Tuesday, 16 November 2004 - 3:24 PM
0109

"Beneficial invasives": Chalcidoid parasitoids of the emerald ash borer

Michael W. Gates, mgates@sel.barc.usda.gov, SEL, USDA-ARS-PSI, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, Michael E. Schauff, mschauff@sel.barc.usda.gov, SEL, ARS, USDA, BARC-West, Bldg. 005, Room 133, 10300 Baltimore Blvd, Beltsville, MD, Gary A. P. Gibson, gibsong@agr.gc.ca, Agriculture Canada, Biodiversity Theme, K. W. Neatby Bldg, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Leah Bauer, lsbauer@msu.edu, USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station, 1407 S. Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI, and Houping Liu, liuho@msu.edu, Michigan State University, Department of Entomology, East Lansing, MI.

The Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), was first recorded from the United States in May 2002, attacking and killing at least 3 of the 4 native species of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in southeastern Michigan in the north central part of the country. Since the specimens of the borer did not match any known from North America, an official identification was not made on July 08, 2002. Extensive mortality of ash trees (currently ~7 million) attributed to EAB has been reported in the Detroit area of Michigan and it appears to be damaging trees growing in both urban and forested sites. Since that time, several areas in both the U.S. and Canada have been placed under quarantine and extensive efforts are under way to control the pest. Late in 2003, infestations were recorded on the East cost of the U.S. as a result of nursery stock that was moved from the Michigan quarantine in error. Researchers at the U.S. Forest Service and Michigan State University have reared two parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of EAB from a study plot in Livonia, Michigan, USA. We received representative specimens of these parasitoids for identification and determined them to be Balcha sp. (Eupelmidae) and Pediobius sp. (Eulophidae). Both species are believed to be undescribed. The Pediobius species is a parasitoid of ash borer eggs while the Balcha attacks Agrilus larvae. Foreign exploration is continuing to try to find additional parasitoids.



Species 1: Coleoptera Buprestidae Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer)
Species 2: Hymenoptera Eupelmidae Balcha sp
Species 3: Hymenoptera Eulophidae Pediobius sp
Keywords: biological control, Chalcidoidea

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