The European oak borer, Agrilus sulcicollis, and other exotic Agrilus in the United States

At least 10 exotic species of Agrilus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are established in the United States. One of these species, A. hyperici, was intentionally introduced in western North America as a biological control agent of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), a European perennial herb that is considered a noxious weed. The other nine exotic agrilids infest various woody plants, including trees, shrubs, and vines. The two exotic agrilids most recently reported include A. subrobustus, which was first collected in Georgia in 2006, and the European oak borer (A. sulcicollis), which was first confirmed in Ontario in 2008 and Michigan and New York in 2009. Luckily, little tree mortality has been attributed to these two agrilids to date. Few life history details are available for both A. subrobustus and A. sulcicollis in the United States. In Asia, A. subrobustus infests Albizia. Current information on the life history of A. sulcicollis will be provided from Europe and North America, as well as information on this beetle’s native range, North American collections records, U.S. interception records, and impact.