Long-Lasting Insecticide Netting for Protecting Tree Stems from Attack by Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

Christopher M Ranger,Michael E Reding,Jason B Oliver,Karla M Addesso,Peter B Schultz,Christopher T Werle

doi:10.3390/insects11010008

Abstract

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are destructive wood-boring insects of horticultural trees. We evaluated long-lasting insecticide netting for protecting stems against ambrosia beetles. Container-grown eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, trees were flood-stressed to induce ambrosia beetle attacks, and deltamethrin-treated netting was wrapped from the base of the stem vertically to the branch junction. Trees were deployed under field conditions in Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi with the following treatments: (1) flooded tree; (2) flooded tree with untreated netting; (3) flooded tree with treated ‘standard mesh’ netting of 24 holes/cm2; (4) flooded tree with treated ‘fine mesh’ netting of 28 holes/cm2; and/or (5) non-flooded tree. Treated netting reduced attacks compared to untreated netting and/or unprotected trees in Mississippi in 2017, Ohio and Tennessee in 2018, and Virginia in 2017–2018. Inconsistent effects occurred in Mississippi in 2018. Fewer Anisandrus maiche, Xylosandrus germanus, and Xyleborinus saxesenii were dissected from trees deployed in Ohio protected with treated netting compared to untreated netting; trees deployed in other locations were not dissected. These results indicate long-lasting insecticide netting can provide some protection of trees from ambrosia beetle attacks.

Highlights

Bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most destructive wood-boring insects of trees growing in a variety of habitats [1,2]
Our current study provides an initial basis that insecticide-treated netting could be a useful component of an integrated pest management strategy for managing ambrosia beetle pests of horticultural trees
Albeit inconsistent, that deltamethrin-treated netting provided a chemical barrier to ambrosia beetles

Summary

Introduction

Bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most destructive wood-boring insects of trees growing in a variety of habitats [1,2]. Adult female Xyleborini tunnel into the sapwood and heartwood of trees to create galleries for cultivating their nutritional fungal symbiont and rearing offspring. The fungal symbiont is introduced into the host tissues during tunnel excavation, and a variety of secondary microorganisms can be passively introduced [7,8,9]. Discolored sapwood and heartwood tissue often surround the galleries, which may be attributed to the symbiotic fungi, secondary pathogens, host hypersensitive responses, and/or infusion of oxygen into the tissues [5,7,10]. Blockage of the upward movement of water within the stem is likely responsible for branch dieback and tree death following ambrosia beetle attacks [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion