The Biology and Ecology of the Emerald Ash Borer,Agrilus planipennis, in China

Abstract

The biology, ecology, and life cycle of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), were studied using regular inspection in the forest and observations in the laboratory. Results indicated that A. planipennis are mostly univoltine in Tianjin, China. They overwintered individually as mature larvae in shallow chambers excavated in the outer sapwood. In late July, some full-grown larvae began to build overwintering chambers, and all larvae entered the sapwood for dormancy by early November. A. planipennis pupated in the overwintering chamber from early April to mid May the following year, and the average pupal duration was about 20 days. In late April, some newly eclosed adults could be found in the pupal cells, but they had not yet emerged from the tree. Adults began to emerge in early May, with peak flight occurring in mid May. The average longevity of adults was about 21 days and the adult stage lasted through early July. The adults fed on ash foliage as a source of nutrition. Mating was usually conducted and completed on the leaf or trunk surfaces of ash trees. Oviposition began in mid May and eggs hatched on average in 15.7 days. The first instar larvae appeared in early June. The larval stage lasted about 300 days to complete an entire generation. The emerald ash borer had four larval instars on velvet ash, Fraxinus velutina (Scrophulariales: Oleaceae). The major natural control factors of A. planipennis were also investigated, and preliminary suggestions for its integrated management are proposed.

Could phenotypic plasticity limit an invasive species? Incomplete reversibility of mid-winter deacclimation in emerald ash borer

“…The emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is a wood-boring beetle native to Asia which has limited impact in its region of origin, but is a recent and destructive invasive species in North America (USDA-APHIS 2009, Wang et al 2010, Wei et al 2007. Agrilus planipennis larvae feed in the cambial layer of ash (Fraxinus spp.)…”

“…Most A. planipennis overwinter as prepupae within the outer wood or inner bark of their host trees (Wei et al 2007), possibly in a dormant state (Wang et al 2010). The prepupae are freeze avoiding: their body fluids supercool to temperatures as low as -35.3°C, and most individuals are only killed when freezing occurs (at the supercooling point, SCP; Crosthwaite et al 2011).…”

A Geosimulation Approach for Data Scarce Environments: Modeling Dynamics of Forest Insect Infestation across Different Landscapes

“…Examples include incorporating additional factors which may influence EAB propagation including sunlight and aspect [56], analysis of the fine differences in temperature at the edge trees versus the inner regions of the forest, and terrain factors through the use of a DEM which may also influence feedbacks and non-linearity in the system, although these factors may be more suitable for finer scales. The robustness of these factors can then be tested using sensitivity analysis to determine the significance of their inclusion and the level of influence on the propagation of EAB infestation.…”

Scientific Opinion on a technical file submitted by the US Authorities to support a request to list a new option among the EU import requirements for wood of Agrilus planipennis host plants

“…Initially they are ivory white or jade green in colour and become fulvous to brown in 3 -4 days. Eggs deposited in Tianjin during mid to late May hatched in 17 -19 days at 18 -23 °C, while eggs laid in late June hatched after 12 -13 days at 24 -26 °C (Wang et al, 2010). …”