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1 June 2010 Azadirachtin: An Effective Systemic Insecticide for Control of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Nicole Mckenzie, Blair Helson, Dean Thompson, Card Otis, John Mcfarlane, Teresa Buscarini, Joe Meating
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Abstract

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an invasive pest discovered in North America in 2002, is now well established and threatens ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees throughout the continent. Experiments were conducted to 1) examine the efficacy of an alternative natural pesticide, azadirachtin, to control emerald ash borer, and 2) determine foliar uptake and dissipation patterns after systemic injections of azadirachtin into trunks of small (2.2 cm diameter at breast height [dbh]), uninfested green ash trees. We found no evidence of mortality of adult beetles. In contrast, fewer larvae completed their development at dose levels ≥1.7 mg (AI)/cm dbh and development ceased beyond the second instar at dose levels ≤13.6 mg (AI)/cm dbh. Substantial concentrations (11.2 µg/g dry mass [SD = 7.55]) of azadirachtin were present in leaves within 7 d of treatment. After rapid initial uptake, concentrations in leaves declined logarithmically during the 55 d after injection. A similar pattern was observed in a separate experiment that examined the uptake and translocation of azadirachtin in larger green ash trees (22 cm dbh) treated with 250 mg (AI)/cm dbh with the EcoJect injection system. In another experiment, recently infested plantation green ash trees treated with doses ≥40 mg (AI)/cm dbh had significant reductions in adult emergence ≈1 yr postinjection. Given the inhibition of larval development, reduction of adult emergence, and the occurrence of foliar residues at biologically active concentrations, we conclude that azadirachtin is effective in protecting ash trees from emerald ash borer.

© 2010 Entomological Society of America
Nicole Mckenzie, Blair Helson, Dean Thompson, Card Otis, John Mcfarlane, Teresa Buscarini, and Joe Meating "Azadirachtin: An Effective Systemic Insecticide for Control of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)," Journal of Economic Entomology 103(3), 708-717, (1 June 2010). https://doi.org/10.1603/EC09305
Received: 11 September 2009; Accepted: 1 March 2010; Published: 1 June 2010
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KEYWORDS
azadirachtin
emerald ash borer
foliar uptake
larval mortality
systemic injection
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