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Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Section Symposium

Inspiring Ecological Rigor in the Study of Forest Insects: Celebrating the Career of Joseph Elkinton

Classical biological control of the emerald ash borer: Understanding impacts of introduced natural enemies on pest population dynamics and ash recovery

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

3:25 PM – 3:50 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 203

Presenting Author(s)

JD

Jian J. Duan (he/him/his)

Adjunct Professor
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

Co-Author(s)

JG

Juli R. Gould

Entomologist
USDA-APHIS
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
TP

Toby R. Petrice

Research Entomologist
USDA-Forest Service
Lansing, Michigan

Co-author(s)

NQ

Nicole F. Quinn (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Fort Pierce, Florida

Co-Author(s)

Therese M. Poland

Research Entomologist
USDA-Forest Service
East Lansing, Michigan

Co-author(s)

LB

Leah S. Bauer

USDA-Forest Service
East Lansing, Michigan
RV

Roy Van Driesche

University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an exotic wood-boring beetle native to Asia, was first discovered in 2002 in Michigan and has since spread to 35 U.S. states, causing widespread mortality of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). Soon after the discovery of EAB, research began on the development of a classical biocontrol program for this invasive beetle. By 2007, regulatory approvals were granted for releases of three hymenopteran parasitoids from China as EAB biocontrol agents: Tetrastichus planipennisi (Eulophidae), Spathius agrili (Braconidae), and Oobius agrili (Encyrtidae). A fourth EAB parasitoid, Spathius galinae (Braconidae), from the Russian Far East was approved and first released in 2015. To date, these four biocontrol agents have been released in over 350 counties in 30 EAB-infested U.S. states. Here, we present population dynamics data on EAB and its natural enemies, including introduced biocontrol agents, as well as ash recovery and regeneration from decade-long field studies in Northern U.S. Our data show that successful establishment, spread, and impact of three of the EAB biocontrol agents in Michign and several Northeastern states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York) at long-term parasitoid study sites have resulted in low EAB densities, leading to reduced ash mortality, and may allow surviving ash trees to gradually recover, regenerate, and grow into the forest canopy. This talk showcases Dr. Joe Elkinton’s contribution to our understanding of the population dynamics of EAB and its natural enemies and efforts towards successful EAB biocontrol in Northern U.S.