Novel visual-cue-based sticky traps for monitoring of emerald ash borers, Agrilus planipennis (Col., Buprestidae)

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Col., Buprestidae), an invasive pest currently threatening the complete destruction of North America’s ash resource, was first detected in the Midwestern United States and adjacent Canada in 2002 (Haack et al. 2002). Effective detection and monitoring of this pest has so far remained elusive (Poland and McCullough 2006). Identifying a reliable species-specific lure has proved to be relatively difficult thus far, despite the elucidation of antennally active plant volatiles (Crook et al. 2005, 2006, 2007; Poland et al. 2005, 2006; Rodriguez-Saona et al. 2006), as well as a sex-specific macrolide produced by female beetles (Bartelt et al. 2007). The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has created purple sticky traps that are still under research and development (Francese et al. 2005a, 2007; McCullough et al. 2006; Poland et al. 2006; Poland and McCullough 2007), but these are generally effective at detecting EAB adults only at high population densities. Girdling ash trees and stripping the bark to reveal larvae during the following