Rail transport as a vector of emerald ash borer

Abstract

The emerald ash borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an invasive woodboring beetle native to northeastern Asia that continues to expand its range within North America and European Russia. The insect reproduces within and kills most North American species of ash Fraxinus spp. Because both the adult and larval life stages of EAB are difficult to detect prior to development of tree symptoms, much work has focused on quantifying spread and clarifying the potential movement pathways to improve early detection and monitoring strategies. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed county‐level infestations of emerald ash borer in the state of Iowa, U.S.A., subsequent to the initial detection of EAB in 2010. Visual data analysis had suggested that new infestations were not in accordance with the expected patterns of establishment along roads, near campgrounds or by large population centres. We found a positive correlation between the establishment and detection of EAB in Iowa counties and the length of railroads in each county. To our knowledge, this is the first statistically significant association between rail pathways and the spread of EAB on the North American continent.

Predicting the potential for spread of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in Great Britain: What can we learn from other affected areas?

“…A study of firewood bundles purchased from retailers selling direct to the public in the Rocky Mountains, USA found that over 50% of the bundles contained at least one species of insect with some larvae taking 18 months to emerge from the firewood (Jacobi et al, 2012). Orlova-Bienkowskaja and Bieńkowski (2018) argue that the spread of EAB through transport of firewood is less likely in Russia with longdistance dispersal mainly driven by other processes such as adults hitchhiking on vehicles (Orlova-Bienkowskaja & Bieńkowski, 2018;Short et al, 2020;Straw et al, 2013). Hitchhiking is much harder to control; however, given the current extent of spread in Russia, it seems likely that at least some dispersal occurred via infested wood or saplings.…”

Optimal planning of multi‐day invasive species surveillance campaigns

“…EAB has destroyed ash populations in much of the eastern United States and eastern Canada (Herms & McCullough, 2014; Kovacs et al., 2010; McKenney et al., 2012). EAB spread is assisted by vehicular transport (Buck & Marshall, 2008) and movement of infested materials (Haack, Petrice, & Wiedenhoft, 2010; Short et al., 2019). Early detection of EAB is problematic because tree damage does not become visible for at least 2 years, so new finds usually indicate pre‐established populations (Poland & McCullough, 2006; Ryall et al., 2011).…”

Survival and Recovery of the Pine-Tree Lappet Dendrolimus pini When Subjected to Simulated Starvation

“…Usually, the spread of insects is characterized by stratified dispersal (e.g., the establishment of new colonies far from the moving population front or growth of individual colonies), which includes natural short-distance spread by flight [54]. Long-distance insect spread can be enhanced by the anthropogenic transport of infested material, like wood or plants (e.g., firewood, biomass, nursery material) [22,55]. The majority of alien insect species were accidentally transported with imported goods or by travelers [12], for example, the lesser budmoth, Recurvaria nanella (Denis and Schiffermüller) with living plants [12,56] and the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, which arrived in infested solid wood-packing material [55,57].…”

“…Long-distance insect spread can be enhanced by the anthropogenic transport of infested material, like wood or plants (e.g., firewood, biomass, nursery material) [22,55]. The majority of alien insect species were accidentally transported with imported goods or by travelers [12], for example, the lesser budmoth, Recurvaria nanella (Denis and Schiffermüller) with living plants [12,56] and the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, which arrived in infested solid wood-packing material [55,57]. In the aforementioned examples, insects experienced easier dispersion because they traveled with their native food.…”