A new study from the University of Minnesota found that several species of parasitic fungi were effective at killing emerald ash borer beetles, one of the most devastating forest pests to ever hit North America.
Funding for this project was provided by the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center, supported by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Decades of research have gone into developing management tools to protect ash trees from emerald ash borer. Ash trees are important in urban areas where they can comprise up to 20% of the urban forest, but they are also a dominant tree in Minnesota’s northern marshlands. Additional tools are needed to protect ash trees in these remote areas where other forms of management are less feasible.
One tool which has shown promise at slowing the growth of emerald ash borer populations is the autodissemination device, which traps beetles and coats them with spores of insect-killing fungi. Once covered in spores, the beetles can fly out of the trap and spread spores to one another through mating.
"The idea behind the autodissemination device is to let the beetles do the work. They'd be spreading the spores, infecting their neighbors. This would be especially useful in hard-to-access forests, like the black ash marshes of northern Minnesota," said lead author Colin Peters, a graduate student in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
University of Minnesota researchers tested ten fungi from Minnesota to assess for their ability to kill emerald ash borer when used in these traps in a lab setting. It is important to study fungi from Minnesota to avoid introducing non-native fungi to the state and because Minnesota fungi are well adapted to local conditions.
Recently published in Forests, the study found:
- All of the fungi used in the study were successful at infecting emerald ash borer beetles.
- The lifespan of emerald ash borer beetles varied depending on which fungus they were exposed to in the trap.
- Three Minnesota-sourced fungi, and one commercially available fungus, reliably reduced emerald ash borer beetle lifespan and were consistently seen sprouting from dead emerald ash borer beetles.
"With a billion ash trees in Minnesota, we need to explore all possible methods to try and control this devastating pest. Laboratory studies show that biological control of the beetle using fungi is possible and the next step is to figure out how to get this to work under field conditions," said co-author Robert Blanchette, a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
The researchers are now testing the four most successful fungal strains in autodissemination devices placed at sites across Minnesota's state parks and forests, partnering with state and private land managers.
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About the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
The University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences strives to inspire minds, nourish people, and sustainably enhance the natural environment. CFANS has a legacy of innovation, bringing discoveries to life through science and educating the next generation of leaders. Every day, students, faculty, and researchers use science to address the grand challenges of the world today and in the future. CFANS offers an unparalleled expanse of experiential learning opportunities for students and the community, with 12 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across the state, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers. Learn more at cfans.umn.edu.
About the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center
The Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center was founded by the Minnesota Legislature to research the prevention, detection and control of terrestrial invasive species. MITPPC researchers use transformative science to prevent and minimize the threats posed by land-based invasive plants, pathogens, and pests. Founded in 2015, MITPPC is the only research center of its kind in the country, and the center's work to protect the state's native prairies, forests, wetlands, and agricultural resources benefits all of Minnesota and beyond. MITPPC receives program support from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Learn more at mitppc.umn.edu.
- Categories:
- Agriculture and Environment
- Environmental health
