Chemical Ecology of the Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis

Abstract

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a serious invasive pest that has caused devastating mortality of ash trees (Fraxinus sp., Oleaceae) since it was first identified in North America in 2002. Shortly after its discovery, surveys were conducted, based on the visual inspection of trees. The shortcomings of visual surveys have led to a critical research need to find an efficient survey method for detecting A. planipennis infestations. Here, we present a review of research that has led to the development of effective trapping methods for A. planipennis. Studies on the insect's biology and behavior have led to the identification of several potential attractants as well as the design of a visually attractive trap. The ongoing challenge in developing an optimally efficient trapping methodology for A. planipennis will involve finding the best combination of variables, such as trap shape, trap color (or other visual properties), trap placement, lure components, as well as the ratios and release rates of those components.

Forest Health Management and Detection of Invasive Forest Insects

“…After the discovery of EAB in North America, initial monitoring was based on the visual signs and symptoms of infestation such as D-shaped exit holes left by the emerging adults, longitudinal cracks in the bark over the S-shaped larval galleries, canopy dieback, epicormic shoots and woodpecker damage [90]. Accurate detection and monitoring methods of EAB populations and newly established infestations have been difficult to develop, which greatly hinders the ability to effectively manage for this pest.…”

“…Furthermore, a long range pheromone has not yet been detected for EAB [92]. Two short range, contact pheromones produced by adult emerald ash borer females have been identified that are antennally attractive to the males and have been used to improve trap captures [80,90,93,94]. Currently, key survey methods include the use of external signs and symptoms, green and purple sticky prism traps baited with ash volatile lures, green multi-funnel traps, trap logs, and using girdled trap trees which are an expensive and destructive method [15,88,92,95].…”

“…Artificial traps include the sticky prism traps [87,88], double-decker traps [95,97,98], and Lindgren green multi-funnel traps [78,99]. The manufactured sticky prism traps currently used for EAB are visually attractive purple and green made from corrugated plastic covered in sticky glue, which are typically baited with host volatile lures [88,90]. Efforts in the United States include deploying thousands of these baited purple prism traps [100,101].…”

“…Adults are also attracted to specific shades of green and purple [88]. Host volatiles produced by ash are attractive to adult beetles and bark sesquiterpenes and green leaf volatiles have been identified [78,[89][90][91]. These volatiles often increase with host stress and girdled ash trees in particular are highly attractive to adult EAB [86,87,89,91].…”

Detectability of the Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Asymptomatic Urban Trees By Using Branch Samples

“…Prior to the arrival of the emerald ash borer in North America, little was known of its chemical ecology or that of its congeners (Crook & Mastro 2010). It now is understood that the emerald ash borer depends largely on volatiles and visual cues to locate hosts and uses visual cues and short-range sex pheromones to locate mates (Crook & Mastro 2010;Silk & Ryall 2015). The lack of economic importance of most native Buprestidae has precluded the need for conducting such basic chemical ecology research, and thus little is known about them.…”