with a low or a medium-high rate of EB in 2008 only, or in both 2008 and 2009. Only 12 of 233 injection sites (5%) were associated with external bark cracks and there was no evidence of pathogen infection. On 39 of the 46 trees (85%), new xylem was growing over injection sites. Researchers assessed 274 injection sites on 15 green ash trees injected annually with EB from 2008 to 2013 or injected in 2008 and again in 2011. Bark cracks were associated with four injection sites on three trees, but no evidence of injury was found on the other 12 trees. All 15 trees had new xylem laid over injection sites. Confocal laser scanning and polarizing digital microscopy were used to assess the integrity of discolored xylem tissue removed from the immediate area surrounding 140 injection sites on 61 trees. Researchers found no evidence of decay associated with discoloration.



Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drogvalenko ◽  
Orlova-Bienkowskaja ◽  
Bieńkowski

Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a devastating invasive pest of ash trees. This wood-boring insect is native to Asia and established in European Russia about 20 years ago. It severely damages Fraxinus pennsylvanica plantations and quickly spreads. In 2019 we first detected A. planipennis in Ukraine. More than 20 larvae were collected from under the bark of F. pennsylvanica trees on 5 September 2019 in the Markivka District of the Luhansk Region. The coordinates of the localities of collection were 49.614991 N, 39.559743 E; 49.614160 N, 39.572402 E; and 49.597043 N, 39.561811 E. The photos of the damaged trees with larval galleries, exit holes and larvae are presented. It indicates that A. planipennis is established in the east of Ukraine. This fact is important for development of quarantine protocols to prevent or at least slow the further spread of this invasive pest in Europe.



Author(s):  
Deborah G McCullough

Abstract Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), discovered in southeastern Michigan, USA in 2002, has become the most destructive and costly invasive forest insect in North America. This phloem-boring beetle has also invaded Moscow, Russia and continued spread of EAB potentially threatens European ash (Fraxinus spp.) species. This review summarizes EAB life history, including interspecific variation in host preference, invasion impacts and challenges of detecting new infestations and provides an overview of available management tactics. Advances in systemic insecticides, particularly emamectin benzoate products applied via trunk injection, have yielded effective and practical options both to protect individual trees and to slow EAB population growth and ash decline on an area-wide basis without disrupting natural enemies. Economic costs of treating ash are substantially lower than removal costs, retain ecosystem services provided by the trees, reduce sociocultural impacts and conserve genetic diversity in areas invaded by EAB. Girdled ash trees are highly attractive to EAB adults in low-density populations and debarking small girdled trees to locate larval galleries is the most effective EAB detection method. An array of woodpeckers, native larval parasitoids and introduced parasitoids attack EAB life stages but mortality is highly variable. Area-wide management strategies that integrate insecticide-treated trees, girdled ash trap trees and biological control can be adapted for local conditions to slow and reduce EAB impacts.



2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean J. Turgeon ◽  
Jeffrey G. Fidgen ◽  
Krista L. Ryall ◽  
Taylor A. Scarr

AbstractAgrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is causing extensive mortality of ash (Fraxinus Linnaeus; Oleaceae) in North America. Once detected in an area, resource managers require methods to obtain estimates that could improve management decisions. We studied the within-crown and within-branch distribution and abundance of A. planipennis feeding galleries by sampling 3-m-long branches from asymptomatic urban ash trees and subdividing each branch into 12 sections of 25 cm each. We found galleries in all 12 sections of some, but not all, branches. Section was a significant source of variation in A. planipennis gallery density/m2 of branch surface area. A comparison of predictive power and efficiency of estimates for samples of increasing length, and for samples of the same length but consisting of different combinations of sections, revealed that those based on the two basal 25-cm sections of a branch from the lower-crown or mid-crown of an asymptomatic tree were less accurate and precise than those based on more sections, but were the most cost effective. Whittling more sections per branch, irrespective of the combinations of branch sections per length, improved predictive power but reduced cost effectiveness. We also observed that crown level was not important, and aspect was only marginally so, when estimating gallery abundance per sampled branch.



2015 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah G. McCullough ◽  
Rodrigo J. Mercader ◽  
Nathan W. Siegert

AbstractPractical and effective strategies to manage emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are increasingly important given economic and ecological impacts of this invader. While EAB detection remains challenging, tactics are available to protect individual ash (Fraxinus Linnaeus; Oleaceae) trees and slow EAB population growth, thereby delaying ash mortality. Simulations with a coupled map lattice model, parameterised with data from numerous field studies, showed treating trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide (TREE-äge™; emamectin benzoate), would be more effective in slowing EAB population growth than girdling trees to attract ovipositing females then destroying trees before larvae develop, while harvesting ash to reduce available phloem would have the least effect. From 2008 to 2012, cooperators participated in a pilot project to implement an integrated strategy for an EAB infestation in Upper Michigan, United States of America. Ash was inventoried and EAB density monitored using girdled ash detection trees supplemented with baited artificial traps across the >750 km2 project area. While only a tiny fraction of ash trees in the project area were girdled (444–855 trees annually) or injected with TREE-äge™ (<360 roadside trees annually), and treatment distribution was restricted, both treatments slowed EAB population growth. Coupling TREE-äge™ injections with other tactics will likely yield additive or synergistic outcomes.



2015 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese M. Poland ◽  
Yigen Chen ◽  
Jennifer Koch ◽  
Deepa Pureswaran

AbstractAs of summer 2014, the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), has become established in 24 states in the United States of America and has killed tens of millions of ash trees since its introduction into Michigan in the 1990s. Considerable research has been conducted on many aspects of EAB life history, natural history, ecology, and management strategies in an attempt to contain this devastating pest. In this article, we review the life history, mating behaviours, and host plant selection by EAB in North America as well as host resistance to EAB attack.



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