Host-Range Testing of Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a Candidate for Biological Control of Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima

Abstract

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, tree-of-heaven, is an invasive species native to Asia. It first was introduced into the United States in the 1700 s and now is distributed throughout much of North America. Mechanical and chemical controls are current suppression tactics, however, implementation is costly. A weevil, Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold), was identified in China and imported for quarantine testing in 2004 as a potential biological control agent. Host specificity tests on adult feeding, larval development, and oviposition of this weevil were conducted from 2007 to 2011 on A. altissima and 29 nontarget species. Eucryptorrhynchus brandti adults fed significantly more on A. altissima foliage when compared with all test species. Range of means for feeding on A. altissima was 32.5-106.5 mm(2)/adult/d. In no-choice tests, Simarouba glauca DC, Leitneria floridana Chapm., and Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F., had feeding rates of only 10, 49, and 10%, respectively, compared with the level of feeding on A. altissima. The mean range of adult feeding by E. brandti on all other test species was <7% of feeding on A. altissima (0.0-3.3 ± 5.0 mm(2)/adult/d). In the no-choice larval inoculation tests, larval development only occurred in two of 10 L. floridana seedlings compared with seven of 10 A. altissima seedlings. In the no-choice oviposition tests, oviposition and subsequent larval development did not occur in L. floridiana, whereas all seven A. altissima seedlings supported oviposition and subsequent larval development. The weevil did not appear to be a threat to L. floridana or any other nontarget species tested. Therefore, we conclude that Eucryptorrhynchus brandti is highly host specific to A. altissima.

Novel trunk trap net designs for the control of Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Tree of heaven is native to China and is an invasive plant in North America . It is an important part of the landscape, and because of it is highly tolerant of poor air quality and soils, it is found particularly in shelter belts, which are widely planted in provinces in northern China . There have been a number of reports of damage to and even death of A. altissima and A. altissima var.…”

Occurrence and development ofEucryptorrhynchus brandtiandE. chinensis(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) onAilanthus altissimatrees subjected to different levels of mechanical damage

“…Studies by Herrick, McAvoy, Snyder, Salom, and Kok (2012) report that E. brandti is highly host specific and poses no or little risk to nontarget species. While this study showed that E. brandti may be a secondary pest in China, it is also considered a pest in its native range and is controlled to reduce damage and death to A. altissima.…”

“…When considering introduction of a biological control agent, information on its impact in its native range is important in assessing the benefits and risks of introduction (Legner & Bellows, 1999). Eucryptorrhynchus brandti is being considered as a candidate for biological control in the USA and was found to be highly host specific to A. altissima (Herrick, McAvoy, Snyder, Salom, & Kok, 2012). A successful rearing method was developed by Herrick, Salom, Kok, and McAvoy (2011).…”

A novel adhesive trunk trap net for trapping Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…The weevil Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a destructive wood‐boring insect pest of tree‐of‐heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) in China . Tree‐of‐heaven is native to China and extensively planted for soil and water conservation and shelter belts in northern China .…”