Green Industry Continuing Education Series
November 18, 2015
12 noon - 2 p.m.
Instructors:
Darren Blackford, Entomologist, USDA-Forest Service
Gene Phillips, Forest Health Specialist, Nevada Division of Forestry
1. Invasive Insect Species-Refresher
What You Need to Know
Darren Blackford Gene Phillips
Entomologist Forest Health Specialist
USDA-Forest Service Nevada Division of Forestry
2. What Are Invasive Species?
An organism that is not native to the
local environment and is capable of
harming the economy, environment,
or human health
The term invasive is reserved for the
most aggressive and destructive non-
native species
Early detection and action is
important!
4. Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)
A Threat to Nevada’s Ash Trees
5. Emerald ash borer
Profile
Scientific name: Agrilus planipennis
Common name: Emerald ash borer (EAB)
Native to: Eastern Russia, Northern China, Japan, and Korea
Date of U.S. introduction: 2002 (McCullough and Usborne 2011)
Means of introduction: Arrived accidentally in cargo imported from Asia (McCullough and Usborne
2011)
Impact: Trees lose 30 to 50% of canopy after 2 years infestation and die within 3–4 years
6.
7. Emerald Ash Borer
in North America
First detected in 2002 in Michigan and Ontario
Arrived via infested wood packing material
Currently found in more than 20 mid-western and
eastern states, killing tens of millions of ash
trees
In September 2013, EAB was found in Boulder,
Colorado
Evidence suggests that EAB is generally
established in an area for several years before it is
detected
8.
9.
10.
11. How Does Emerald Ash Borer Spread?
Normal flight is between one-half to two
miles per year
Firewood has been a major means of
transporting EAB
12.
13. Identification of Emerald Ash Borer
Adults
Bright, metallic, green-colored beetle with a
bronze head and a flattened body
Abdominal segments underneath wing covers
are purple iridescent
Approximately 1/2 inch long and 1/8 inch wide
Males and females are similar in appearance
Very detailed guide: www.emeraldashborer.info under “About EAB”
14. Agrilus spp. have a very distinctive shape that
separates them from most of the other genera of
Buprestidae
15. All Agrilus spp. exhibit some degree of natural
variation in size and coloration
16.
17. Emerald Ash Borer eggs are small (1/16”)and nearly
impossible to locate on bark or in bark crevices
18. Identification of Emerald Ash Borer
Larvae
Larvae are cream-colored and tapeworm-like
Have 10 abdominal segments, a flattened
abdomen, and a pair of pincer-like appendages
on the last segment
Reach ~ 1 inch in length when fully grown
19. Identification of Emerald Ash Borer
Pupae
Pupae are initially creamy white, but their body
begins to darken as they develop
20. All ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) are susceptible, and
both healthy and unhealthy trees can be attacked
Mountain ash (Sorbus) is not a true ash
species
EAB infestations have spread to the white
fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
The larvae are the damaging life-stage (the
adults not so much)
The larvae feeds and tunnels through the
vascular system of the tree (cambium layer),
cutting off the water and nutrient supply to the
tree
Small trees die within 1-2 years of becoming
infested; large trees are killed in 3-4 years
See USU’s Factsheet on Emerald Ash Borer for information on ash identification
21. EAB-Life Cycle
• 1-2 year (health)
• Adults-3 weeks
• 30-60 eggs (200)
7-10 days
32. What is Being Done?
Monitoring
Visual surveys
Girdled trees (EAB is attracted to stressed trees)
Purple panel traps (GLV, manuka oil)
Branch sampling using draw-knives
35. What is Being Done?
Prevention and Management
Regulation of infested areas – restrict movement
of ash, including firewood, lumber, and logs
Removing ash from planting lists; Improve tree
conditions
Girdled trees – removing population sinks
Biological Control
Parasitic wasps
Pathogenic fungi
Woodpeckers
Beetles
36. What is Being Done?
Chemical Control
(http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/multistate_eab_insecticide_fact_sheet.pdf)
40. COMPARING GYPSY MOTH
•European Gypsy Moth (EGM) was intentionally introduced in the
U.S. in 1869 and is now established in northeastern U.S. and
southeastern Canada.
•AGM like EGM prefers forest habitats and both cause
defoliation and deterioration of trees and shrubs.
•Host Range: AGM greater range of hosts
•AGM adult females are active fliers where EGM adult females
are flightless. Greater ability to disperse.
Asian Gypsy Moth on left and European Gypsy Moth on
right. Photo USDA-APHIS-PPQ, www.ipmimages.org
41. • AGM: 500 species of trees and shrubs, including many conifers and hardwoods,
although Quercus is a preferred host. Other common hosts include Alnus, Betula,
Corylus, Diospyros, Larix, Malus, Populus, Salix and Tilia
• EGM: ~ 250 species of trees but prefer Oaks
• EGM defoliate ~ 700K acres/year, millions of dollars in damage. 75 mil acres since
‘70
• In the US, over 311 million acres of susceptible forests exist for the North American
strain of gypsy moth, susceptible forest acreage is far greater for AGM
• Heavy or repeated defoliation causes tree mortality and increases susceptibility to
other insect and disease agents
• In recreation sites and urban areas dead trees are a safety hazard and affect
property values in urban sites
AGM/EGM
Impact
42. • During outbreaks, frass droppings cover large areas affecting outdoor
activities such as camping, barbecues, swimming and picnics. Reduced
attendance in recreational areas and/or resorts may occur during
outbreaks periods
• Reforestation may be with non-native invasive species and can create a
loss of biodiversity
• Wildlife impacts due to loss of overstory or increased understory growth
can be positive or negative depending on the species.
• Defoliation can increase water yield and lower water quality.
• Costs associated with eradication/suppression programs. In 2016 costs
associated with the AGM eradication program in the Pacific NW are
estimated to approach 5 million. EGM slow the spread/suppression about
AGM/EGM
Impact
45. VARIATION IN LARVAL COLORATION
• Evidence for adaptation to shorter egg chilling times
suggesting that gypsy moth should be able to adapt to
climates with warmer and shorter winters
• Flight capability of females also varies widely from less than 0.5 mi up to 12-
25 mi
• Outbreak periodicity varies between locations:
Siberia 6-10 years, Russian Far East – 6-8 years and China 6-10 years
compared to the European strain of gypsy moth where outbreak intervals vary
from 6 to 36 years
AGM Characteristics
46. Four Stages: Egg → Larva (caterpillar) → Pupae (cocoon) → and Moth
AGM/EGM
• Univoltine
• Egg masses are the overwintering stage and may be
found on trees, stones, walls, logs and other outdoor
objects, 1.5 in. long and 0.75 in. wide. Egg mass
contains 100-1500 eggs. The mass is covered with a
buff or yellowish color which comes from the
abdomen hair of the female.
Eggs hatch in the spring. Larvae range
from 2-3 mm to 2.5 in. long when mature.
Larvae feed for 6-8 weeks.
Photo credits: Ferenc Lakatos,
University of West-Hungary
John H. Gent, USDA Forest
Service,
AGM/EGM Life Cycle
47. Larvae stop feeding when they enter the pupal
or cocoon stage. This begins in late June or
July.
Adults emerge in 10 to 14 days. Adults do not
feed, only mate and lay eggs (1-3 weeks). Egg
oviposition occurs between July and
September. The eggs remain dormant during
the winter and hatch in the following spring.
AGM/EGM Life Cycle
Larvae/Adults
48. Asian Gypsy Moth Egg Oviposition
Preferred Sites Varies by Country
49. AGM/EGM
Management
EGM
Eradication,/Suppression/BioControl/Silviculture/ Biological
pesticides (Bt), trapping, mating disruption, gypsy moth
nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV)
AGM
Monitoring native ports and U.S. Ports
Certified “pest-free”
Trapping surveys at port areas
Bacillus thuringiensis-disrupts digenstive system
Dimilin-inhibits growth/development
Mating disruption-pheromones emitted by females to attract males.
Released at high levels around infested areas, overwhelming
pheromone signal emitted by the female AGM, making it difficult for
male moths to locate the females and mate.
52. WTB/TCD
An Insect-Plant Pathogen Interaction
Hosts (West):
Black walnut (Juglans nigra),
Arizona walnut (J. major),
California Walnut (J. californica),
53. WTB/TCD
WTB Distribution
In green are states and the California county
of Los Angeles with records of the species
prior to 1960 States in orange have reported
the insect since 1988. The recent (2010-
2011) records from states east of the
Mississippi are presently known only from
limited areas: Tennessee/Knox County and
surrounding areas; Virginia/Richmond; and
Pennsylvania/Bucks County.
54. WTB/TCD
Distribution
• The Walnut twig beetle was first detected
in Eastern US in 2010 and has now been
found in Tennessee, Virginia,
Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, and
Maryland.
• It is widespread across Western US. While
not yet in New York, WTB has been
confirmed in adjacent states and poses a
threat to walnuts in NY, the Northeast and
New England.
55. WTB/TCD
Impact
WTB vectors TCD. The disease was observed in the
1990s but not recognized until 2008, it has killed many
walnut trees planted outside their native range across
the western US. It is now a serious threat to walnuts in
their native eastern range.
Black walnut has high economic value for wood
production, throughout the native range the net volume
of black walnut growing stock on timber land was
valued at over $500 billion.
Nut production
58. WTB/TCD
Life Cycle
2-3 generations/year
Overwinterng as adult or larvae
Adults active late March-April
Egg galleries created against grain
Larvae feed 4-6 weeks perpendicular to egg gallery
Pupation occurs
Adults emerge to produce 2nd generation early summer
(mid-July/late-August)
Attack same or nearby tree, doesn’t have to be
stressed
68. WTB/TCD
Management
No effective control for TCD yet.
Insecticide injection trials for WTB
Bole sprays limited because of extended period of
when beetles are active and coverage limited on trees
Sanitation practices for TCD and WTB
Chipping infested trees
Pheromone trapping
73. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Range
ALB is a native of China, Korea and Taiwan
ALB entered the USA at shipping ports in
wooden pallets and crates infested with ALB.
First discovered in 1996 in Brooklyn, NY and in
1998 in Chicago, IL.
74. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Damage
ALB larvae tunnel through tree
stems and branches.
Repeated damage can lead to
dieback of the tree crown and
eventual death of the tree.
75. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Impact
Kill trees of more than 15 plant families
Negatively affects
forest product industries ($178 million)
maple syrup production ($67 million)
tourism and recreation ($143 billion)
urban, rural, and natural ecosystems ($948 million)
Host tree sales ($56 million)
1997-2008: ALB eradication program ~$373
million
76. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Hosts
Maple
Horsechestnut
Willow
Elm
Birch
Poplar
Mimosa
Hackberry
Ash
London plane
Mountain ash
79. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Identification-Adults
Adults:
Large (0.75”-1.5”). Females typically larger but
great variation.
Antennae white/black banding, 11-segmented.
Female antennae shorter than male.
Pronotum 2 large spines
Elytra shiny black with white or yellowish tan spots
(no bumps)
Tarsi faint iridescent blue
Females Males
80. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Identification-Adults
Often confused with native whitespotted pine
sawyer (Monochamus scutellatus)
Distinct white dot between elytra
Mottled grey coloration
Attacks pines
82. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Identification-Eggs
A: bolt with bark removed showing eggs. Eggs
are inserted beneath the bark
B: An oviposition pit on A. saccharum. These
pits can be found on branches and sometimes
the main bole of infested trees. Fresh oviposition
pits are red or light brown and may ooze sap.
C: Older oviposition pits on Acer rubrum. After a
few months, oviposition pits darken.
85. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Identification-Larvae
A: An older larva. Notice the shape of the plate
on the pronotum.
B: Galleries created by larvae in Acer rubrum.
Older instars are able to tunnel into the
heartwood.
86. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Identification-Pupae
A: Pupa in pupal chamber. Frass has been
packed into the entrance tunnel with a partially
prechewed exit tunnel from the chamber.
B: Various ages of pupae. Older pupae on the
left have more sclerotized body parts compared
with younger pupae on the right.
87. Asian Longhorned Beetle
Biology
One generation/year (12-18 months)
Eggs laid (35-90) summer/early fall (59-
86 deg. F)(most vulnerable). Hatch in
~15 days
Larvae: Early feed between xylem and
phloem, late fee on xylem). Five instars
Pupae: Pupal eclosion can take 12-50
days
Adults: Take ~ 2 weeks to emerge.
(June/July). Feed on leaf petioles and
debark small branches 2-3 days then
mate.
15d
96. Banded Elm Bark Beetle
Impact
• Kills weakened or stressed trees
(drought)
• Vectors dutch elm disease
(Ophiostoma novo-ulmi)(Jocobi et
al., 2013).
• 2003: City of Fort Collins-Removed
27 elm trees;24 were confirmed to
have DED;3 appeared to have died
exclusively by attack by BEBB
97. Banded Elm Bark Beetle
Native distribution/Hosts
• Native Distribution: N. China, C. Asia, Korea, and
Russia
• Hosts: various elms, Russian olive, willows, woody
plants in the pea family, and possibly fruit-
producing trees in the rose family
98. Banded Elm Bark Beetle
North American distribution/Hosts
• First detected 2002 Aurora, CO, Ogden, UT
(USDA-FS/USDA-AHIS, Rapid Detection/Early
Response Pilot Proj.)
• Museum specimens 1994, Denver, CO, 1998,
Clovis NM, 2000, City of Industry, CA
• Hosts: Elm: American, Ulmus americana,
Siberian, U. pumila, English, U. thomasii, and
rock elm, U. procera.
5/14/2013
99. Banded Elm Bark Beetle
Identification
• Adults: 3-4mm, brown, band across elytra
• Larvae: Creamy white legless grubs in
phloem and outer bark
• Galleries asymmetric with overlapping
larval mines
Adult
Egg/Larval Galleries
Pupae
Larvae
100. NATIVE AND INTRODUCED BARK BEETLES OF ELM
Native elm bark beetle
(NEBB), Hylurgopinus rufipes
• Canada,South through Lake
States to Alabama and
Miss., Kansas, Neb.
• Various native elms
Smaller European elm bark beetle
(SEEBB), Scolytus multistriatus
• Throughout U.S.
• Native elms, English, Jap., and
Siberian elms (here, not Europe)
Banded elm bark beetle (BEBB), S.
schevyrewi
• Western States, spreading into
states east of Miss. R.
• Native elms, English, Jap., and
Siberian elms
2.2-2.5 mm 1.9-3.1mm 3-4 mm
102. Native/Introduced Bark Beetles of Elm
Galleries
NEBB SEEBB (galleries symmetric, fan-shaped without
overlapping larval mines BEBB)
BEBB
• 2-3.5” long
• ~60 eggs (23-123)
103. Native/Introduced Bark Beetles of Elm
Biology
Native elm bark beetle
(NEBB), Hylurgopinus rufipes
• Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult
• 1-2 yr life cycle dep. on lat.
Smaller European elm bark beetle
(SEEBB), Scolytus multistriatus
• Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult
• 2 gen/year, may have 3 in south
• Fly in spring and infest elms
• Larvae through summer/overwinter
Banded elm bark beetle (BEBB), S.
schevyrewi
• Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult
• 2 gen/year, may have 3 in south
(45day)
• Fly in spring and infest elms
• Larvae through summer/overwinter
2.2-2.5 mm 1.9-3.1mm 3-4 mm
109. Sirex Woodwasp
Profile
Scientific name: Sirex noctilio
Common name: Sirex woodwasp, European woodwasp, Eurasian woodwasp
Native to: Eurasia
Date of U.S. introduction: First identified in New York in 2004
Means of introduction: Accidentally introduced through imported wood products
Impact: Feeds on healthy pine trees and serves as a vector for a fungus that kills pine trees
110. Sirex Woodwasp
Hosts
Known Hosts: primarily pines, but on occasion Abies (fir) and Picea (spruce).
Native range hosts: (Europe, Asia, and northern Africa),
Scotch (Pinus sylvestris)
Austrian (P. nigra),
Maritime (P. pinaster) pines
Introduced range hosts: (U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa),
Monterey (P.radiata)
loblolly (P.taeda)
slash (P. elliottii)
shortleaf (P.echinata)
ponderosa (P. ponderosa)
lodgepole (P.contorta)
jack (P. banksiana)
111. Sirex Woodwasp
Impact
Has killed upwards of 80% of pine plantations
During oviposition, the female wasp lays eggs with or without a mucoid substance and a symbiotic
fungus for the larvae to feed on once they hatch.
The mucoid substance is toxic to trees and aids in tree decline.
The ascospores from the symbiotic fungus, Amylostereum areolatum, are also pathogenic.
112. Sirex Woodwasp
Profile
Invasive species in many parts of the world,
including Australia, New Zealand, North
America, South America, and South Africa.
116. Sirex Woodwasp
Identification-Adults
Male: orange mid-section
of abdomen, black hind
legs, front 2 pairs of legs
are orange. (0.35-1.26”)
Female: solid iron blue
body, orange legs (all 3
pairs). (0.59–1.42 in.
Ovipositor below tapering
tip of abdomen
Both: Pointed abdomen,
long black bristle-shaped
antennae
MaleFemale
117. Sirex Woodwasp
Identification-Eggs/Larvae
Eggs: Eggs: sausage shaped,
creamy white, ~ 0.057” long
(1.46 mm) and ~ 0.01” wide
(0.3 mm)
Larvae: cylindrical, legless,
creamy white grubs, up to
1.18” long (30 mm), with a
distinctive dark “spike” (or
spine) at the rear of the
abdomen
119. Sirex Woodwasp
Life Cycle
1 Generations/year (/2 yrs in cooler climates)
Complex interaction between several
organisms
Adult deposits fungus (Amylostereum
areolatum) from mycangia and toxic mucus.
Mucus disables water and nutrient transport,
causing wilting and ideal conditions for fungus
Fungus spreads and invades vascular system
of tree, dries out wood and breaks down
cellulose.
June-Sept
(212)
6 stages
120. Sirex Woodwasp
Signs/Symptoms
SWW are most likely to infest
weak, injured, diseased, very
rapidly growing, or otherwise
stressed living host trees, and
dead or fallen host trees.
Foliage wilts, needles point straight
down and turn light green/yellow to
red/brown over several months.
121. Sirex Woodwasp
Signs/Symptoms
Resin beads or dribbles on the
bark from oviposition drilling
wounds.
Round exit holes ⅛-⅜” (3-8 mm)
in diameter created by adults
emerging in year two.
122. Sirex Woodwasp
Management
Mechanical/Physical Control: chipping infested wood
Biocontrol agents
Beddingia siricidicola -parasitic nematode-has shown to infect up to 70% of the wasps.
Infects larvae, sterilizes adult females (where there is larvae)
The nematodes feed on the symbiotic fungus and use SWW as a means of dispersal (where there is no larvae)
The introductions of parasitic wasps. Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni, Rhyssa persuasoria persuasoria and Ibalia
leucospoides leucospoides have been successful at hyperparasitism, but do not reduce wasp populations below
40% of the local population
123. What is Nevada Doing to Prevent Invasive Species?
The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program was created to detect and monitor
invasive pests nationwide through annual surveys
Survey targets include plant diseases, weeds, insects, nematodes, and other invertebrate
organisms
Nevada CAPS is cooperatively administered by USDA, NDA.
Pest Tracker-Exotic Pest Reporting
124. What to Do if You Find a Suspected Invasive
Insect?
Contact Us!
Jeff Knight
Nevada Department of Agriculture
405 S. 21st Street
Sparks NV 89431
(775) 353-3767
Gene Phillips
Nevada Division of Forestry
2478 Fairview Drive
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Phone: 775-849-2500 ext 241
Heidi Kratsch
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Washoe County
4955 Energy Way
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 775-784-4848
If you are able to collect the suspected insect, it is
very important that you kill the insect (don’t squish
it!) to avoid its spread.
Place the insect into a spill-proof vial containing
alcohol (rubbing or other) or white vinegar.
Include with the vial:
Date
Location (street address or GPS location)
The plant that was affected (if applicable)
Your contact information in case we have follow-up
questions
Secure the sample using packing material to avoid
breakage/damage, and then mail the sample to us
Newly deposited eggs are cream-colored, but turn reddish-brown as they develop
NEED PHOTO
Several gen a yr
WTB is believed to have 2 to 3 generations a year in California. Adults emerge for an initial flight period in April and May followed by a longer second generation flight period in mid-July to mid-September. After flying, male beetles initiate brood galleries on branches often near leaf scars or lenticels. Males produce a pheromone and attract 2 to 3 females, which attract additional beetles to the tree. Females deposit eggs in galleries (tunnels) that are directed against the grain and constructed in the phloem and xylem (wood) surfaces. The gallery imprint is left on the wood surface. Small white C-shaped larvae hatch and create feeding mines that extend from the egg galleries. These mines are contained in the phloem and filled with dark brown to black-colored boring dust. Larvae complete development in the mines and subsequently pupate within a single pupal cell. Adults emerge and either remain at the original tree or fly to other trees to mate and reproduce. WTB does not appear to be attracted to stressed or injured branches or trees. Beetles are believed to inoculate the Geosmithia sp. fungus into the phloem during construction of feeding or reproductive galleries. The fungal pathogen colonizes and kills the phloem. Dead tissue is limited to the phloem and cambium and the fungus does not penetrate woody tissues. Secondary saprophytic fungi may opportunistically colonize the wood beneath cankers.
Ohio not reported here
DED-spores on emerging beetles, feed in healthy tree, construct galleries, spores in galleries.
Fungal conidia present in galleries, spores stick to adults as they exit, beetles bore into bole, fungus enters tree, travels to sapwood, blocks vascular system, tree wilts
Three species of bark beetles are associated with elms in the United States: (1) the native elm bark beetle (fig. 1) occurs in Canada and south through the Lake States to Alabama and Mississippi, including Kansas and Nebraska; (2) the introduced smaller European elm bark beetle (fig.2) occurs throughout the United States; and (3) the introduced banded elm bark beetle (fig. 3) is common in western states and is spreading into states east of the Mississippi River.
BEBB overwinter underneath the bark either as mature larvae,
pupae or adults. It takes 40-45 days to complete a life cycle,
and there may be 2-3 overlapping generations a year. New
adults emerge in early spring and begin feeding in the crotches
of tender twigs. Adults are most active on warm, sunny
afternoons. Females excavate entrance holes in the bark of elm
trees, mate there with males, then construct a single vertical egg
gallery about 2-3.5” (5-9 cm) long in the cambium underneath
the bark. Galleries contain an average of 60 individual egg
niches (range: 23-123) closely arranged along each side of the
gallery wall, sealed with a mixture of sawdust and adhesive
secretions.
Newly hatched larvae feed under the bark, constructing
individual mines somewhat perpendicular to the sides of the
egg gallery, which eventually meander up, down, and even
across each other. The larval stage is the most destructive
as larvae feed on the cambium (growth cells) and phloem
layers (food conduction tissue) under the bark, and high larval
densities can lead to complete girdling of the cambium. Larvae
eventually move to just under the outer layer of bark to pupate
in chambers constructed at the ends of the galleries. All life
stages of BEBB may be present later in the summer.
What to Look For:
BEBB usually attack elms weakened and stressed by drought,
and prefer trees over 4 years old with trunks or branches greater
than 2.0” (> 5 cm) in diameter. BEBB are capable of killing
mature, drought-stressed elms, and during outbreaks may attack
healthy elms.
Symptoms of BEBB infestation include:
• Wilted and/or fading foliage and branch breakage.
• Small round entrance/exit holes 0.06-0.08” (1.6-2.0 mm) in
diameter, in the bark.
• Sawdust and occasionally sap flow may be found on the bark
near entrance holes.
• Bark may easily slough off or be peeled away due to larvae
feeding on the inner bark.
• Repeated attacks on declining trees can lead to tree death.
What to Look For:
BEBB usually attack elms weakened and stressed by drought,
and prefer trees over 4 years old with trunks or branches greater
than 2.0” (> 5 cm) in diameter. BEBB are capable of killing
mature, drought-stressed elms, and during outbreaks may attack
healthy elms.
Symptoms of BEBB infestation include:
• Wilted and/or fading foliage and branch breakage.
• Small round entrance/exit holes 0.06-0.08” (1.6-2.0 mm) in
diameter, in the bark.
• Sawdust and occasionally sap flow may be found on the bark
near entrance holes.
• Bark may easily slough off or be peeled away due to larvae
feeding on the inner bark.
• Repeated attacks on declining trees can lead to tree death.
What to Look For:
BEBB usually attack elms weakened and stressed by drought,
and prefer trees over 4 years old with trunks or branches greater
than 2.0” (> 5 cm) in diameter. BEBB are capable of killing
mature, drought-stressed elms, and during outbreaks may attack
healthy elms.
Symptoms of BEBB infestation include:
• Wilted and/or fading foliage and branch breakage.
• Small round entrance/exit holes 0.06-0.08” (1.6-2.0 mm) in
diameter, in the bark.
• Sawdust and occasionally sap flow may be found on the bark
near entrance holes.
• Bark may easily slough off or be peeled away due to larvae
feeding on the inner bark.
• Repeated attacks on declining trees can lead to tree death.
What to Look For:
BEBB usually attack elms weakened and stressed by drought,
and prefer trees over 4 years old with trunks or branches greater
than 2.0” (> 5 cm) in diameter. BEBB are capable of killing
mature, drought-stressed elms, and during outbreaks may attack
healthy elms.
Symptoms of BEBB infestation include:
• Wilted and/or fading foliage and branch breakage.
• Small round entrance/exit holes 0.06-0.08” (1.6-2.0 mm) in
diameter, in the bark.
• Sawdust and occasionally sap flow may be found on the bark
near entrance holes.
• Bark may easily slough off or be peeled away due to larvae
feeding on the inner bark.
• Repeated attacks on declining trees can lead to tree death.
The Sirex woodwasp has a sturdy, cylindrical body without a waist, but with a pointed abdomen. The female body is 15–36 mm (0.59–1.42 in), and the male is 9–32 mm (0.35–1.26 in) long. Both sexes have long, black, bristle-shaped antennae, which are rather close together.[3][7]
The body of the male is black, except for the orange middle part of the abdomen. The wings are yellowish-translucent and the antennae are black. The front pair of legs has a yellowish-orange colour, the back pair is heavily thickened and is coloured black on the posterior splint and tarsus, while the femur is orange.[3][7]
The females are iron blue, and have orange legs and black antennae. This is a notable distinction from Sirex juvencus, which has red antennae. The females also have yellowish wings. The ovipositor is below the tapering tip of the abdomen. The sting is connected with the mycetangia, which are special organs on the abdomen, where the female stores the oidiae (asexual fungus spores), from broken segments of hyphae. These spores are deposited, together with the eggs, in the host tree wood to germinate. Both larvae and adults have strong mandibles and can drill through lead plates
The Sirex woodwasp has a sturdy, cylindrical body without a waist, but with a pointed abdomen. The female body is 15–36 mm (0.59–1.42 in), and the male is 9–32 mm (0.35–1.26 in) long. Both sexes have long, black, bristle-shaped antennae, which are rather close together.[3][7]
The body of the male is black, except for the orange middle part of the abdomen. The wings are yellowish-translucent and the antennae are black. The front pair of legs has a yellowish-orange colour, the back pair is heavily thickened and is coloured black on the posterior splint and tarsus, while the femur is orange.[3][7]
The females are iron blue, and have orange legs and black antennae. This is a notable distinction from Sirex juvencus, which has red antennae. The females also have yellowish wings. The ovipositor is below the tapering tip of the abdomen. The sting is connected with the mycetangia, which are special organs on the abdomen, where the female stores the oidiae (asexual fungus spores), from broken segments of hyphae. These spores are deposited, together with the eggs, in the host tree wood to germinate. Both larvae and adults have strong mandibles and can drill through lead plates
The Sirex woodwasp has a sturdy, cylindrical body without a waist, but with a pointed abdomen. The female body is 15–36 mm (0.59–1.42 in), and the male is 9–32 mm (0.35–1.26 in) long. Both sexes have long, black, bristle-shaped antennae, which are rather close together.[3][7]
The body of the male is black, except for the orange middle part of the abdomen. The wings are yellowish-translucent and the antennae are black. The front pair of legs has a yellowish-orange colour, the back pair is heavily thickened and is coloured black on the posterior splint and tarsus, while the femur is orange.[3][7]
The females are iron blue, and have orange legs and black antennae. This is a notable distinction from Sirex juvencus, which has red antennae. The females also have yellowish wings. The ovipositor is below the tapering tip of the abdomen. The sting is connected with the mycetangia, which are special organs on the abdomen, where the female stores the oidiae (asexual fungus spores), from broken segments of hyphae. These spores are deposited, together with the eggs, in the host tree wood to germinate. Both larvae and adults have strong mandibles and can drill through lead plates
Adult wasps emerge June through September, with peak emergence in August. The adult SWW bores out of the tree leaving a characteristic round exit-hole which varies in diameter according to the size of the wasp. Adults live one to three weeks and do not feed, living off of fat stored in their bodies. Females are attracted to stressed pine trees and can begin laying eggs one day after emergence. If the female does not mate with a male, she will lay eggs that produce only male offspring; if she does mate, eggs will produce both male and female offspring.
The biology of siricid woodwasps is a complex interaction between several organisms: the woodwasp and toxic mucus produced by the adult female, a symbiotic wood-decaying fungus, and the host tree. Newly pupated adult female woodwasps take up spores of the symbiotic fungus, Amylostereum areolatum, from their host trees as they emerge and carry them in specialized abdominal glands called mycangia. When a female is ready to lay eggs, she drills her ovipositor into the outer sapwood, simultaneously injects toxic mucus, and deposits a single egg. Drill holes are perfectly round, usually located on the sunny side of trees, and may occur singly or in a cluster of 5 or 6 “drills” together. If several drills are clustered, one usually lacks an egg and instead is packed with spores of the symbiotic fungus. A single female may lay 25-450 eggs, averaging about 212.
The toxic mucus disables the tree’s network for transporting water and nutrients, causing the foliage to wilt and yellow. This creates ideal conditions for the development and spread of the fungus, which invades the vascular system of the tree, dries out the wood and breaks down cellulose. The mucus and fungus acting together lead to the death of the tree and engender favorable conditions for eggs to hatch, while also providing food for developing larvae. The fungus feeds on the killed wood, and the larvae actually feed on the fungus. Larvae hatch from the eggs after a minimum of nine days, but in cooler climates eggs may remain dormant for several months or even over the winter. As larvae grow, they bore galleries deep into and through the wood. There are usually six larval instars, and it takes about 10-11 months to complete the larval stage. Mature larvae pupate close to the bark surface, and adults emerge about 3 weeks later.
SWW are most likely to infest weak, injured, diseased, very rapidly growing, or otherwise stressed living host trees, and dead or fallen host trees.
Symptoms of SWW infestation include:
• Foliage wilts and the needles point straight down.
• Needles in tree crowns turn light green to yellow to reddish brown over 3-6 months.
• Resin beads or dribbles on the bark from oviposition drilling wounds.
• Oviposition drill holes are perfectly round, usually clustered in groups of 5 or 6.
• Drill sites are more common at mid-bole level (10-30+ ft or 3-9+ m) on trees 6-8” (> 15 cm) in diameter and larger.
• Meandering larval galleries abut 5-6” (12-15 cm) long, tightly packed with frass, expanding in diameter as they progress.
• Galleries initiate in the cambium, then turn in toward the heartwood, and may turn back out toward the bark prior to pupation.
• Larvae may be found in galleries beneath the bark, deep into heartwood, or deep in oviposition drill holes.
• Pupae are typically found in chambers about 2” (5 cm) below the surface of the bark.
• Fungal staining of the cambial layer beneath the bark. Stains are long, narrow, oval shaped brown bands along the grain, with drill hole(s) at the center.
• Round exit holes ⅛-⅜” (3-8 mm) in diameter created by adults emerging in year two.
The Sirex woodwasp has a sturdy, cylindrical body without a waist, but with a pointed abdomen. The female body is 15–36 mm (0.59–1.42 in), and the male is 9–32 mm (0.35–1.26 in) long. Both sexes have long, black, bristle-shaped antennae, which are rather close together.[3][7]
The body of the male is black, except for the orange middle part of the abdomen. The wings are yellowish-translucent and the antennae are black. The front pair of legs has a yellowish-orange colour, the back pair is heavily thickened and is coloured black on the posterior splint and tarsus, while the femur is orange.[3][7]
The females are iron blue, and have orange legs and black antennae. This is a notable distinction from Sirex juvencus, which has red antennae. The females also have yellowish wings. The ovipositor is below the tapering tip of the abdomen. The sting is connected with the mycetangia, which are special organs on the abdomen, where the female stores the oidiae (asexual fungus spores), from broken segments of hyphae. These spores are deposited, together with the eggs, in the host tree wood to germinate. Both larvae and adults have strong mandibles and can drill through lead plates
Biological ControlSirex woodwasp has been successfully managed using biological control agents. The key agent is a parasitic nematode, Deladenus siricidicola, which infects sirex woodwasp larvae, and ultimately sterilizes the adult females. These infected females emerge and lay infertile eggs that are filled with nematodes, which sustain and spread the nematode population. The nematodes effectively regulate the woodwasp population below damaging levels. As sirex woodwasp establishes in new areas, this nematode can be easily mass-reared in the laboratory and introduced by inoculating it into infested trees. In addition to the nematode, hymenopteran parasitoids have been introduced into sirex woodwasp populations in the Southern Hemisphere, and most of them are native to North America (e.g., Megarhyssa nortoni, Rhyssa persuasoria, Rhyssa hoferi, Schlettererius cinctipes, and Ibalia leucospoides).