Temporal and spatial dynamics of the emerald ash borer invasion in Connecticut as shown by the native digging wasp Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

Detecting and monitoring populations of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) is crucial to successful management pest evaluation its ecological impacts. However, beetle’s cryptic habit makes accurate costly time-consuming. Biosurveillance takes advantage foraging effort a predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). This native, solitary, ground-nesting hunting hunts adult buprestid beetles provision brood cells. By intercepting wasps, we can learn which species buprestids are in surrounding forest. The resulting data provides information on presence relative abundance like EAB supplement other efforts. In this paper share results ten years biosurveillance surveys Connecticut. Among 112 sites, observed populations; from first detection, through population peak then crash, matching patterns regions United States. We also spread as it moved state following an invasion front starting New Haven, Co. average time detection crash was nine years. On average, peaked three after remained at levels for four Population decline gradual took another Notably, no evidence second introduction Connecticut seen with proportional increasing over expanding outward point. These corroborate traditional efforts eastern U.S. provide independent validation predicted dynamics stands.