Comparison of Buprestidae collected by Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) with those collected by purple prism traps

Abstract

Abstract Detection of low‐level infestations of pest Buprestidae such as emerald ash borer is crucial for their effective management, but the efficiency of trapping techniques varies. In the present study, we compare two nondestructive methods for monitoring metallic wood‐boring beetles. Buprestidae captured by the wasp Cerceris fumipennis Say (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) were compared with those captured by USDA‐APHIS‐PPQ standard issue purple prism traps (PPTs) at three sites in North Carolina, U.S.A. At each site, four PPTs were hung on trees at the edge of a known C. fumipennis nest aggregation, and changed at 5.5–7.0‐week intervals. Buprestids were collected from hunting wasps once a week during their 5–6‐week activity period. A total of 28 buprestids (seven species) were caught by traps, whereas 267 buprestids (35 species) were collected from C. fumipennis. Of buprestids captured by PPTs, 22 were caught during the pre‐flight period of C. fumipennis, six during their flight period and none during the post‐flight period. One species of Agrilus Curtis was captured by PPTs, while six Agrilus species were captured by wasps. Of the 38 identified buprestid species taken at these sites, only four were recovered at a given location by both methods. Although a standardized comparison of the two techniques is not feasible, C. fumipennis captured a greater number and diversity of Buprestidae than did PPTs. A combination of both techniques may provide the most complete temporal coverage of buprestid activity in a given area, provided that a nesting aggregation of C. fumipennis is available.