Flatheaded Apple Tree Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Nursery-Grown Red Maples: Phenology of Emergence, Treatment Timing, and Response to Stressed Trees

Abstract

Emergence of adult flatheaded apple tree borers, Chrysobothris femorata (Olivier), from red maple (Acer rubrum L.) trees and cut bolts was monitored in central Kentucky from 1984–1986. A forecasting system based on accumulated degree-days (DD) was developed for predicting optimum treatment dates. Date of first emergence ranged from May 8 to June 6, corresponding to a mean accumulation of 412 Centigrade DD (742 F DD) calculated from a base temperature of 10°C (50°F). A single application of lindane or chlorpyrifos applied soon after adult borers began to emerge protected young red maple trees from infestation. Adult C. femorata were trapped in nurseries from May until August. Twenty-five species of adult Buprestidae representing 5 genera were attracted to experimentally stressed red maples. Although results were variable, stressed trees were generally more attractive and/or susceptible to borers.