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Potential pesticides for control of a recently introduced ambrosia beetle (Euwallacea sp.) in southern California

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Abstract

Polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) has recently invaded southern California. This beetle attacks more than 200 host tree species, including avocado (Persea americana Mill.) and many important native, urban landscape and nursery stock trees including sycamore (Platanus racemosa Nutt.), and box elder (Acer negundo L.). The beetle, along with its associated fungi, causes branch dieback and tree mortality in a large variety of tree species. Due to the severity of the impact of PSHB, short-term management tools must include chemical control options for the industry and private landowners to protect trees. We assessed the effectiveness of systemic and contact insecticides for control of PSHB in laboratory tests using fresh-cut castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) branches. Castor bean was chosen because, as a weedy species, it is widely available, and it is a preferred host for the beetles. We conducted field tests using mature, weedy, infested field-grown castor bean. We also surveyed infested coral trees (Erythrina corallodendron L.) in an established residential landscape. For field-grown infested castor bean, beetle activity was lowest for plants treated with bifenthrin, imidacloprid and dinotefuran. Bifenthrin was the most effective insecticide for reducing beetle attacks and gallery formation in castor bean branches in laboratory experiments with cut branches. Dinotefuran was more variable in effectiveness in laboratory trials. Fenpropathrin, clothianidin and orange oil extracts did not differ from untreated controls in beetle attacks and gallery formation. Based on these results, bifenthrin and imidacloprid were selected for further testing in combination with fungicides for control of PSHB.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Chris Hanlon, Sarah Jaime, Yasmin Khalil, Gabby Martinez, Blake Miles, Colin Umeda and Robin Veasey for assistance with laboratory and field work. We would like to thank John Kabashima and Monica Dimson from University of California Cooperative Extension, Orange County and Orange County Parks for providing resources and support. The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens provided research space and valuable cooperative support. We would especially like to thank Dan Berry and Tim Thibault from the Huntington Library. Bemus Landscape Inc. provided material support and cooperative assistance. This research was funded by grants from the California Avocado Commission, the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers, the Nursery Growers Association and a CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant. This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, Hatch Project under CA-R-ENT-7607-MS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Michele Eatough Jones & Timothy D. Paine

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  1. Michele Eatough Jones
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  2. Timothy D. Paine
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Correspondence to Michele Eatough Jones.

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Communicated by J.J. Duan.

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Eatough Jones, M., Paine, T.D. Potential pesticides for control of a recently introduced ambrosia beetle (Euwallacea sp.) in southern California. J Pest Sci 91, 237–246 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-017-0866-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-017-0866-8

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