Sulfuryl Fluoride as a Quarantine Treatment for Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Ash Logs

Abstract

Fraxinus spp. logs infested with Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) were fumigated with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) in 432-liter chambers at 15.6 and 21.1 degrees C for 24 and 48 h. Concentration x time (CxT) exposures (g-h/m3) of SF obtained were 3,382 (24-h exposure) and 5,466 (48-h exposure) at 15.6 degrees C and 3,329 (24 h) and 4,385 (48-h exposure) at 21.1 degrees C after doses of 144, 128, 128, and 104 g/m3, respectively. After aeration, logs were placed in modified fiber drums for 8 wk to capture emerging beetles. No adults emerged from any of the fumigated logs, whereas 933 adults emerged from control logs. Eggs were fumigated at CxT exposures similar to log fumigations (3,240 and 4,262 g-h/m3, respectively) and again at doses 16 g/m3 lower, at 21.1 degrees C for 24 and 48 h. No hatch was observed at CxT dosages > 4,262 g-h/m3. No larvae continued development on artificial diet after hatching from eggs fumigated at all tested dosages, whereas 10 control larvae developed to instar I or II. Chamber fumigations with 31 and 46% load factors provided additional sorption and concentration data. A. planipennis-infested logs in tarped, 149.1-m3 cargo containers were fumigated at dosages used in successful trials. Logs were monitored for 8 wk for adult emergence. There was no adult emergence, but 621 adults emerged from a similar quantity of control logs. CxT dosages of SF for 100% control of A. planipennis at 15.6 and 21.1 degrees C for 24- and 48-h exposure can be obtained under commercial fumigation conditions. A quarantine treatment schedule for SF is proposed.