Invasive Populations of Emerald Ash Borer <em>Agrilus planipennis</em> Fairmaire, 1888 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Saint Petersburg, Russia: a “Hitchhiker”?

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202109.0252.v1
• Publication Date: 2021-09-16T08:11:02Z
• Authors: Andrey V. Selikho...; Boris G. Popovichev; Sergey A. Merkuryev; Mark G. Volkovitsh; Rimvys Vasaitis; Dmitry L. Musolin
• Keywords: Agrilus; Emerald ash borer; Saint petersburg

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive beetle of East Asian origin that in North America and Russia killed millions trees (Fraxinus spp.). In September 2020, EAB was de-tected Saint Petersburg, becoming resonant event for the metropolitan city. The aim present study to investigate occurrence ecology Petersburg. presence two distinct enclave populations revealed, each which has (very likely) been established by separate events &amp;ldquo;hitchhiking&amp;rdquo; transport vehicles. Following invasion, further spread Petersburg slow locally restricted, main explanation climatic factor. Due &amp;ldquo;hitchhiking&amp;rdquo;, possibility long-distance ge-ographic Baltic Sea region (EU) high, not only ground (120&amp;ndash;130 km distance from EU borders), but also ferries transporting cars (traditional means transportation across Sea). certain cases, development on F. excelsior more successful (stem portion colonized, larval densities, number galleries, exit holes, viable larvae, emerged beetles) than (adjacent) pennsylvanica trees. Observed relatively high EAB-sensitivity therefore questions efficacy benefits currently ongoing selection breeding projects against dieback (ADB), caused Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Inventory, mapping, monitoring surviving areas infested both ADB are necessary acquire genetic resource work strategic long-term restoration excelsior, tackling (inevitable) invasion EU.