Journal of Insect Behavior (2007) 20, 537-552

Jonathan P. Lelito, Ivich Fraser, Victor C. Mastro, James H. Tumlinson, Katalin Böröczky and Thomas C. Baker (2007)
Visually mediated 'paratrooper copulations' in the mating behavior of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a highly destructive invasive pest of north American ash trees
Journal of Insect Behavior 20 (6), 537-552
Abstract: The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, is a serious invasive pest of North American ash (Fraxinus) trees. In captivity, mating is initiated by beetles at least 10 days old, and appears to be based simply on random contact with a member of the opposite sex. In the field, male A. planipennis search the tree during flight, and attempt to copulate with dead beetles of both sexes pinned to leaves, after descending rapidly straight down onto the pinned beetles from a height of from 30 to 100 cm. All evidence suggests that males find potential mates using visual cues. Equal numbers of feral males approach all 'dummy' beetles; however, considerably more time is spent attempting copulation with dead females rather than males, suggesting a contact chemical cue. Sticky traps prepared from dead, pinned EAB capture crawling insects as well as male A. planipennis, at a rate similar to that at which small purple sticky traps of similar overall area capture crawling insects and both sexes of feral EAB.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): James H. Tumlinson, Jonathan P. Lelito

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Agrilus planipennis	Ash (Fraxinus)