Invasive bark- and wood-infesting insects worldwide: establishment patterns, international trade, and efforts to slow the flow

The world’s forests are threatened by exotic forest insects and diseases. Wood packaging material (WPM; e.g., pallets and crating) used in international trade is one of the principal pathways by which bark- and wood-infesting insects (borers) are spread among countries. Other important pathways include trade in live plants (e.g., nursery stock and bonsai), wood novelty items, logs, lumber, and fuelwood. The most destructive exotic borers to have spread in recent decades belong to the following families or subfamilies: Buprestidae (Agrilus planipennis), Cerambycidae (Anoplophora chinensis, Anoplophora glabripennis), Scolytinae (Dendroctonus valens, Xyleborus glabratus), Platypodinae (Megaplatypus mutatus), and Siricidae (Sirex noctilio). For each case study, information will be presented on the major pathways for arrival, general biology, tree species at risk, current pest status, regulatory actions taken to slow spread, and eradication efforts. International efforts to reduce the incidence of live pests in WPM, such as ISPM No. 15, will be discussed, as well as initial efforts to regulate international trade in live plants, logs, lumber, fuelwood, and wood chips.