The threat of the ambrosia beetle Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (=Platypus mutatus Chapuis) to world poplar resources

We describe the life cycle of Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (=Platypus mutatus) and the damage it causes to poplar resources in Argentina. This insect, native to the subtropical and tropical areas of South America, has extended its range into temperate regions, reaching as far south as Neuquén in Argentinean Patagonia. The damage is caused by the adult insects, which bore large gallery systems into living poplars (Populus spp.), willows (Salix spp.) and many other broadleaf species, including important fruit trees species such as apples (Malus spp.), walnuts (Juglans spp.) and avocados (Persea spp.). The galleries degrade the lumber and weaken the tree stems, which often then break during windstorms. A recent introduction of M. mutatus to Italy demonstrates that this insect can be transported long distances between countries, and therefore presents a threat worldwide - particularly to poplar cultivation. We review the taxonomic nomenclature for this pest, provide a summary of the life cycle, hosts and damage and summarize actions taken to reduce the risk of introduction of M. mutatus to Canada.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

The threat of the ambrosia beetle Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (=Platypus mutatus Chapuis) to world poplar resources

We describe the life cycle of Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (=Platypus mutatus) and the damage it causes to poplar resources in Argentina. This insect, native to the subtropical and tropical areas of South America, has extended its range into temperate regions, reaching as far south as Neuquén in Argentinean Patagonia. The damage is caused by the adult insects, which bore large gallery systems into living poplars (Populus spp.), willows (Salix spp.) and many other broadleaf species, including important fruit trees species such as apples (Malus spp.), walnuts (Juglans spp.) and avocados (Persea spp.). The galleries degrade the lumber and weaken the tree stems, which often then break during windstorms. A recent introduction of M. mutatus to Italy demonstrates that this insect can be transported long distances between countries, and therefore presents a threat worldwide - particularly to poplar cultivation. We review the taxonomic nomenclature for this pest, provide a summary of the life cycle, hosts and damage and summarize actions taken to reduce the risk of introduction of M. mutatus to Canada.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

In the dark in a large urban park: DNA barcodes illuminate cryptic and introduced moth species

Abstract To facilitate future assessments of diversity following disturbance events, we conducted a first level inventory of nocturnal Lepidoptera in Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada. To aid the considerable task, we employed high-throughput DNA barcoding for the rough sorting of all material and for tentative species identifications, where possible. We report the preliminary species list of 190, the detection of four new exotic species (Argyresthia pruniella, Dichelia histrionana, Paraswammerdamia lutarea, and Prays fraxinella), and the potential discovery of two cryptic species. We describe the magnitude of assistance that barcoding presents for faunal inventories, from reducing specialist time to facilitating the detection of native and exotic species at low density

A Comprehensive DNA Barcode Library for the Looper Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) of British Columbia, Canada

The construction of comprehensive reference libraries is essential to foster the development of DNA barcoding as a tool for monitoring biodiversity and detecting invasive species. The looper moths of British Columbia (BC), Canada present a challenging case for species discrimination via DNA barcoding due to their considerable diversity and limited taxonomic maturity.By analyzing specimens held in national and regional natural history collections, we assemble barcode records from representatives of 400 species from BC and surrounding provinces, territories and states. Sequence variation in the barcode region unambiguously discriminates over 93% of these 400 geometrid species. However, a final estimate of resolution success awaits detailed taxonomic analysis of 48 species where patterns of barcode variation suggest cases of cryptic species, unrecognized synonymy as well as young species.A catalog of these taxa meriting further taxonomic investigation is presented as well as the supplemental information needed to facilitate these investigations

Delayed recognition of the European poplar shoot borer, Gypsonoma aceriana (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in Canada

The long-term presence of Gypsonoma aceriana (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), a European shoot—boring pest of poplars, was discovered in British Columbia during examination of cytochrome c oxidase 1 sequences of voucher specimens deposited in the Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, arthropod reference collection. Originally identified as a species of Epiblema, G. aceriana was first recovered in BC in 1980, almost 20 years before it was reported in Washington State. DNA barcodes from both larval and adult collections are demonstrated to be conspecific with an adult collection from Great Britain. Preliminary surveys of early and late instar larval feeding damage in southwestem British Columbia demonstrate that this shoot borer is established on southem Vancouver Island and throughout the lower mainland of the province. The eastem-most collections made to date include locations near Yale in the Fraser Canyon, from the lower Coquihalla River watershed and from Hope

DNA barcoding identifies the first North American records of the Eurasian moth, Eupithecia pusillata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The first North American records of the jumper pug moth, Eupithecia pusillata (Dems & Schiffermuller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), brought to our attention using DNA barcoding, are presented. Documentation and collection localities suggest it was introduced, established, and likely has persisted, at least in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia since the mid-1970s. We discuss the integration of DNA barcoding into routine biosurveillance and forest insect surveys to prevent such delay in recognition of non-indigenous species—in this case, 34 years

First Canadian records of Lampropteryx sujfumata ([Denis & Schiffermiiller], 1775) (Geometridae: Larentiinae)

The first Canadian records of the Holarctic species Lampropteryx suflumata ([Dems & Schiffermuller], 1775) are documented, based on collections from Alberta and British Columbia. Widespread and common throughout much of Eurasia, the larvae feed on Galium species (Rubiaceae). Diagnostic descriptions and images are provided to aid in future recognition of this species. The specimens were originally detected while constructing a DNA barcoding library for westem North American Geometridae, and provide a good example of how genetic methods can enhance the construction of regional inventories and aid in surveillance for invasive species