Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit
Project Number: 8010-30400-001-002-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 15, 2025
End Date: Sep 15, 2027
Objective:
The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis, a highly destructive forest pest, was first detected and subsequently eradicated in New York City and Chicago in the 1990s. Since then, this beetle has established small populations in New Jersey (2002), Massachusetts (2008), Ohio (2011), and more recently South Carolina (2020). While the inception populations in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio have been under successful quarantine control through intensive eradication programs, the incipient ALB population in South Carolina is still being actively managed with quarantine and eradication approaches. The primary challenges with quarantine and eradication of ALB stem from the cryptic nature of its immature stages as well as its tendency to readily adapt to urban landscapes, managed and unmanaged forests, and the interconnecting transition zones between the two ecosystems. While early detection, quarantine, and eradication efforts are still the primary strategy against ALB, the costs and environmental concerns from the removal or chemical treatment of large numbers of host trees in or near the newly infested area call for development of sustainable approaches such as biological control that can help eradicate this invasive pest.
Recent studies showed that some native North American and European parasitoids may have the potential to develop new associations with invasive ALB populations and could be used for augmentative releases against ALB in newly invaded regions. For example, the native North America braconid wasp, Onstira mellipes, has been successfully reared on ALB larvae in USDA ARS BIIRU quarantine facility for over 175 generations and was recently released against ALB in a swampy area of the quarantine zone (Charleston County) in South Carolina to assist in ALB eradication efforts. However, follow-up field work is needed to assess the establishment and efficacy in controlling ALB. The objectives of the agreement are to: (1) conduct further releases of O. mellipes in the quarantine zone (Charleston and/or Dorchester Counties) in South Carolina and (2) survey of O. mellipes and other potential native (resident) parasitoids associated with immature stages of ALB in the parasitoid release area as well as nearby quarantined areas in South Carolina.
Approach:
Each year from the late fall (October) to early spring (March), host trees (Acer spp.) with symptoms of ALB infestation will be located and felled from various sites in the quarantine zone. GPS coordinates for all felled trees will be recorded. Felled trees will be cut to 1-meter long logs and transported to the open-door field insectary of Clemson University at the Stono Research Facility where they will be placed into rearing containers made of sonotubes (each ~1.2 m long x 0.3 m diam) and incubated at the ambient (natural) temperature, RH, and photoperiod through spring and summer for emergence of adult ALB and parasitoids. Emerging beetles and associated parasitoids will be monitored two to three times a week. Living ALB adults will be counted, collected, and killed in 70% or molecular grade alcohol. Any parasitoids emerging from the ALB-infested logs will also be counted, collected, and vouchered for identification. These data will be eventually associated with previous O. mellipes releases and then analyzed for parasitoid establishment and diversity. Specific procedures are described in the attached work plan.