A novel oviposition trap for studying the egg-laying behavior of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Authors: Duan, Jian

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2024
Publication Date: 5/3/2024
Citation: Duan, J.J. 2024. A novel oviposition trap for studying the egg-laying behavior of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 97:1-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-024-01770-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-024-01770-5

Interpretive Summary: The emerald ash borer (EAB) is one of the most destructive invasive forest pests in North America, where it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees since its first detection in 2002. Native to Asia, the beetle lays eggs between bark crevices or under loose barks of ash trees. Because of this cryptic egg-laying behavior, it has been extremely difficult to detect EAB eggs in the field. In the present study, USDA ARS scientist tested the potential use of strips of burlap fabric or polypropylene curling ribbon to attract EAB adults and induce them to lay eggs on the trunks or branches of ash covered with these materials in the field. Findings indicated that both burlap fabric and polypropylene ribbon traps are effective in attracting EAB adults to lay eggs onto the covered surface of ash trunks or branches when the surface area of each trap adjusted to the same (one) square meter. However, the tested burlap trap (0.03 m x 1 m) tested in this study was more than twice as effective as the tested polypropylene ribbon trap (0.005 m x 2 m) in detection of EAB eggs. These oviposition traps may be potentially used for effective detection and control of EAB and other jewel beetles.

Technical Abstract: The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is one of the most destructive invasive forest pests in North America, where it has killed hundreds of millions of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees since its first detection in 2002. Native to Asia, female EAB adults lay their eggs between bark crevices or under loose barks of their host trees. Because of this cryptic egg-laying behavior, field detection of EAB eggs has been extremely difficult, resulting in knowledge gaps of EAB egg-laying behavior. In the present study, I tested the potential use of strips of burlap fabric or polypropylene curling ribbon to attract EAB adults and induce them to lay eggs on the trunks or branches of ash covered with these materials in the field. Findings indicated that both burlap fabric and polypropylene ribbon traps are effective in attracting EAB adults to lay eggs onto the covered surface of ash trunks or branches when the surface area of each trap adjusted to the same (one) square meter. However, the burlap trap (0.03 m x 1 m) tested in this study was more than twice as effective as the tested polypropylene ribbon trap (0.005 m x 2 m) in detection of EAB eggs (4.9±1.1 eggs per burlap trap vs 1.9±0.5 eggs per ribbon trap). Potential applications of the burlap oviposition traps for effective detection and control of EAB and other jewel beetles are discussed.