Invasive Arthropod Pests of Woody Ornamental Plants

There are many concerns for the health of trees and shrubs in our landscapes, nurseries, and forests due to recent unintentional introduction of some exotic insect pest species into the northeastern and midwestern United States. Currently, the two species most often discussed by regulatory agencies and covered by the news media are the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). To date the ALB is known to occur in New York, Illinois, Toronto, Canada, and more recently in New Jersey.

The emerald ash borer was first detected in southeastern Michigan in July 2002. This pest was discovered in Ohio early in 2003, in Maryland later in 2003, and in Indiana in 2004. These infestations likely originated from EAB-infested nursery stock, firewood, or ash logs that were transported from southeastern Michigan.

Two task forces have been formed in Pennsylvania to address concerns regarding the ALB and the EAB. These two groups are comprised of scientists from federal and state regulatory agencies, natural resource management agencies, and The Pennsylvania State University. The main objective of these task forces is to develop an action plan for ALB and EAB if these were to be detected in Pennsylvania. Another objective of these two groups is to work collaboratively in order to prevent the introduction of these invasive pests into the landscapes, nurseries, and forests of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the goal of these scientists is to educate green-industry professionals and the public regarding these exotic pests. The contact person for any observations on invasive arthropod pests is Jim Stimmel, survey entomologist, Division of Plant Protection, Bureau of Plant Industry, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The phone number is 717-772-5228.

Below are some useful Web sites for additional information on the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer.

Asian Longhorned Beetle Web Sites
USDA/APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine
University of Vermont's Asian Longhorned Beetle Web Site
USDA Forest Service Asian Longhorned Beetle Web Site
Asian Longhorned Beetle Invades Chicago


Emerald Ash Borer Web Sites
USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection: Emerald Ash Borer
Michigan Department of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Web Site
Ohio Department of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Web Site
Emerald Ash Borer in Maryland
Invasive.org's Emerald Ash Borer Web Page

Azatin XL, Azatin XL Plus (Insect Growth Regulator),and Ornazin 3% EC--Botanical Insecticides
These botanical insecticides are labeled for management of pests such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs, leafhoppers, leafminers, loopers, sawflies, cankerworms, psyllids, beetles, and caterpillars on ornamentals, trees, and shrubs in ornamental greenhouses, shadehouses, commercial nurseries, and interiorscapes.