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06/28/2007
Exotic ElmTree Pest
Found for
First Timein Ohio
Writer:
Candace Pollock
[email protected]
(614) 292-3799
Source:
Curtis Young, OSU [email protected]
(419) 222-9946
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An exotic insect that can
cause cosmetic damage to elm trees has beenreported for the
first time in Ohio.
The European elm flea weevil (Orchestes alni),
first found and identified in the Midwest in Illinoisand
Wisconsin in 2003, was recently discovered
feeding on Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila) innorthwest Ohio by Ohio
State University
Extension entomologist Curtis Young. Younginitially suspected
the feeding damage was
caused by a more common insect, the elm leaf
beetle -- until he inspected the damaged trees abit more closely
and discovered the true culprit.
I could find no adults or larvae at the defoliation
site or on the ground, indicative of elm leafbeetle presence. I
then took a closer look at theleaves and found a large number of
small brown
beetles that jumped like flea beetles when
disturbed, said Young. When I examined themunder a hand lens, I
found that the beetles had a
proboscis, or long snout, suggesting that theywere weevils. The
insect was soon identified as
the European elm flea weevil.
PDF / Photos / Audio / Video
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Page 1 of 3Exotic Elm Tree Pest Found for First Time in Ohio
8/6/2009http://extension.osu.edu/~news/story.php?id=4169
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The European elm flea weevil, commonthroughout Europe, was first
identified in the
northeastern U.S. in 1982.The tiny adult is blackor dark brown
with a prominent proboscis and a
distinctive enlarged femur on the hind leg that
identifies it as a flea weevil. Adults appear in thespring and
feed on the underside of newly
emerging leaves. After feeding, they lay eggsalong the leaf
veins. The larvae, acting as leaf
miners, will feed for several more weeks beforethey pupate.
Adults emerge throughout the
summer and resume feeding on the host elmsuntil they seek
overwintering sites on or near the
host plants. Entomologists speculate that the
European elm flea weevil only goes through onegeneration per
season.
Feeding from the European elm flea weevil wontkill an elm tree,
but if the feeding is extensive
enough to cause severe defoliation, that could
potentially weaken the tree and expose it toother stresses, said
Young. The thing that isparticularly concerning about the
cosmetic
damage the insect causes is that it feeds on
popular green industry species and those thathave few known
insect pests. This, of course, can
impact the aesthetic value of the tree.
The most common host of the European elm flea
weevil is the Siberian elm, which is a common
landscape and street tree. Other hosts are elmhybrids, such as
Homestead (a hybrid involving
three elm species -- U. carpinifolia, U. hollandicaand U.
pumila), that has been produced
specifically for Dutch elm disease resistance. Thetrue Chinese
elm (U. parvifolia) is also a suitable
host, a popular elm because of its unique
appearance and because it has very few knowninsect pests.
Young said that steps can be taken to identify,control and
manage any defoliation damage to
elm species:
Identify the source of the defoliation, especially
if the damage is caused by an insect. Elm species
are host to a variety of insects and pests, such asa sawfly leaf
miner, the European elm scale and
caterpillars of several butterflies. For example,identify
whether its elm leaf beetle or elm flea
weevil, as the feeding damage caused by both isvery similar, and
can be confusing, said Young.
In cases of severe defoliation, adult insects,
including the European elm flea weevil, can easily
Page 2 of 3Exotic Elm Tree Pest Found for First Time in Ohio
8/6/2009http://extension.osu.edu/~news/story.php?id=4169
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be controlled with foliar insecticides.
Trees can recover from severe defoliationdamage with proper care
and maintenance to
induce good plant health, such as watering,
pruning, fertilizing and mulching.
If European elm flea weevil is suspected oridentified, landscape
and nursery professionals,
urban foresters, homeowners, or otherindividuals are encouraged
to contact Young at
(419) 222-9946, or [email protected].
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Page 3 of 3Exotic Elm Tree Pest Found for First Time in Ohio
8/6/2009http://extension osu edu/~news/story php?id=4169
