ARS | Publication request: Parasitoid guilds of Agrilus woodborers (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): their diversity and potential for use in biological control

Submitted to: Psyche
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 2, 2011
Publication Date: January 19, 2012
Repository URL: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/psyche/2012/813929/
Citation: Taylor, P.B., Duan, J.J., Fuester, R., Hoodle, M.S., Driesche, R. 2012. Parasitoid guilds of Agrilus woodborers (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): their diversity and potential for use in biological control. Psyche. Article ID 813929.

Interpretive Summary: Flat-headed (metallic) wood boring beetles from the family Buprestidae, are pests of trees and shrubs worldwide. One of the pest genera in this family is Agrilus and includes an important invasive pest in North America, known as the emerald ash borer (EAB). To better understand the potential for biological control of this insect and those in the same genus, we review the literature available on parasitic wasps that attack the many species of Agrilus worldwide. Ten species of parasitic wasps were reported attacking eggs of Agrilus beetles, and 38 species were found attacking various stages of Agrilus larvae. The most successful parasitic wasp attacking eggs came from the family Encyrtidae (9 species) and produced parasitism rates higher than 50%. The most common family attacking the larval stage was Braconidae (24 species), which parasitism rates also ranged >50%. There were no records of parasitoids attacking adult stage beetles in this genus. The potential for success in biological control of EAB in the U.S. and Canada, using native parasitoid wasps and old-association Asian parasitoids is discussed.

Technical Abstract: Literature studies in North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe and Asia (particular Russia, China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula) were reviewed to identify parasitoid guilds associated with Agrilus woodborers. There are at least 12 species of hymenopteran parasitoids attacking eggs of Agrilus beetles and 56 species attacking Agrilus larvae infesting various host plants (trees) in North America, Asia and Europe. While most of the egg parasitoids (9 species) belong to the family Encyrtidae, a majority of the larval parasitoids are members of five families: Braconidae (24 species/11 genera), Eulophidae (8 species/4 genera), Ichneumonidae (10 species/ 9 genera), and Eupelmidae (6 species/5 genera). The highest rate of Agrilus egg parasitism (>50%) was recorded with four species of encyrtid wasps reported in North America, Asia, and Europe. In contrast, the highest rate of Agrilus larval parasitism (>50%) caused by species in two genera of braconid wasps: Atanycolus (in North America) and Spathius (in Asia), and one of Eulophidae, Tetrastichus (in Asia and Europe). Although ichneumonid wasps were frequently reported attacking Agrilus wood borers, primarily in North America, the reported rate of Agrilus larval parasitism by this group of parasitoids has been generally low (<1%). Potential for success in biological control of emerald ash borer (A. planipennis) in the US with North American native parasitoids and old-associations Asian parasitoids is discussed.