Current Distribution and Diagnostic Features of Two Potentially Invasive Asian Buprestid Species: Agrilus mali Matsumura and A. fleischeri Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

Mark G Volkovitsh,Marina J Orlova-Bienkowskaja,Alexey V Kovalev

doi:10.3390/insects11080493

Abstract

Simple SummaryKnowledge of the diagnostic features and native ranges of invasive pests is vital for their correct identification and monitoring. In this regard, the diagnostic characters and geographical ranges of two potentially invasive Asian buprestid species: the quarantine apple tree pest, Agrilus mali Matsumura, and the poplar pest A. fleischeri Obenberger are studied and analyzed. Based on the examination of museum collections and literature sources, the diagnostic characters to distinguish both species from their congeners are discussed, the comprehensive databases of records of the exact collecting sites are compiled, and detailed maps of their ranges are generated. Occurrence of A. mali in Japan is not confirmed. Outbreak sites of A. mali in Xinjiang most likely represent the newly forming invasion areas; their proximity to the wild apple stands in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan is a direct threat to Kazakhstan and adjacent countries. Sites damaged by A. fleischeri in Liaoning are situated within its native range; the outbreaks were likely triggered by the switch from indigenous to introduced poplars. The results of the study will facilitate the correct identification and monitoring of the pests in case of their findings in new areas.Our goal is to analyze the known geographical ranges and diagnostic features of two potentially invasive Asian buprestid species: the quarantine apple tree pest, Agrilus mali Matsumura, and the poplar pest A. fleischeri Obenberger. Based on the examination of museum collections and literature sources, we compiled comprehensive databases of records of the exact collecting sites for both species and generated detailed maps of their ranges. There are 51 documented localities for A. mali in the Russian Far East and East Siberia, Mongolia, China, and the Korean peninsula, and there are 53 documented localities for A. fleischeri in the Far East and Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and Japan. No evidence of the presence of A. mali in Japan was found. Outbreak sites of A. mali in Xinjiang in the 2000s most likely represent the newly forming invasion areas; their proximity to the wild apple stands in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan is a direct threat to Kazakhstan and adjacent countries. Sites damaged by A. fleischeri in Liaoning are situated within its native range; the outbreaks were likely triggered by the switch from indigenous to introduced poplars. This situation is similar to the early stages of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) invasion.

Highlights

Knowledge of the native range of invasive pests is vital for their monitoring, understanding their biology, modeling potential invasive distribution, and searching for natural enemies for biological control programs [1,2,3]
[12,13,23,24], we examined the available material and literature data on the closely related subgenus Sinuatiagrilus Alexeev, 1998, from the Russian Far East, China, species from the subgenus Sinuatiagrilus Alexeev, 1998, from the Russian and Japan
In which massive outbreaks in the wild apple, Malus sieversii, were observed [12,13,20,22], are situated rather far from its main range and can be regarded as a newly forming invasion area which indicates the expansion of its range

Summary

Introduction

Knowledge of the native range of invasive pests is vital for their monitoring, understanding their biology, modeling potential invasive distribution, and searching for natural enemies for biological control programs [1,2,3]. Followed by the devastating and costly invasion of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888, into North America [4,5,6] and European Russia [7,8,9], there was an increased interest in other representatives of extremely speciose (more than 3000 species) genus. Agrilus anxius Gory, 1841, is a quarantine pest included on the A1 quarantine list of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO, Paris, France) [11]. Among representatives of the genus Agrilus, two Asian species with high outbreak and range expansion potential attract particular attention: the quarantine pest of apple and some other fruit trees, an apple buprestid Agrilus mali Matsumura, 1924, and the poplar pest A. fleischeri Obenberger, 1925 [12,13,14]. Agrilus fleischeri is on the A2 list of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests [17]

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