Introduced plants induce outbreaks of a native pest and facilitate invasion in the plants' native range: Evidence from the emerald ash borer

Authors: DANG, YING-QIAO - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; WEI, KE - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; WANG, XIAOYI - Chinese Academy Of Agriculture & Mechanical Sciences; Duan, Jian; JENNINGS, DAVID - University Of Vermont; POLAND, THERESE - Forest Service (FS)

Submitted to: Journal of Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/24/2021
Publication Date: 12/17/2021
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/7699275
Citation: Dang, Y., Wei, K., Wang, X., Duan, J.J., Jennings, D., Poland, T.M. 2021. Introduced plants induce outbreaks of a native pest and facilitate invasion in the plants' native range: Evidence from the emerald ash borer. Journal of Ecology. 2021: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13822.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13822

Interpretive Summary: The emerald ash borer (EAB), native to Northeast Asia, is the most destructive invasive ash tree pest in North America. Understanding the pest status and ecology of this beetle in its native home (China) helps us to develop effective management strategies to control this pest in North America. We collected and analyzed field data on the beetle’s distribution and historical changes in its abundance from 1900 to 2019 in China. Our findings revealed that EAB infestations in China became more frequent in the 1990s due to the introduction and widespread planting of exotic (North American) ash trees there. Increased EAB infestations in China in the 1990s thus enhanced the invasion risk to other regions including North America, as trade activities with China increased during this period.

Technical Abstract: Biological invasions are among the most serious threats to native forest ecosystems worldwide due to ever-increasing global trade and climate change. Understanding invasion processes and the ecology of invasive pests in both newly invaded and native habitats is necessary to effectively mitigate and manage the risks they pose. Toward that end, we collected and analyzed historical data on the geographic distribution and spatiotemporal dynamics of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis in its native habitats in China. We examined the effect of host tree species planted from 1900 to 2019 on the distribution, occurrence, and frequency of EAB outbreaks in China. Exotic North American and European ash species planted primarily in northeastern, northwestern and central China were more susceptible to EAB compared with native ash. EAB infestation level was positively correlated with latitudinal distribution of non-Asian ash trees, but not with their habitat, altitude, or diameter at breast height. The frequency and level of EAB infestations gradually increased following introduction and widespread plantings of non-Asian ash trees in the 1900s, and the first recorded outbreak of EAB in China occurred after a time lag of at least 30-50 years. Increased EAB populations in China in the 1990s likely enhanced its invasion risk to other regions including North America, as trade activities with China increased and susceptible host plants were abundant during this period. Our findings are relevant to developing effective management strategies against EAB in both native and invaded regions and have implications for invasive species management.