2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? This Project falls within the general overview of Crop Production, Product Value and Safety, and more specifically into NP 304 Crop Protection and Quarantine. The project specifically deals with management of invasive scarabs and root weevils, and other insects of quarantine importance to the nursery and horticultural industries. The emerald ash borer (EAB) was first discovered in the United States near Detroit, MI in June 2002. It appears that it had been in the area of the Detroit Airport for at least five years before the problem was diagnosed. Since its discovery, infestations have been found in a wide area around Detroit, and satellite populations of the EAB have been noted in Ohio, Indiana, and Maryland. At the end of the 2004 season, over 5.5 million ash trees in the core infestation in southeastern Michigan were dead or dying. EAB larvae feed in the phloem and outer sapwood, producing galleries that eventually girdle and kill branches and entire trees. This borer is particularly serious since it can kill both stressed and apparently healthy trees. EAB have attacked and killed apparently vigorous trees in woodlots and urban trees under regular irrigation and fertilization regimes. The beetle is a native of the Far East and has been reported from China, Mongolia, Russia, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. In its native habitat, the EAB attacks not only Asian ash species, but also species of elm, walnut and wingnut. If the EAB were able to attack alternate hosts in the United States, it would have a major impact on survey work and the overall success of the eradication effort planned for southeastern Michigan. Because of the serious nature of this invasive species, a Specific Cooperative Agreement was funded by the Nursery and Floral Initiative, and instituted through the Application Technology Research Unit at Wooster. The SCA with Michigan State University was first funded in 2003, and new funds were added in 2004, 2005, and 2006. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) The first objective was to evaluate alternative host species in the laboratory to see if they were acceptable to ovipositting adults, and if they were suitable for larval development. Alternative hosts were also to be evaluated in the field by exposing logs (10 cm diam, 60 cm long) in the canopy of heavily infested ash trees. Another field test was to be conducted for adult landing rates on three species of ash, alternate hosts, and black drain pipe as a control. New milestones for 2006 follow up on the discoveries of 2004 and 2005, and verify what was found. The second objective was to evaluate the preference of EAB among four species of ash. In 2005, the preference of adults for feeding on the various ash species would be determined. Also in 2005, the preference of adults for laying eggs on four North American species of ash was evaluated. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. This accomplishment aligns with Biology of Pests and Natural Enemies under Research Component A (Insects and Mites). Emerald ash borer is an invasive insect attacking ash trees in forests and landscapes. This pest is causing millions of dollars in lost revenue to the ornamental nursery industry. The extent of this insects host range is unknown. Emerald ash borer appears to attack only ash, however, there are many species of trees relate to ash that are potential targets as well. This research was designed to determine which native North American trees are susceptible to attack by emerald ash borer. This research was conducted by Michigan State University through a specific cooperative agreement with the USDA-ARS Application Technology Research Unit. A host range for EAB was determined. Walnut and elm were determined to be poor hosts of EAB and green ash the preferred host. White ash and black ash were also viable hosts. 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and Michigan State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 3607-22000-010-00D Management of Invasive Scarabs, Root Weevils and other Beetles of Quarantine Significance in Horticultural, Turf and Nursery Crops. Results of host range work found that EAB will oviposit on species other than ash such as walnut and elm in no-choice tests, but larval establishment is doubtful. EAB does feed and develop on all three ash species (green, black and white) tested. Privet appeared to be a suitable host for oviposition and first instar development. Green ash appears to be preferred over white ash, and white ash was preferred over blue ash. Additional tests with privet and other species related to ash were evaluated during 06. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. This research has identified which tree species are susceptible to attack by emerald ash borer. So far, the native North American ash species of green ash, white ash, and black ash appear to be the most susceptible, while other members of the ash family are not. This information will be used by regulatory agencies for determining quarantines, and by plant breeders when developing cultivars of plants for sale. This was the second year of the project. This research will help us determine the potential for EAB to spread to other areas of North America. In addition, it will help us determine the probability of containing this pest within the quarantine areas and the steps needed to manage it. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of this work were presented at the Emerald Ash Borer Meeting September 26-27 at Pittsburgh, PA. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). McCullough, D. 2005. Emerald ash borer. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America Meeting in Ft Lauderdale, FL, December 2005. Agius, A., D. McCullough, D. Cappaert, T. Poland, and D. Miller. 2005. Host range and preferences of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Michigan. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America Meeting in Ft Lauderdale, FL, December 2005.