Aproceros leucopoda (Hymenoptera: Argidae): An East Asian pest of elms (Ulmus spp.) invading Europe
2010
Blank, S.M.,Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Inst., Muencheberg (Germany) | Hara, H.,Forestry Research Inst., Bibai (Japan). | Mikulas, J.,Corvinus Univ. of Budapest (Hungary). Research Inst. for Viticulture and Enology | Csoka, G.,Forest Research Inst., Matrafuered (Hungary). Dept. of Forest Protection | Ciornei, C.,Forest Research and Management Inst., Bacau (Romania) | Constantineanu, R.,Biological Research Inst., Iasi (Romania) | Constantineanu, I.,Biological Research Inst., Iasi (Romania) | Roller, L.,Slovenska Akademia Vied, Bratislava (Slovak Republic). Ustav Zoologie | Altenhofer, E.,Etzen 39, Gross Gerungs (Austria) | Huflejt, T.,Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (Poland). Museum and Inst. of Zoology | Vetek, G.,Corvinus Univ. of Budapest (Hungary). Dept. of Entomology
An invasive sawfly Aproceros leucopoda which originates from East Asia has colonized elms in Austria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Ukraine, at least since 2003. In Europe, the larvae can completely defoliate native and non-native elm trees and may cause at least partial dieback. Field observations indicate that elms are infested independently of their age and site characteristics. The life cycle of A. leucopoda is described based on material reared in Hokkaido, Japan. Parthenogenetic reproduction, short life cycle of summer generations and the ability to produce four generations per year result in the production of numerous progeny. The evolution of a seasonal dimorphism in head morphology, a simple cocoon that is attached directly to the host plant and a short period spent in the cocoon stage during summer are putative apomorphies shared by Aproceros and Aprosthema. These traits reduce developmental costs and contribute to the proliferation of A. leucopoda. No specialized parasitoid that can effectively reduce outbreaks of this species is known. It is likely that this pest will spread into central and south-western Europe. Further monitoring of A. leucopoda is required to assess future range extensions in Europe, its exacerbating effect on Dutch elm disease and to find a suitable biocontrol agent. Concise keys to imaginal and larval stages are presented that will facilitate the identification of A. leucopoda.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Library of Antonin Svehla