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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Newark, Delaware » Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390497
Research Project: Biology, Ecology, Genetics, and Genomics of Introduced Species for Biological Control of Invasive and Other Insect Pests

Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit

Title: Tree selection and use by the polyphagous xylophage Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Canada

Author
item TURGEON, JEAN - Canadian Forest Service
item SMITH, MICHAEL - Retired ARS Employee
item PEDLAR, JOHN - Canadian Forest Service
item FOURNIER, RONALD - Canadian Forest Service
item ORR, MARY - Canadian Food Inspection Agency
item GASMAN, BEN - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Forest Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/23/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Two breeding populations of the non-native invasive Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), a pest of broadleaf trees in its native China, were discovered in Ontario, Canada in 2003 and 2013. Both populations were eradicated by removing all trees injured by the beetle and all uninjured trees deemed at high risk of injury. Data collected during this removal was examined to study host selection, including tree species and size and height of beetle attack. Of the 45 tree genera surveyed, signs of ALB injury were observed only on species of maple, willow, poplar, birch, elm, ash and basswood. Complete beetle development was confirmed on only in maple, willow, birch and poplar. Most signs of injury were found on larger maples. These findings may be useful for improving future surveys for detection of ALB infestations.

Technical Abstract: Two breeding populations of the non-native Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky), a pest of broadleaf trees in its native China, were discovered in Ontario in 2003 and 2013, respectively. Both populations were eradicated by removing all trees injured by the beetle and all uninjured trees deemed at high risk of injury. We used data collected during this removal to study host selection. Signs of A. glabripennis injury were observed on 732 stems from seven (i.e., Acer, Salix, Populus, Betula, Ulmus, Fraxinus and Tilia) of the 45 tree genera available. Complete beetle development was confirmed on only the first four of these seven genera. Most signs of injury were on the genus Acer and on trees with a diameter at 130 cm above ground ranging between 15 cm and 40 cm. On most trees, the lowest sign of injury was within three meters of the ground or within 40% of tree height. Tree height explained 63% of the variance in the location of the lowest sign of injury. Initial attacks were typically near the middle of the tree and expanded both upward and downward with successive attacks over time. We discuss how these findings could improve survey efforts for A. glabripennis.