Canadian Forest Service Publications
Host selection by Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): inferences from sticky-band trapping. 2009. Lyons, D.B.; de Groot, P.; Jones, G.C.; Scharbach, R. Canadian Entomologist 141: 40 - 52.
Year: 2009
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 29362
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Abstract
Sticky-band trapping experiments were undertaken in 2003-2006 to examine the host seeking behavoiur of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, in woodlots in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The female proportion of A. plannipennis emerging from host logs ranged from 0.414 to 0.582. Landings on sticky-band traps varied more with the female proportion, ranging from 0.392 to 0.889, with the majority in the upper range, suggesting behavioural differences between sexes. correlations between landing density and tree size measured as diameter at breast height were positive or showed no relationship. In some locations more beetles were captured on the south side of the tree than on the north side; however, there was no difference between these cardinal directions at other locations. Nubmers of captured beetles were never significantly greater on the north side of boles. We observed greater landing densities of adults of both sexes on traps on trees along the edges of woodlots than on trees within the woodlots. When given a choice under natural condition, beetles landed almost exclusively on host trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. (Oleaceae)) rather than on other common trees speicies (Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch (Juglandaceae), Tilia americana L. (Tiliaceae), and species of Acer L. (Aceraceae)) found in the same woodlots. Our data suggest that A. planipennis make host-selection decisions while in flight rather than landing randomly. Implications for monitoring A. plannipennis using sticky-band traps and understanding its host-seeking behaviour are discussed.