The biology of Cerceris fumipennis

Transcription

1 The biology of Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in southern Ontario and its value as a tool for monitoring the distribution of Emerald Ash Borers (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Philip D. Careless, Dr. Steve Marshall, Dr. Bruce Gill Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph

2 Using insects to find insects Philip D. Careless, Dr. Steve Marshall, Dr. Bruce Gill Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph

3 A Problematic Beetle CFIA is working to understand and contain the spread of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

4 Successful management of the beetle will be dependent on detection tools. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Tree Traps Visual Inspection Unfortunately current methods are costly, labour intensive and at times impractical.

5 This Native Wasp May Help Cerceris fumipennis David Cheung Wasps provision nests with many species of adult buprestid beetles SA Marshall Subterranean nests Pupa Larva David Cheung Egg

6 Naturally Established Wasp Colonies Cerceris fumipennis is a solitary wasp that lives in loose groups of between nests per colony. 25 nests C. fumipennis prefer to nest in sparsely vegetated, hard packed sandy soil. Almost always associated with human activity. 488 nests Adults are active from late June - September and a typical colony of 70 nest will collect up to 140 beetles a day.

7 Natural Distribution Broad species distribution: Ontario-Florida-Texas Current known range of C. fumipennis

8 The New Monitoring Tool EAB is a species of buprestid beetle The native Crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis preys on many species of buprestid beetles Windsor Ontario 2004: C. fumipennis was found to provision its nests with EAB SA Marshall While not abundant enough to extirpate the beetles, C. fumipennis may be useful in monitoring for the pest. It is possible to check for EAB by visiting the local C. fumipennis colony: a lowcost monitoring site for a serious invasive alien pest.

9 The Wasp as a Sampling Tool 1) Cerceris fumipennis actively forage between ~ 9:30am and 5:00pm. 2) Clear plastic cups placed over all nest entrances will serve as turnstyles allowing the monitor to observe wasps as they arrive with prey. A weight on top stops the cups from blowing away. 3) To release emerging wasps tip over the cup and then re-cup nest entrance.

10 The Wasp as a Sampling Tool 4) Returning wasps will hover around the cup and wait for the observer to tip it over again. At this point the observer can clearly see if the wasp is carrying prey and can identify it as EAB or a native species. 5) Observing 40 or more wasps with prey should allow the monitor to determine if EAB are active in the surrounding forest. Native species of Chrysobothris 6) This form of monitoring has no significant impact on the wasp s nesting and foraging behaviour.

11 Benefits of using the Native Wasps a) Monitoring for EAB requires minimal effort and cost. Only single observer is need to watch a colony.

12 Benefits of using the Native Wasps a) Monitoring for EAB requires minimal effort and cost. Only single observer is need to watch a colony. b) Using a colony is a sustainable form of monitoring since the wasps are not harmed and nests do not need to be excavated. X

13 Benefits of using the Native Wasps a) Monitoring for EAB requires minimal effort and cost. Only single observer is need to watch a colony. b) Using a colony is a sustainable form of monitoring since the wasps are not harmed and nests do not need to be excavated. c) Cerceris fumipennis are harmless and are apparently unable to sting humans.

14 Benefits of using the Native Wasps a) Monitoring for EAB requires minimal effort and cost. Only single observer is need to watch a colony. b) Using a colony is a sustainable form of monitoring since the wasps are not harmed and nests do not need to be excavated. c) Cerceris fumipennis are harmless and are apparently unable to sting humans. X d) No negative impact on surrounding forests, unlike the use of detection trees. USDA

15 Benefits of using the Native Wasps a) Monitoring for EAB requires minimal effort and cost. Only single observer is need to watch a colony. b) Using a colony is a sustainable form of monitoring since the wasps are not harmed and nests do not need to be excavated. c) Cerceris fumipennis are harmless and are apparently unable to sting humans. d) No negative impact on surrounding forests unlike the use of detection trees. e) These wasp colonies are already established and operating.

16 Colonies Monitored in 2007 Colonies catching EAB Colonies without EAB The above Cerceris fumipennis colonies were monitored during July and August of 2007.

17 Summer 2007 In addition to continuing with behaviour observations two new projects were implemented during the summer of ) Calculation of the wasp s foraging range. How large an area is being surveyed by a colony of Cerceris fumipennis? Google Earth

18 Summer 2007 In addition to continuing with behaviour observations two new projects were implemented during the summer of ) Calculation of the wasp s foraging range. How large an area is being surveyed by a colony of Cerceris fumipennis? Google Earth 2) Experimentation with transplant and mobile colonies. Such colonies are necessary for areas where there are currently no naturally established colonies.

19 It is likely that researching Cerceris fumipennis will result in the establishment of low-cost monitoring sites for a serious invasive alien pest. Developing C. fumipennis as a tool for monitoring buprestids may also contribute to our ability to detect future invasive species. While not yet the silver bullet need to solve the EAB surveying problem, C. fumipennis is an effective tool that should be utilized.

20 How to find your Colonies 1) Check for specimens in your university and museum collections. 2) In June and July visit the sites from the specimen location labels. 3) Look for open places with hard packed sandy soil. For example around fire pits, road sides, parking areas, footpaths, ball diamonds, sports fields, campsites, etc.

21 How to find your Colonies 1) Check for specimens in your university and museum collections. 2) In June and July visit the sites from the specimen location labels. 3) Look for open places with hard packed sandy soil. For example around fire pits, road sides, parking areas, footpaths, ball diamonds, sports fields, campsites, etc. 4) Search these open areas for burrows surrounded by excavated soil. If the day is sunny you should see wasps coming and going from the mounds. 6) Contact me at for an expanded PDF on how and where to look.

22 Acknowledgments Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Ken Marchant University of Guelph: Dr. Gard Otis, Dave Cheung and the Insect Systematics Lab Halton Region Conservation Authority: Dr. Dolf Dejong Rondeau Provincial Park: Rick Hornsby, Emily Slavik and Sandy Dobbyn Wheatly Provincial Park: Ross Hart, Jim Wigle and Ken Dawson Bronte Creek Provincial Park: Dave Boddington Port Burwell Provincial Park: Keith Early Normandale Fish Hatchery: Paul Malcomson Canadian Wildlife Service: Dr. Dave Moore Scouts Canada: Mark Purcell Walpole First Nations: Clint Jacobs City of Windsor: Marc Edwards, Paul Pratt