Abstract
AbstractWild appleMalus sieversii(Ledeb.) M. Roem. (Rosales: Rosaceae), the ancestor of cultivated apples, is widely distributed in Central Asia and is recognized as an important germplasm bank. Recently, the invasive pestAgrilus maliMatsumura (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), originally distributed in eastern Asia, has damaged endemic apple forests in the Yili River valley, Xinjiang, China, and has spread rapidly, infesting more than 80% of wild apple trees in this region.We investigated the life‐history traits and native natural enemies in the recently invaded range during 2016 and 2017.Agrilus malihas a univoltine life cycle and overwinters as young larvae in galleries in the cambium. Adults emerged from early June to mid‐August and their density peaked in mid‐July.Several native natural enemies were identified fromAgrilus malilarvae, includingAtanycolus denigrator(L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), the mitePyemotes moseriYu et Liang (Acari: Pyemotidae) and fungal entomopathogens.Combined, these natural enemies were responsible for mortality rates ranging from 20% to 80% during the summer and autumn. The most abundant and important natural enemy wasA. denigrator, which was responsible for up to 15% mortality ofA. mali.The results of the present study suggest that augmentation and conservation ofA. denigratorandP. moserishould be considered with respect to biological control against this devastating pest.
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