EAB Biological Control and Parasitoid Recovery in Minnesota

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

EAB Biological Control and Parasitoid Recovery in Minnesota EAB Biological Control and Parasitoid Recovery in Minnesota Christopher Mallet, Monika Chandler, Jonathan Osthus, and Angie Ambourn, Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Brian Aukema and Rob Venette, University of Minnesota St. Paul. 10/14/2018 Outline Biocontrol Status Recovery Methods • Yellow Pan Trapping • Bark Sampling • Branch Sampling Recoveries in MN Research from MI Status Update • Biological control of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) was initiated in Minnesota in 2010. Year Spathius galinae Tetrastichus planipennisi Oobius agrili Spathius agrili Total per year 2010 0 2154 0 1172 3326 2011 0 19480 3641 7596 30717 2012 0 19822 10241 15258 45321 2013 0 42579 8597 0 51176 2014 0 34434 12062 0 46496 2015 0 151022 31490 0 182512 2016 1613 45130 42300 0 89043 2017 2151 43245 23100 0 68496 2018 4636 27310 12600 0 44546 Total 8,400 385,176 144,031 24,026 561,633 The parasitoids were produced and supplied by the USDA EAB Parasitoid Rearing Facility in Brighton, MI. Current Parasitoids • Oobius agrili • Egg parasitoid • Tetrastichus planipennisi • Larval endoparasitoid • Spathius galinae • Larval ectoparasitoid Biocontrol Release Locations in Minnesota Optional Tagline Goes Here | mn.gov/websiteurl Recovery Methods Yellow Pan Traps Yellow Pan Traps • Yellow plastic bowls are affixed to stems of living ash trees. • Bowls are filled with a 20 % solution of clear propylene glycol. Insects are attracted to the yellow color and become trapped in the solution. • Samples are collected weekly June through September by pouring the contents through a paint filter. • Samples are frozen and screened under a scope. Yellow Pan Traps • First recovery of tetrastichus in the metro area at Fort Snelling State Park. 870 samples collected in 2016. 5 tetrastichus from 3 traps. • Detections of a native parasitoid Atanycolus simplex Cresson David Cappaert,Bugwood.org • 107 yellow pan traps placed at 4 locations in 2018. Sample contents under scope About 1500 samples were collected and are being screened. Bark Sampling Bark Sampling • Collect outer bark of the ash trees to collect EAB eggs and search for eggs parasitized by oobius agrili. • Measure 10 x 50cm area on trunk. Shear off with draw knife. • Bark is collected in a paper bag and allowed to dry completely (about 2 weeks) • Dried material is sieved using USDA Standard Testing Sieve No. 14 with 1.40mm openings for 2 mins. • Sifted debris, about 5 to 15 grams, is placed in a thin layer on a ceramic dish and viewed under a dissecting scope Bark Sampling • Healthy EAB eggs • Eggs filled with frass after larva emerges • Not all eggs remain intact Sifted bark debris with egg under dissecting scope Bark Sampling – Parasitized Eggs Oobius exit hole EAB eggs tend to turn dark Parasitoid meconium (larval Oobius present in egg after parasitism. waste) present in egg Bark Sampling • First recovery of oobius agrili in 2014/2015 winter at Great River Bluffs State Park. • 121 samples collected in the 2017/2018 winter among 11 sites resulting in 4 new established locations. Number of EAB Eggs Number of Parasitized Site Latitude Longitude Recovered Eggs 44.909166 -93.193194 23 1 Hidden Falls 44.986989 -93.114122 69 1 Wheelock Parkway 44.914340 -93.135757 93 1 Shepard Road 44.039037 -91.653745 22 3 Lake Winona J. Osthus, MDA Branch Sampling Branch Sampling • Whole trees are felled or branch samples are taken from the mid to upper canopy. • Bark is removed with a draw knife and EAB larvae and galleries are inspected for signs of parasitism. • Late instar EAB larvae are collected dissected to determine if parasitoids are present Branch Sampling • Clutches of tetrastichus planipennisi overwintering pupae or adults that failed to emerge can be found in EAB galleries. • First recovery of parasitoids (t. planipennisi) at Great River Bluffs State Park in fall of 2013 • Currently conducting branch sampling in areas of known establishment to try and determine impact on EAB Recoveries • 58 recoveries of released parasitoid species • 16 oobius • 42 tetrastichus • Multiple detections of native parasitoid Atanycolus spp. where yellow pan traps are deployed. Recoveries in the Twin Cities • Tetrastichus, Oobius, Atanycolus (native parasiotoid) recovered at Fort Snelling State Park through yellow pan trapping, bark sampling and branch sampling. • Oobius recovered at Hidden Falls Park, Shepard Road, and Wheelock Parkway through bark sampling in the winter of 2017/2018. Recoveries • Tetrastichus and Oobius recovered at Great River Bluffs State Park through branch sampling and bark sampling since 2013. • Oobius recovered from Lake Winona by bark sampling in 2017. • Tetrastichus recovered 4 miles away from Great River Bluffs release site by DNR ground-truthing dead ash trees after an aerial survey in 2016. Intensive Sampling • At locations with known Number of Trees Number of T. Site Latitude Longitude Number of Trees with T. planipennisi establishment of Oobius agrili Sampled planipennisi clutches 44.888060 -93.185214 and Tetrastichus planipennisi Fort Snelling 17 3 8 43.939280 -91.409170 • Branch sampling, bark Great River Bluffs 10 2 6 sampling, and yellow pan traps • Began in 2017/18 winter, Number of Bark Number of EAB Number of Percent of eggs continuing through 2019/20 Site Samples Eggs Parasitized Eggs Parasitized winter. Fort Snelling 27 111 5 4.50 28 297 7 2.36 • Hope to measure impact on Great River Bluffs EAB Research from MI Progress and challenges of protecting North American ash trees from the emerald ash borer using biological control. Duan, Jian; Bauer, Leah; van Driesche, Roy; Gould, Juli. 2018. • The suppression of EAB densities is likely to spread geographically as populations of O. agrili and T. planipennisi increase and spread to new areas, protecting the regenerating ash saplings and young trees • Over many decades, it is reasonable to assume that a diverse complex of mortality factors and lower ash density will reduce both the frequency and intensity of EAB outbreaks, permitting the growth, survival, reproduction, and conservation of Fraxinus species Thank you! http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontro l We acknowledge the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and USDA APHIS for supplying the funding and resources for this project. Chris Mallet [email protected] 651-201-6249.
Recommended publications
  • Arthropod Containment in Plant Research
    Arthropod Containment in Plant Research Jian J Duan & Jay Bancroft USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Research Unit Newark, Delaware What we do at USDA ARS BIIRU - • To develop biological control programs against invasive (non-native) agriculture and forest pests – Research involves both the plant-feeding insects and their natural enemies (predators & parasitoids) Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Larval Parasitoids of EAB (EAB) The Goal of Insect Containment at USDA ARS BIIRU-Quarantine Facility • Prevent “accidental introduction” of “unwanted” non-native insects from damaging our agriculture and forestry Outlines • Why do we need to contain insects in plant research? • How can we most effectively contain insects in plant research? • Quarantine containment facility and standard operation procedures Why Do We Need To Contain Insects in Plant Research • Non-native insects can become serious invasive pests in a newly introduced region because disassociation with co- evolved natural enemies • Non-native insects used in plant research should be contained prior to regulatory approval for environmental releases Non-native, plant-feeding insects can become devastating pests in agriculture and forestry Detected in Michigan in 2002 • 31 States in the U.S. • Killed millions of ash trees Emerald Ash Borer Native Range of EAB & Origin of EAB-Parasitoids Origin of EAB Biocontrol Agents (Year releases began in US) 1. Oobius agrili 2. Tetrastichus planipennisi 3. Spathius agrili 4. Spathius galinae Russia China 1 4 2 3 Prevent “accidental introduction” of weed biocontrol
    [Show full text]
  • FIELD RELEASE of SPATHIUS AGRILI YANG (BRACONIDAE): MONITORING NON-TARGET WOOD BORERS John S
    FIELD RELEASE OF SPATHIUS AGRILI YANG (BRACONIDAE): MONITORING NON-TARGET WOOD BORERS John S. Strazanac1, Juli R. Gould2, Robert A. Haack3, and Ivich Fraser4 1Plant and Soil Sciences/Entomology West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505 2USDA APHIS, PPQ, Otis Pest Survey, Detection, and Exclusion Laboratory Otis ANGB, MA 02542 3U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station 1407 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 4USDA APHIS, PPQ, Emerald Ash Borer Project 5936 Ford Ct., Ste. 200, Brighton, MI 48116 ABSTRACT Before the identification of emerald ash borer (EAB) to the trunks of EAB-infested trees in the immediate area (Agrilis planipennis [Coleoptera: Buprestidae]) in of the planned S. agrili release sites. In late winter 2008, Michigan in 2002, Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: the ash logs will be placed in individual rearing tubes and Braconidae) was discovered attacking this buprestid in monitored for Spathius emergence. its native range in China. Subsequent laboratory host Host trees (d.b.h. ~ 15 cm) for the non-target Agrilus specificity testing with North American wood borers species were moved to the release sites during early and olfactometer testing of various tree volatiles, summer 2007: pin oak (Quercus palustris) for the including those from ash, suggest that S. agrili will not twolined chestnut borer and European paper birch (Betula have a significant impact on native North American pendula) for the bronze birch borer. In the laboratory, bolts wood borer fauna. of host trees infested with these species were placed in To determine the ability of S. agrili to establish in rearing tubes and adults were collected upon emergence.
    [Show full text]
  • Title: Classical Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle
    Title: Classical Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle Fuester, Roger - USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Newark, DE Yang, Zhong-Qi - CHINESE ACAD. FORESTRY Bauer, Leah - USDA FOREST SERVICE Gould, Juli - USDA APHIS Liu, Houping - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Smith, Michael - USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Newark, DE Herard, Franck - USDA ARS MONTPELLIER Williams, David - USDA APHIS Schaefer, Paul - USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Newark, DE Strazanac, John - WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY Submitted to: North American Forest Insect Work Conference Proceedings Publication Type: Abstract Publication Acceptance Date: November 20, 2005 Publication Date: N/A Technical Abstract: The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, and Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), are both invasive plant pests recently introduced to North America from the Far East. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an oligophagous buprestid on Fraxinus spp., whereas the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is a polyphagous, cerambycid attacking various hardwoods, though it prefers maples, poplars and willows. Classical biological control is indicated for the following reasons: both species arrived in North America without their habitual natural enemies and appear to be minor pests in the Far East, at least in natural settings, where they are known to be attacked by natural enemies. Parasitism of EAB by native parasitoids in MI is too low (<1%) to suppress EAB populations. Limited ALB samples from NY and IL indicate that parasitism by native parasitoids is likewise low. Therefore, studies on natural enemies of both species have been conducted in the Far East. Explorations for natural enemies of EAB have been conducted on a limited basis in Japan, Russia and Mongolia, but more extensively in South Korea, and China.
    [Show full text]
  • Field Release of the Parasitoid Spathius Galinae for the for the Biological Control of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis) in the Contiguous United States
    United States Department of Agriculture Marketing and Field Release of the Regulatory Programs Parasitoid Spathius Animal and Plant Health Inspection galinae for the Biological Service Control of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in the Contiguous United States Environmental Assessment, March 2015 Field Release of the Parasitoid Spathius galinae for the for the Biological Control of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in the Contiguous United States Environmental Assessment, March 2015 Agency Contact: Robert Tichenor Pest Permitting Plant Protection and Quarantine Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. Department of Agriculture 4700 River Road, Unit 133 Riverdale, MD 20737–1236 Non-Discrimination Policy The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To File an Employment Complaint If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. To File a Program Complaint If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.
    [Show full text]
  • (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Parasitoid of the Emerald Ash Borer
    Biological Control 52 (2010) 24–29 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Biological Control journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ybcon Host-seeking behavior and parasitism by Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the emerald ash borer Xiao-Yi Wang a, Zhong-Qi Yang a,*, Juli R. Gould b, Hui Wu c, Jian-Hai Ma d a The Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China b Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Otis ANGB, MA 02542 5008, USA c Forestry Bureau of Sanming City in Fujian Province, Sanming, Fujian 365000, China d Forest Pest Control Station of Qinghai Province, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China article info abstract Article history: Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a newly described and important idiobiont ectoparasi- Received 6 November 2008 toid of the emerald ash borer (EAB) that has excellent potential as a biological control agent against EAB Accepted 15 September 2009 populations in the USA. In order to understand the ecological factors involved in the search and discovery Available online 23 September 2009 of concealed hosts by S. agrili, we investigated the behavioral responses of adult female wasps to potential semiochemicals from host plants, hosts, and host frass as well as to vibration signals from host feeding Keywords: and movement. Using a bioassay, we showed that S. agrili first finds the host’s habitats by detecting Spathius agrili the volatile compounds emitted by ash. In the second phase of host location and acceptance, the parasit- Agrilus planipennis oids detect the mechanical vibrations produced by host feeding and movement under the surface of the Host location Concealed insect pest bark and then probe to find the EAB larvae.
    [Show full text]
  • Progress in the Classical Biological Control of Agrilus Planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in North America Leah S
    300 Progress in the classical biological control of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in North America Leah S. Bauer,1 Jian J. Duan, Juli R. Gould, Roy Van Driesche Abstract—First detected in North America in 2002, the emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an invasive phloem-feeding beetle from Asia, has killed tens of millions of ash (Fraxinus Linnaeus; Oleaceae) trees. Although few parasitoids attack EAB in North America, three parasitoid species were found attacking EAB in China: the egg parasitoid Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and two larval parasitoids Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). In 2007, classical biological control of EAB began in the United States of America after release of these three species was approved. In 2013, release of the larval parasitoids was approved in Canada. Research continues at study sites in Michigan, United States of America where the establishment, prevalence, and spread of O. agrili and T. planipennisi have been monitored since 2008. However, establishment of S. agrili remains unconfirmed in northern areas, and its release is now restricted to regions below the 40th parallel. In 2015, approval for release of Spathius galinae Belokobylskij (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an EAB larval parasitoid from the Russian Far East, may be granted in the United States of America. Researchers are guardedly optimistic that a complex of introduced and native natural enemies will regulate EAB densities below a tolerance threshold for survival of ash species or genotypes in forested ecosystems. Introduction quarantines, and initiating eradication activities (Federal Register 2003; Poland and McCullough The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis 2006; Herms and McCullough 2014).
    [Show full text]
  • Biology and Behavior of Spathius Agrili, a Parasitoid of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus Planipennis, in China
    Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 10 | 30 Yang et al. Biology and behavior of Spathius agrili, a parasitoid of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, in China Zhong-Qi Yang1a, Xiao-Yi Wang1, Juli R. Gould2, Richard C. Reardon3, Yi-Nan Zhang1, Gui- Jun Liu4, and En-Shan Liu4 1The Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration of China, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China 2Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1398 West Truck Road, Buzzards Bay, MA 02542, USA 3Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, USDA Forest Service, 180 Canfield St., Morgantown, WV 26505, USA 4Guangang Forest Park, Dagang District, Tianjin 300270, China Abstract Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a gregarious larval ectoparasitoid of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and is a recently described species. Both pest and parasitoid are native to China. In Tianjin City, China, S. agrili typically exhibited 3-4 generations per year, overwintering as a prepupa in a cocoon inside the host gallery. The multiple generations of S. agrili overlapped with its host, as did the emergence dates of the overwintering generation. From a single host, 1-18 S. agrili successfully developed to the adult stage (average 8.4), but in all cases the host was killed. The sex ratio (female: male) of the parasitoid adults emerging from field-collected cocoons was 2:1, whereas the sex ratio of parasitoids reared from field collected eggs and larvae was greater than 3:1. On average, adult females lived 29.1 d, and males lived 23.6 d when fed with 20% honey solution, significantly longer than without a nutritional supplement.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Assesment of the Potential Role of Biocontrol in The
    BUYING TIME: PRELIMINARY ASSESMENT OF THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF BIOCONTROL IN THE RECOVERY OF NATIVE FOREST VEGETATION FOLLOWING THE INVASION OF EMERALD ASH BORER by Elan Margulies A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Natural Resources and Environment) at the University of Michigan August 2017 Faculty Advisors Professor Inés Ibáñez Professor Leah Bauer Abstract: Introduced forest pests have become one of the major threats to forest ecosystems in North America. Once the spread phase is underway, biological control is one of the few environmentally acceptable and sustainable practices available for the management of destructive invasive pests in natural ecosystems. Assessing the impact of a biocontrol program progresses from evaluating the establishment of biocontrol agents, to control of the target pest, to impacts on the affected organism, and ultimately, to the indirect impacts that biocontrol may have on the whole community. In our study, we assessed the recovery of forest vegetation following the mortality of overstory ash trees caused by the emerald ash borer (EAB) invasion and ongoing management of EAB using biological control. We collected data on the forest structure and composition of stands affected by this pest and where biocontrol agents were released or not (biocontrol and no-biocontrol plots). We then used a multilevel modeling framework to evaluate the potential indirect effects of a biocontrol agent on native tree seedling forest regeneration. We found that the impacts of biocontrol on ash saplings had community- level effects by protecting native seedlings from invasive and weedy saplings. Our results showed a higher number of ash saplings with increasing numbers of the dominant EAB biocontrol agent T.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Control 56 (2011) 170–174
    Biological Control 56 (2011) 170–174 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Biological Control journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ybcon Development of methods for the field evaluation of Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in North America, a newly introduced egg parasitoid of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ⇑ Jian J. Duan a, , Leah S. Bauer b, Michael D. Ulyshen c, Juli R. Gould d, Roy Van Driesche e a USDA ARS, Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Newark, DE 19713, USA b USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA c Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA d USDA APHIS PPQ, Otis, MA 02542, USA e Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA article info abstract Article history: A field study was conducted in forested plots near Lansing, Michigan in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the Received 1 June 2010 newly introduced egg parasitoid Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) for control Accepted 10 November 2010 of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). To mea- Available online 17 November 2010 sure parasitism by O. agrili, laboratory-reared ‘‘sentinel EAB eggs’’ were deployed under bark flaps on trunks of selected ash trees in both parasitoid-release and non-release control plots. In addition, naturally Keywords: occurring EAB eggs were collected in both parasitoid-release and control plots to measure parasitism. Classical biological control While no parasitism was detected with either sentinel or naturally occurring EAB eggs in control plots Invasive in either 2008 or 2009, a low level of parasitism by O.
    [Show full text]
  • And the Phylogenetic Utility of Mitochondrial Genomes with Special Reference to Holometabolous Insects Shu-Jun Wei Zhejiang University, China
    University of Kentucky UKnowledge Entomology Faculty Publications Entomology 6-11-2010 Comparative mitogenomics of Braconidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) and the phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial genomes with special reference to Holometabolous insects Shu-jun Wei Zhejiang University, China Min Shi Zhejiang University, China Michael J. Sharkey University of Kentucky, [email protected] Cornelis van Achterberg Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Netherlands Xue-xin Chen Zhejiang University, China Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits oy u. Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/entomology_facpub Part of the Entomology Commons Repository Citation Wei, Shu-jun; Shi, Min; Sharkey, Michael J.; van Achterberg, Cornelis; and Chen, Xue-xin, "Comparative mitogenomics of Braconidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) and the phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial genomes with special reference to Holometabolous insects" (2010). Entomology Faculty Publications. 39. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/entomology_facpub/39 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Entomology at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Entomology Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Comparative mitogenomics of Braconidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) and the phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial genomes with special reference to Holometabolous insects Notes/Citation Information Published in BMC Genomics, v. 11, 371. © 2010 Wei et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
    [Show full text]
  • Factors Influencing Impact of Biological Control Agents of the Emerald Ash Borer
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses Dissertations and Theses March 2017 FACTORS INFLUENCING IMPACT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF THE EMERALD ASH BORER Theresa Murphy University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2 Part of the Biology Commons, Entomology Commons, and the Forest Biology Commons Recommended Citation Murphy, Theresa, "FACTORS INFLUENCING IMPACT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF THE EMERALD ASH BORER" (2017). Masters Theses. 479. https://doi.org/10.7275/9478795 https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/479 This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FACTORS INFLUENCING IMPACT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF THE EMERALD ASH BORER A Thesis Presented by THERESA C. MURPHY Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER of SCIENCE February 2017 Organismic and Evolutionary Biology FACTORS INFLUENCING IMPACT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF THE EMERALD ASH BORER A Thesis Presented By THERESA C. MURPHY Approved as to style and content by: _________________________________________________ Joseph S. Elkinton, Chair _________________________________________________ Roy G. Van Driesche, Member _________________________________________________ Juli R. Gould, Member _________________________________________________ Jeffrey Podos, Member _____________________________________________ Elizabeth R. Dumont, Director, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Organismic and Evolutionary Biology DEDICATION To my parents and grandparents for their constant and unwavering support. And to my fellow scientists, “Life is not easy for any of us.
    [Show full text]
  • Questions and Answers: Biological Control for Emerald Ash Borer
    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Questions and Answers: Biological Control for Emerald Ash Borer For several years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SPATHIUS GALINAE SPATHIUS AGRILI Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has used the emerald ash borer’s (EAB) natural enemies— tiny stingless wasps known as parasitoids—as biological control agents to help manage infestations. The goal of APHIS’ EAB program is to help maintain ash trees as part of the North American landscape and biological OOBIUS AGRILI TETRASTICHUS PLANIPENNISI control significantly contributes to this goal. • Spathius agrili has a long egg-laying organ or What is biological control? ovipositor that helps it attack EAB larvae in many Biological control, or biocontrol, uses natural enemies different sized ash trees. This wasp penetrates such as parasitoids, predators, pathogens, or through tree bark and lays up to 20 eggs on an EAB antagonists to reduce plant pests or diseases. Biological larva. The hatching wasp larvae feed and develop on control can be a practical and an environmentally sound the EAB larva, resulting in its death. method for pest control. The biological control agents used against EAB include four tiny stingless wasp • Spathius galinae also attacks EAB larvae like Spathius species—the largest is about the size of a typical agrili does, but what makes this wasp different is that it mosquito. can tolerate colder climates, which makes it an optimal biological control agent for releasing in the northern states. • Tetrastichus planipennisi also attacks EAB larvae, but the female lays eggs inside EAB larvae where the wasp larvae grow and eventually kill their host.
    [Show full text]