Biological and molecular characterization of Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emerging pest of stone fruits in Europe

Abstract

The red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB) Aromia bungii (Fald.) is an emerging pest of stone fruit trees, native to East Asia, accidentally introduced in Europe (Germany and Italy) and Japan. Threatening seriously the stone fruit crops in Europe, RLB was added to both the EPPO A1 and priority pest lists of quarantine species. Molecular analyses highlighted that all specimens recovered in southern Italy share the same haplotype, different from the German one, supporting that the invasive process in Europe started from at least two independent introductions. To fill the existing gap of biological knowledge about A. bungii, several laboratory tests were carried out on specimens collected in the outbreak area of Naples (Italy). Results suggest a high biotic potential of the RLB Italian population. Females showed a short pre-oviposition period while the period of oviposition lasted about three weeks, with a rate of 24.2 eggs/day. Each female laid an average of 587.5 eggs and spawned the largest amount of eggs during the first week after emergence. Fed males live up to 62 days at 20 °C while fed females about 63 days at 25 °C. These results are crucial to draw up a multi-facet IPM approach against A. bungii in the outbreak areas.

Identification of the Red-Necked Longhorn Beetle Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with Real-Time PCR on Frass

“…The availability of such diagnostic tools for RLB may facilitate field and lab investigations related to phytosanitary emergencies caused by this priority quarantine pest whose biotic potential threatens European farmers [14]. Furthermore, the developed tool could lead to better-targeted insecticide treatments.…”

“…In native areas, RLB has several overlapping generations per year [13]. Some of its biological traits were recently highlighted in a study on the Italian population [14]. According to these observations, RLB has impressive fertility and longevity.…”

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the identification of the invasive wood borer Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from frass

“…The larvae bore galleries in the trunk and main branches, causing structural weakness, dieback, and finally tree death. Biological parameters of A. bungii evaluated in the Italian population showed remarkable fertility and longevity (Russo et al 2020 ).…”

Genetic Diversity of a Rising Invasive Pest in the Native Range: Population Genetic Structure of Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in South Korea

“…One of the recently recognized and emerging IAS is Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), also known as the red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB). RLB is an important pest species in agricultural landscapes, damaging various stone fruit trees (the genus Prunus), including peach, apricot, plum, and cherry [5]. In recent years, RLB arose as a serious pest in South Korea, and is a threat to the famous cherry blossom trees (Prunus yedoensis Matsum., 1901) in the urban landscape, weakening and killing them [6,7].…”

“…The genus Prunus is the main host but RLB can also utilize various plant species belonging to the families Fagaceae, Juglandaceae, Meliaceae, Poaceae, Punicaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, and Theaceae as host plants, according to an unverified report [8]. Their early stage larvae bore under the bark of living or weakened trees, feeding on phloem and cambium, leaving slight impressions on the sapwood [5]. The mature larvae bore heartwood and eventually weaken and kill the host trees [6].…”