European Oak Borer found in New York

From the North American Plant Protection Organization's Phytosanitary Alert System: European oak borer (EOB), Agrilus sulcicollis Lacordaire – First report from the United States

Date posted: 12/01/2009

Contact: Valerie DeFeo, (301) 734-3393

Earlier this year the European oak borer (EOB), Agrilus sulcicollis Lacordaire (Buprestidae), was reported as a new record for the United States when it was identified from a trap collection in Michigan from 2003. More recently, EOB was found in a trap in Brockport, New York (Monroe County). This is a new state record and the second state in the United States from which this species has been reported. EOB was reported in Ontario, Canada in February 2009 (http://www.pestalert.org/oprDetail.cfm?oprID=362). Agrilus sulcicollis is considered an economic pest that may be a factor of oak decline in Europe, but recent literature describes this beetle as more of a secondary pest. EOB prefers to infest upper parts of the stems, branches, and smaller sized host trees. The beetle also inhabits freshly cut timber. EOB is native to most of Europe, except for the northernmost parts. The larvae develop in or under bark of live Quercus species, and require between one and two years to develop before emerging as adults. The host range of EOB includes Quercus spp. (oak), Castanea spp. (chestnut), and Fagus spp. (beech). Under IPPC standards, the European oak borer (Agrilus sulcicollis) is considered to be a pest that is present only in some areas of the United States (Michigan and New York).