Cerambycid communities and their associated hymenopteran parasitoids from major hardwood trees in Delaware, USA: implications for biocontrol of invasive longhorned beetles

Authors: GOLEC, JULIAN - University Of Delaware; Aparicio, Ellen; Wang, Xingeng; Duan, Jian; Fuester, Roger; Tatman, Daria; Kula, Robert

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2019
Publication Date: 1/8/2020
Citation: Golec, J.R., Aparicio, E.M., Wang, X., Duan, J.J., Fuester, R.W., Tatman, D.M., Kula, R.R. 2020. Cerambycid communities and their associated hymenopteran parasitoids from major hardwood trees in Delaware, USA: implications for biocontrol of invasive longhorned beetles. Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz169.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz169

Interpretive Summary: The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is a high-risk invasive insect pest attacking various hardwood trees. Native to China and Korea, ALB has been detected since the late 1990s in North America and targeted for eradication. The beetles can be difficult to detect, especially in large forested areas, and new introductions are possible. Biological control is a valuable option for reducing established and incipient populations in areas where intensive management methods such as chemical control or removal of infested trees are prohibitively expensive and/or environmentally undesirable. Although introduction of specialist natural enemies from ALB's native range may be desirable for the sustainable control of this pest, it is the best practice that before any natural enemy is imported, pre-release surveys are completed to identify potential resident natural enemies that may be capable of adapting to the exotic pest. In this study, we surveyed woodboring beetles and associated parasitic wasp (parasitoid) communities infesting the major hardwood trees including maples, hickory and pines from a forested area in northern Delaware from 2005 to 2012. During the 7-year period, over 14,500 cerambycid beetles of 56 species were collected and over 19,000 parasitic wasps of 12 families emerged from cerambycid-infested wood. This study provides essential information on native North American parasitoids associated with cerambycid beetles. Several major parasitoids identified will be investigated for potential adaption to invasive cerambycid pests such as ALB.

Technical Abstract: Cerambycidae provide important ecological services in forests yet cause economic damage when they infest living trees. Parasitoids can regulate woodborer populations, providing considerable control of pest cerambycids. Identifying parasitoids of native cerambycids may be useful in managing cerambycid outbreaks and aid in new-association biocontrol of exotic invasive cerambycids. We investigated Cerambycidae and associated hymenopteran parasitoid communities infesting Acer rubrum, Pinus virginiana, and Carya tomentosa from a forest in Delaware from 2005 to 2012. Cerambycid abundance, diversity, and richness, as well as parasitoid abundance, were measured via three treatments: felling, girdling, and collecting naturally infested trees. Effect of edge or interior red maple on cerambycid abundance, diversity, and richness was examined. Over 14,500 cerambycids of 56 species and 38 genera were collected during the 7-year period. Eleven species represented 95% of all cerambycids collected. Treatment only affected red maple, showing increased cerambycid richness and diversity from naturally infested trees. Cerambycid richness and diversity was 2 times greater on hickory than other species when combining girdled and felled treatments.Over19,000 parasitic Hymenoptera of 12 families emerged from cerambycid-infested wood with> 70% of individuals belonging to Braconidae. Thirteen known species, and two unknown species, of Braconidae were identified from a subsample of 495 specimens; Ontsira mellipes (Ashmead) and Rhoptrocentrus piceus Marshall were the most abundant. This study provides fundamental information on native parasitoids associated with Cerambycidae, including cerambycid larval host associations. Parasitoids identified herein should be investigated for potential adaption to invasive Cerambycidae to benefit invasive woodborer management.