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10-Minute Presentation

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

10-min: P-IE, Biological Control 2

Overwintering phenology of two introduced Spathius species across the invasion range of emerald ash borer

Sunday, November 10, 2024
3:42 PM – 3:54 PM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 222 C, PCC
Oral Presentation
The emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmare) is the most destructive invasive forest insect in the United States. A classical biological control program against EAB began in 2005, however the species utilized for biological control efforts have shown differing levels of success in terms of establishment and control. Spathius galinae Belokobylskij & Strazanac has successfully established and contributed to a reduction of EAB net reproductive rate in sites in the northern United States. However, Spathius agrili Yang has only been confirmed to a single establishment in Maryland, despite being released for longer. We sought to investigate the differential establishment success of these two species by comparing their overwinter and early season emergence patterns across a latitudinal gradient. We established sites in three states along the east coast (Delaware, Georgia, and Massachusetts) and at each site affixed 10-12 ventilated plastic jars containing ash bolts to trees with developing larvae of each Spathius species in December, 2023. At each site we monitored the emergence patterns of both species throughout the spring and into the summer of 2024. Spathius galinae began emergences in the spring as predicted, however at two sites (Delaware, Georgia) we noted some early season emergences of S. agrili that took place around 100 GD10 or less. The continued monitoring of the emergences of these parasitoids this summer will test hypotheses regarding the differential establishment success of these two species and provide insights to their suitability as biological control agents across the eastern United States.