Behavioral ecology of host selection in the Asian longhorned beetle: implications for surveying, detecting, and monitoring adult beetles

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cermabycidae) is among the high-risk invasive species that have invaded the U.S. from China. ALB has attacked approximately 25 deciduous tree species in 13 genera in North America, most notably 7 maple (Acer) species. To date, known infestations outside its countries of origin (year found) include New York City and Long Island, NY (1996); Chicago, IL (1998); Braunau, Austria (2001); Jersey City, NJ (2002); Gien, France (2003); Toronto, Canada (2003); Carteret, NJ (2004); Linden, NJ (2006); and Prall’s Island, a part of Staten Island (2007). In addition, adult ALB were discovered in Sacramento, CA (June 2005), putting at risk many tree species in the western U.S. Infested trees continue to be found in the New York and New Jersey infestations, with 69 and 89 infested trees discovered, respectively, in the New York, and the Carteret and Linden, NJ, infestations in 2006. During 2007, a total of 80 infested trees were discovered and removed in the New York infestation as of April 22 (15 in Queens, 21 in Brooklyn, 41 on Prall’s Island, and 3 on Staten Island). The total number of infested and high-risk trees removed from the North American infestations, as of April 22, 2007, includes 10,989 trees (6,184 infested) in New York City; 1,771 trees (1,551 infested) in Chicago, IL; 461 trees (113 infested) in Jersey City, NJ; 25,000 trees (600 infested) in Toronto, Canada; and 21,513 trees (616 infested) in Carteret and Linden, NJ. It should be noted that the infestation on Prall’s Island is being eradicated via removal of all host trees, totaling 2,933 high-risk trees and 41 infested trees removed as of April 22. Survey for trees infested by A. glabripennis depends solely on the visual inspection of individual trees by surveyors within a specified radius from trees showing signs or symptoms of attack. These visual surveys focus specifically on tree species reported to be hosts of ALB. However, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reports visual surveys to be 33-60% effective, depending upon the survey method used (i.e., ground survey, bucket truck survey, tree climber survey). Furthermore, visual surveys are very expensive, thereby limiting the number of trees inspected. To date, no methods are used specifically to detect and monitor adult A. glabripennis in the existing infestations in New York, New Jersey, and Chicago, such as sentinel trees or attractants. Therefore, the objectives of the research reported here were to develop (1) sentinel trees for detecting of adult ALB, (2) an attract-and-kill strategy for monitoring adult ALB, and (3) an artificial lure for detecting and monitoring adult ALB.