Canadian Forest Service Publications
Inhibition of larval growth and adult fecundity in Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) exposed to azadirachtins under quarantine laboratory conditions. 2018. Thompson, D.G.; Tonon, A.; Beltran, E.; Hernandez, F. Pest Management Science: http://10.1002/ps.4810.
Year: 2018
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39068
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1002/ps.4810
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Asian long-horned beetle [ALB; Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)] is an invasive, wood-boring insect posing significant economic and ecological threats to the deciduous forests of North America. An efficacious and environmentally acceptable chemical control technique is a requirement of a comprehensive, integrated response strategy. RESULTS: Results of this study demonstrate statistically significant, concentration-dependent effects of azadirachtins, a family of natural compounds derived from the neem tree, on both ALB larval and adult life stages. Growth inhibitory effects on ALB larvae were greatest on early life stages. Significant effects on adults included inhibition of female feeding, oviposition effort and fecundity for adults exposed to azadirachtins via maturation feeding on systemically loaded twigs. CONCLUSION: These quarantine laboratory experiments verify multi-mechanistic, deleterious effects on both larval and adult life stages of ALB, an exotic, invasive insect pest of critical importance in North America. Field efficacy studies are required to further understand dose acquisition by larval and adult ALB life stages following systemic injections to host trees under semi-operational use scenarios. Such studies could also be used to test postulates regarding optimal deployment strategies to meet objectives such as slowing the spread of this pest and protection of high-value deciduous forest resources.
Plain Language Summary
Azadirachtins are natural triterpenoid compounds derived from seed extracts of the Neem tree. They are also the active ingredients of TreeAzin™, a systemic insecticide product recently registered in Canada and the USA, for use in integrated management programs targeting the exotic invasive insect pest - Emerald Ash Borer. This paper demonstrates that the same azadirachtin-based formulation also has potential for use against another exotic invasive wood-borer, the Asian Long-horned Beetle (ALB). ALB poses both a significant economic and ecological threat to the deciduous forests of North America. Owing to established populations in several northeastern states and at least one prior infestation in Ontario Canada, the risk to forests in Canada from this pest is very high. Results of this study document significant, concentration-dependent effects of azadirachtins on both larval and adult life stages of ALB and support the continued development of TreeAzin™ as a component of a broader integrated response strategy which could potentially be used against ALB in Canada.
