Invasive Populations of the Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Saint Petersburg, Russia: A Hitchhiker?

Simple Summary The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle of Asian origin that has killed millions of ash trees in North America and Russia, with a devastating economic and ecological impact. In September 2020, EAB was detected for the first time in Saint Petersburg, Russia, notably killing ash trees. The invasion came from the eastern direction (Moscow) and became a significantly notable event for Saint Petersburg, famous for its historical parks. Moreover, Saint Petersburg is 120-130 km from the eastern EU borders of Estonia and Finland, with railway, motorway, and ferry connections. Currently, EAB is one of the most serious quarantine insect pests in the EU. There is a risk that the eventual EAB invasion could potentially extirpate European populations of ash. Currently, 95% are devastated by the invasive fungal disease ash dieback. Here, we investigated the development of EAB populations in Saint Petersburg, from its initial invasion (estimated year 2015), until 2021. We found that climatic conditions of north Russia do not favor the natural aerial spread of EAB. The two isolated populations were located, respectively, close to a motorway, and the Neva River (used for cargo shipping), implying that the insect spreads by transport vehicles, or "hitchhiking". This could potentially lead to the eventual invasion of the EU by this serious, tree-killing beetle. The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive beetle of East Asian origin that has killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America and Russia. In September 2020, EAB was detected in Saint Petersburg, a notable event for the metropolitan city. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and ecology of EAB in Saint Petersburg. The presence of two distinct enclave populations of EAB was revealed, each of which has, most likely, been established through separate events of "hitchhiking" via transport vehicles. Following the invasion, the further spread of EAB in Saint Petersburg was slow and locally restricted, most likely due to climatic factors. This spread by "hitchhiking" suggests that the possibility of the further long-distance geographic spread of EAB in the Baltic Sea region (the EU) is high, both by ground transport (120-130 km distance from EU borders) and ferries that transport cars across the Baltic Sea. In certain cases, the development of EAB on Fraxinus excelsior, based on the stem portion colonized, larval densities, number of galleries, exit holes, viable larvae, and emerged adult beetles, was more successful than in Fraxinus pennsylvanica trees. The observed relatively high sensitivity of F. excelsior to EAB, therefore, casts doubt on the efficacy and benefits of the currently ongoing selection and breeding projects against ash dieback (ADB) disease, which is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Inventory, mapping, and monitoring of surviving F. excelsior trees infested by both ADB and EAB are necessary to acquire genetic resources for work on the strategic long-term restoration of F. excelsior, tackling the probable invasion of EAB to the EU

Preimaginal Stages of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): An Invasive Pest on Ash Trees (Fraxinus)

This study provides the most detailed description of the immature stages of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire to date and illustrates suites of larval characters useful in distinguishing among Agrilus Curtis species and instars. Immature stages of eight species of Agrilus were examined and imaged using light and scanning electron microscopy. For A. planipennis all preimaginal stages (egg, instars I-IV, prepupa and pupa) were described. A combination of 14 character states were identified that serve to identify larvae of A. planipennis. Our results support the segregation of Agrilus larvae into two informal assemblages based on characters of the mouthparts, prothorax, and abdomen: the A. viridis and A. ater assemblages, with A. planipennis being more similar to the former. Additional evidence is provided in favor of excluding A. planipennis from the subgenus Uragrilus

Two new species of Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 from the Arabian Peninsula and Mauritania (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae: Acmaeoderini)

Volkovitsh, Mark G. (2019): Two new species of Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 from the Arabian Peninsula and Mauritania (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae: Acmaeoderini). Zootaxa 4648 (3): 581-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4648.3.1

Current Distribution and Diagnostic Features of Two Potentially Invasive Asian Buprestid Species: Agrilus mali Matsumura and A. fleischeri Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Our goal is to analyze the known geographical ranges and diagnostic features of two potentially invasive Asian buprestid species: the quarantine apple tree pest, Agrilus mali Matsumura, and the poplar pest A. fleischeri Obenberger. Based on the examination of museum collections and literature sources, we compiled comprehensive databases of records of the exact collecting sites for both species and generated detailed maps of their ranges. There are 51 documented localities for A. mali in the Russian Far East and East Siberia, Mongolia, China, and the Korean peninsula, and there are 53 documented localities for A. fleischeri in the Far East and Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and Japan. No evidence of the presence of A. mali in Japan was found. Outbreak sites of A. mali in Xinjiang in the 2000s most likely represent the newly forming invasion areas; their proximity to the wild apple stands in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan is a direct threat to Kazakhstan and adjacent countries. Sites damaged by A. fleischeri in Liaoning are situated within its native range; the outbreaks were likely triggered by the switch from indigenous to introduced poplars. This situation is similar to the early stages of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) invasion

Svatactesis gen. nov., a new genus for Polyctesis johanidesi with notes on the tribe Polyctesini (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae)

Volkovitsh, Mark G. (2016): Svatactesis gen. nov., a new genus for Polyctesis johanidesi with notes on the tribe Polyctesini (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1): 5-15, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.450390

Figs. 1–9 in Acmaeodera(Acmaeodera)BellamyolaVolkovitsh (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a New Species of Jewel Beetle from China

Figs. 1–9. Acmaeodera (Acmaeodera) bellamyola, male and female paratypes. 1) Dorsal view (length 7.1 mm); 2) Lateral view; 3) Head, frontal view; 4) Pronotum, dorsal view; 5) Right antenna of male; 6) Right antenna of female; 7) Parameres, dorsal view (length 1.5 mm); 8) Median lobe, dorsal view (length 0.85 mm); 9) Ovipositor, dorsal view (length 0.8 mm).Published as part of <i>Volkovitsh, Mark G., 2014, Acmaeodera(Acmaeodera)BellamyolaVolkovitsh (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a New Species of Jewel Beetle from China, pp. 37-40 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (1)</i> on page 38, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065x-68.1.37, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10101559">http://zenodo.org/record/10101559</a&gt

New unavailable names in Buprestidae (Coleoptera) and a short comment on the electronic publication of new names

Bílý, Svatopluk, Volkovitsh, Mark G. (2017): New unavailable names in Buprestidae (Coleoptera) and a short comment on the electronic publication of new names. Zootaxa 4243 (2): 371-372, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4243.2.

Chalcophorella Kerremans 1903

Genus CHALCOPHORELLA Kerremans, 1903 Chalcophorella bagdadensis (Laporte & Gory) 1836: 125 (Buprestis); Théry 1925: 79; Kubáň 2006: 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 551; Abaei 2014: 691 (author: Bily [sic!]). synonym: amarensis Obenberger 1942: 8 (subspecies of bagdadensis). synonym: aureoscripta Mandl & Pochon 1957: 326. synonym: berhauti Mandl & Pochon 1957: 325. [subgenus Stigmatophorella]. Distribution within Iran. "Chaldée persane: Kouh-Hadjoudj, Neima; Poucht-é-Kouh: Tagh-i-Mowla" (Théry 1925). Fars (Saghaei et al. 2010), Khuzestan (Théry 1925), Zagros area (Abaei 2014), Iran (no locality cited) (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a; Ali 2010). Distribution outside Iran. Armenia, Iraq, Syria, Turkey (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a; Ali 2010). Note. A robber fly species, Stenopogon junceus (Wiedemann in Meigen, 1820) (Diptera: Asilidiae) is the predator of C. bagdadensis (Saghaei et al. 2010). Chalcophorella bagdadensis freyi Obenberger 1942: 8 (subspecies of bagdadensis); Radjabi 1968: 71, 1976: 128; Bílý 1983 a: 53; Modarres Awal 1997: 134 (as bagdanensis frey); Borumand 2002: 29; Kubáň 2006: 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 551. Host plant(s) within Iran. Wild and cultivated almond (Amygdalus spp.; Rosaceae) (Modarres Awal 1997). Distribution within Iran. Bushehr, Kuhgiloyeh & Boyerahmad (Borumand 2002), Fars (Radjabi 1976; Bílý 1983 a; Modarres Awal 1997; Borumand 2002), Kerman, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Ilam (Radjabi 1968; Modarres Awal 1997; Borumand 2002), Tehran (Modarres Awal 1997), Iran (no locality cited) (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. Iraq (Bellamy 2008 a). Chalcophorella escalerae (Abeille de Perrin) 1904: 212 (Buprestis); Richter 1952: 197 (abberation of bagdadensis); Radjabi 1968: 71, 1976: 128; Modarres Awal 1997: 134; Borumand 2002: 29; Kubáň 2006: 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 551; Ghobari et al. 2012: 236. [subgenus Stigmatophorella]. Host plant(s) within Iran. Wild almond, white-thorn (Amygdalus sp., Crataegus sp., Rosaceae) (Modarres Awal 1997), Crataegus sp. (Rosaceae) (Borumand 2002). Distribution within Iran. Fars (Radjabi 1968, 1976; Modarres Awal 1997; Borumand 2002), Lorestan (Modarres Awal 1997; Borumand 2002), Kuhgiloyeh & Boyerahmad ("Valee du Chindaar, dans le Haut Karoum") (Abeille de Perrin 1904; Radjabi 1976; Borumand 2002), Yazd (Radjabi 1976), Kordestan (Ghobari et al. 2012), Iran (no locality cited) (Richter 1952; Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. None recorded. * Chalcophorella fabricii (Rossi) 1792: 100 (Buprestis); Théry 1925: 79; Kubáň 2006: 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 551. [subgenus Rossiella]. Immatures: Gory & Laporte 1840: 2; Bertoloni 1842: 87; Pecchioli 1843: 2; Perris 1877: 131. Biology/Bionomy: Gory & Laporte 1839: 2; Bertoloni 1842: 89; Pecchioli 1843: 2; Bertoloni 1872: 351; Xambeu 1892: 225; Berlese 1924: 184. Distribution within Iran. "Poucht-é-Kouh: Mollah-Giavan" (Théry 1925). Iran (no locality cited) (Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Iraq, Lebanon, Italy, Macedonia, Syria, Turkey, former Yugoslavia (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Note. The occurrence of this species in Iran needs confirmation. Chalcophorella morgani Théry 1925: 79 (Chalcophorella), 171 (Chalcophora); Kubáň 2006: 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 552. [subgenus Chalcophorella]. Distribution within Iran. Lorestan (Théry 1925), Iran (no locality cited) (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. Iraq, Turkey (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Chalcophorella orientalis (Obenberger) 1924 c: 14 (Chalcophorella); Kubáň 2006: 345, Bellamy 2008 a: 552; Ghobari et al. 2012: 236. [subgenus Stigmatophorella]. Distribution within Iran. Kordestan (Ghobari et al. 2012), Sistan & Baluchestan (Obenberger 1924 c), Iran (no locality cited) (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. Afghanistan, Pakistan (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Chalcophorella quadrioculata (Redtenbacher) 1843: 993 (Chalcophora); Kubáň 2006: 345; synonym: akbesiana Cobos 1957: 200 (subspecies of quadrioculata); Kubáň 2006: 46 (synonym of quadrioculata), 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 552. [subgenus Stigmatophorella]. Distribution within Iran. Iran (no locality cited) (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. Georgia, Iraq, Syria, Turkey (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Chalcophorella stigmatica (Dalman in Schönherr) 1817: 119 (Buprestis); Théry 1925: 79; Richter 1952: 195; Davatchi et al. 1959: 245; Farahbakhsh 1960: 73; Radjabi 1974: 38; Abai & Adeli 1984: 19; Modarres Awal 1997: 134; Borumand 2002: 30; Kubáň 2006: 345; Bellamy 2008 a: 552; Ghobari et al. 2012: 236. synonym: quadrinotata (Klug) 1829: No. 20 (Buprestis). synonym: lefebvrei (Laporte & Gory) 1836: 17 (Buprestis). synonym: quadrimaculata (Redtenbacher) 1850: 47 (Chalcophora). synonym: marseuli (Garbiglietti) 1867: lxvii (Buprestis); Modarres Awal 1997: 134 (subspecies of stigmatica, author Obenberger). synonym: balcanica Obenberger 1936 c: 175 (subspecies of stigmatica). [subgenus Chalcophorella]. Host plant(s) within Iran. Amygdalus spp. (Rosaceae) (Davatchi et al. 1959; Abai & Adeli 1984; Modarres Awal 1997), wild almond (Amygdalus sp.) (Farahbakhsh 1960), Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) (Borumand 2002). Distribution within Iran. East Azarbayjan, Markazi (Modarres Awal 1997),? Fars (Modarres Awal 1997, as stigmatica marseuli Obenberger), Isfahan and central provinces (Abai & Adeli 1984; Modarres Awal 1997), Kermanshah (Radjabi 1974; Modarres Awal 1997; Borumand 2002), Khuzestan (Théry 1925), Kordestan (Ghobari et al. 2012), Iran (no locality cited) (Richter 1952; Davatchi et al. 1959; Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a). Distribution outside Iran. Albania, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Italy (Sardinia), Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Syria, Turkey (Kubáň 2006; Bellamy 2008 a).Published as part of Ghahari, Hassan, Volkovitsh, Mark G. & Bellamy, Charles L., 2015, An annotated catalogue of the Buprestidae of Iran (Coleoptera: Buprestoidea), pp. 1-141 in Zootaxa 3984 (1) on pages 34-35, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3984.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/24515

A study on the tribe Poecilonotini, with a revision of the subtribe Nesotrinchina subtrib. nov. and the description of a new genus and species from Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Chrysochroinae)

Bílý, Svatopluk, Kubáň, Vítězslav, Volkovitsh, Mark G. (2009): A study on the tribe Poecilonotini, with a revision of the subtribe Nesotrinchina subtrib. nov. and the description of a new genus and species from Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Chrysochroinae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 49 (2): 729-767, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.532488