The genus Anoplophora includes 52 species, of which three are known to be invasive and a fourth has recently been identified as a potential international high-risk invasive. One species, the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)), has been called one of the 100 worst global invasive species. Here, we present an overview of available information regarding members of the genus Anoplophora at risk of spreading beyond their native ranges, including summaries of their ecology, economic impacts, management, and taxonomy, with an emphasis on information that has been made available in the last decade. This updated review shows that since the revision of the genus by Lingafelter and Hoebeke (2002) the number of recognized species has increased from 36 to 52, and we have a wealth of new information on the invasion history, phenology of the high-risk species, knowledge of pheromones, assessments of host-range, and the exploration of trapping methods. Efforts have been made to identify potentially useful natural enemies to help manage invasive populations if eradication efforts are unsuccessful. The species of Anoplophora that have established outside their native range have native distributions that cover larger geographic areas and feed on more tree species from multiple genera than do the species that have not dispersed internationally. While infestations of A. glabripennis continue to be detected and the risk of significant ecological and economic impacts remains high, limited economic information has been developed, and methods for management have changed little since the first detections of A. glabripennis outside its native range in New York, U.S. in 1996. Many research gaps remain for the invasive species of Anoplophora and more information on the other Anoplophora species is needed to prevent their movement and improve early detection.

Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that primarily infests Acer rubrum L. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) in North America. The first signs of infestation in a host tree are oviposition pits indicating female beetles have attempted to place eggs in the phloem; however, the presence of oviposition pits does not always guarantee the presence and survival of eggs or larvae, and little is known about the relative success of beetle oviposition. To better understand A. glabripennis oviposition and early larval survival, we infested A. rubrum in a common garden environment. We conducted daily observations and destructively harvested these trees to analyze oviposition pit occupation, egg viability, and early larval survival, and compared patterns of oviposition success and survival with field-collected material from naturally infested host trees in the surrounding environment. Oviposition pits on field-collected material were also examined to explore potential links between host tree characteristics and A. glabripennis oviposition success. Our results support previous findings that fecundity is highly variable among individuals, that A. glabripennis oviposition pits were most commonly observed on host material with intermediate sized diameters (6 to 15 cm) and textured bark, and oviposition pits were often chewed without depositing an egg. Oviposition pit occupation, egg viability, and early larval survival were significantly lower on host trees in the common garden environment relative to naturally infested field material. Understanding oviposition and early survival and how host tree characteristics can impact fecundity can help improve detection and more efficiently utilize resources dedicated to invasive species management.

Invasive populations of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) threaten forested systems across the globe. Eradication programs in North America can span hundreds of square kilometers, yet eradication efforts are carried out at the individual tree or stand scale. An A. glabripennis infestation was discovered in South Carolina in 2020; within this landscape, a small island was found on which 85% of A. glabripennis host trees were infested. The removal of all infested trees from the island in 2021 provided an opportunity to use this discrete population as a natural microcosm in which the spatial locations for the 14,615 oviposition sites and 1,611 exit holes in the population were documented. Data show A. glabripennis population growth rates varied substantially among individual trees. At the scale of the island, beetle density increased exponentially over time, while the number of infested trees on the island increased at a more moderate rate. The spatial and temporal patterns suggest several causal mechanisms and highlight the need for additional studies including the potential that female preference drives variation among host tree preference and beetle performance. The severity of the A. glabripennis infestation within trees was an inconsistent predictor of the age of an infestation, which is a key assumption used in landscape scale models of A. glabripennis dispersal. However, overall differences between predicted A. glabripennis movement and behavior were similar to that predicted from current risk models, supporting the utility of the landscape scale reconstructions currently used to model A. glabripennis spread and risk.

Historically, spider management has received relatively little attention in the literature compared to insect pests, and few studies have examined the efficacy of chemical management strategies on orb weaver mortality and web site fidelity. However, the introduction and rapid spread of the Jorō spider, Trichonephila clavata (L. Koch, 1878; Araneae: Araneidae), in North America has created a wave of media and public awareness. Characterized by its large size, bright coloration, dense aggregations, and durable webs, this species has garnered concern from residents who wish to manage this pest. Internet-based advice ranges from using products labeled for arthropod control to common products around the home. Our study evaluated spider mortality from eleven separate products and two control treatments (water and no treatment at all). High doses of pyrethroid pesticides or essential oil and detergent-based pesticides were highly effective in killing T. clavata. Although spraying foaming dish soap and machine lubricant also led to high mortality rates, we do not condone the use of products outside of their registered label use. We also evaluated several products that did not cause high mortality for their potential to cause T. clavata to abandon their webs-a result that may be just as desirable for residents-though none of these products led to high rates of web abandonment. We strongly recommend that property managers carefully weigh the pros and cons and safety aspects of different management strategies (including mechanical management) and assess whether T. clavata management is warranted in the first place.

General understanding of disease epiphytotics caused by introduced agents (pathogens) in forest systems, as well as the ability to assess risk of future introductions within a process-barrier framework of biological invasion, are impeded by a lack of systematically compiled information on origins and functional traits of pathogens that have become established outside their range. To address these gaps, substantially update previous registries, and provide critical biosecurity information, we assembled a list of established forest phytopathogens that are present, but not thought to be native in the continental United States (CONUS), Canada, and the Hawaiian islands under working hypotheses of their origins. We restricted the present list to phytopathogens that cause disease on native tree or woody shrub species, excluding the larger number of species of non-native phytopathogens of trees that are exclusive to agricultural and horticultural species and landscapes which are already well-represented in pest databases (e.g., CABI, EPPO, APHIS, etc.). We used previous databases as a scaffold and supplemented those lists with additional taxa by cross-referencing with lists of forest pathogens and hypothetical origins for other regions (Australia and Europe) as well as by reviewing taxonomic, host, and distribution history of pathogen species that have been recorded in both the study area (CONUS-Canada-Hawaii) and at least one other continent. For each of the 93 species in our database, we provide a relational database of a) taxonomic information, b) invasion status in each region, c) first year on record in each region, d) working hypotheses of original range (where possible), e) traits including disease type and name, dispersal mode, and organs and host life stages infected, f) major hosts, g) and > 7,000 chronological records of potential location-year and host-location-year combinations for each pathogen. We also provide a reference-annotated classification system for types of evidence for first years (c), original ranges (d), and major hosts (f). This represents a significant expansion of our knowledge of non-native infectious microorganisms of forest trees compared to previous registries, particularly in terms of its comprehensiveness, precision, and accuracy of information that includes a way to assess and compare the level of uncertainty associated with key information.

Assessing the spatial distribution of invasive species is a critical component for establishing baselines to examine the rate of spread, documenting key areas where negative impacts on ecosystems can be mitigated, and developing sustainable management strategies. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne.; PC) is a rapidly spreading invasive woody plant species in the eastern United States (U.S.). The incursion of these wild-type trees into urban, peri-urban, and rural landscapes, which have escaped from transplanted clonal cultivars, poses complex management challenges for land managers and hampers ecosystem function by competing with native plant species and altering the forest environment. We integrated winter season multispectral (Sentinel-2) and radar (Sentinel-1 and L-band) imageries with static terrain imagery to map PC distribution in four southeastern U.S. states. From these imageries, we derived spectral, textural, and elevational indices and used them with field-collected PC locations for training random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers in Google Earth Engine. We also created four scenarios to sequentially add and determine the usefulness of input data in classifying PC. The scenario comprising all the imageries plus their derived indices was most accurate for RF (Accuracy [Low CI, Upper CI] = 92.6% [90.62, 94.34]) and SVM (89.6% [87.45, 92.00]), with the terrain and L-band radar indices identified as the most important inputs for discriminating PC from other classes. Accuracy increased by 10.5% for RF and 5.2% for SVM for the best scenario compared to using bands and derived indices from Sentinel-2 imagery alone. Our final classification model identified a relatively greater PC spread in the northeastern part of our study area, eastern Tennessee. Combining L-band radar in classification scenarios enhanced PC classification. Our approach demonstrates the utility of several remote sensing images in mapping and monitoring the distribution of invasive plant species on a large scale.

The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is an invasive woodboring beetle present in several areas in North America. The typical management strategy for this pest involves eradicating incipient A . glabripennis populations from a detected area by removing all infested and high-risk hosts, and therefore, all beetles. While effective, this method may not work in all areas, particularly those that are perpetually wet or swampy and where access for tree removal is limited. Biological control may be a viable and complimentary management strategy in these areas, as natural enemies act on a landscape scale rather than individual trees. Recently, a native parasitoid, Ontsira mellipes Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), was found parasitizing A . glabripennis and shows effective host-finding behavior under controlled conditions. The active A . glabripennis infestation in South Carolina, U.S. provides an opportunity to conduct the first field validation of the ability of O. mellipes to find and use A . glabripennis as a host. Adult O. mellipes were released on several trees infested with A . glabripennis in the South Carolina quarantine zone in summer 2023, and after 3 weeks trees were destructively sampled. Two A . glabripennis larvae were found to be attacked by O. mellipes , a result confirmed by DNA sequencing. This represents the first field validation that laboratory-reared O. mellipes can and will attack and use wild A . glabripennis as hosts. While additional research is needed to identify optimal release timing, and to determine the efficacy of O. mellipes as a biological control agent, these results suggest this strategy may be a useful supplement to the current A . glabripennis management strategy.

Forested wetlands support diverse biota and provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Archips goyerana Kruse (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a native pest that defoliates baldcypress (Taxodium distichum var. distichum (L.) Rich.; Cupressaceae) and pondcypress (Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium (Nuttall); Croom), 2 keystone trees throughout forested wetlands of the southeastern United States. Outbreaks of the A. goyerana have been isolated to southeastern Louisiana, where they have caused reduced growth, crown dieback, and limited tree death. However, aerial detection surveys indicated that severe defoliation by A. goyerana has been affecting wetlands further east within the region. Given the possibility of expanding outbreaks, it is important to understand the timing of A. goyerana activity, duration of the flight period, and efficacy of different trap types to guide survey efforts. We deployed traps in a paired design, one bucket trap and one delta trap, each baited with synthetic A. goyerana sex pheromone at 30 sites throughout the range of baldcypress. Over 2 field seasons, we checked traps weekly and quantified the number of A. goyerana caught per trap type, ability of each trap type to detect a single moth (trap sensitivity), and growing degree days, using a base temperature of 5 °C accumulated at the onset, peak, and cessation of the flight period. We found that delta traps caught more moths but sensitivity of traps was equal between the 2 trap types. Analyses of phenology indicated that A. goyerana flight occurred between ~1,000 and 1,600 growing degree days. Optimizing trapping practices for A. goyerana may improve detection of endemic populations and help identify areas potentially at risk of experiencing outbreaks.

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), is a polyphagous woodboring beetle that infests and damages hardwood host trees in Asia, Europe, and North America. Native to China and the Korean peninsula, ALB is invasive in both North America and Europe. Due to the large environmental and economic impacts associated with ALB, much effort has been placed on its management and eradication from invaded areas. Eradication programs consist of visual surveys, regulatory quarantines, host removal, public outreach and education, and in some cases, insecticides. Host removal is effective but is laborious and costly, and while insecticides have been useful as a component of some eradication programs, they can be expensive, ineffective, and environmentally detrimental. Thus, several arthropod biological control agents (BCAs) have been evaluated which could support a more environmentally friendly management strategy to supplement traditional ALB management tactics. Here, we review the biological control strategy for ALB, including the exploration within the native and invaded ranges of the pest, to find potential arthropod BCAs. We discuss the ecological premise behind the method as well as the potential for its success, and we identify knowledge gaps and future considerations for the enactment of this method. While biological control shows promise, care will be needed in utilizing this method, and further research must explore the success of BCAs in field settings.

Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky is an invasive woodboring beetle in North America and Europe that threatens a broad range of tree genera. Eradication is a costly and time-consuming process that requires visual surveys to detect beetle damage on host trees. Knowing the distribution of beetle damage within trees could directly benefit survey efforts by focusing surveys on high-risk areas and indirectly by identifying habitat factors that structure beetle populations. In the A. glabripennis infestation in South Carolina, we identified an isolated and actively growing subpopulation on an island that had not fully occupied the available host trees. With host resources still abundant for the beetle, the distribution of oviposition pits and exit holes is expected to be the result of habitat preference and (in the case of exit holes) larval performance. We examined the distribution of eggs and emerging adults by cataloging the >14,000 oviposition sites and >1,400 exit holes distributed among the 33 infested and uninfested host trees on the island, documenting the stem height, diameter, surface area, and bark thickness for all damage. Oviposition pits and exit holes were neither randomly nor evenly distributed within tree canopies; however, the distribution of available habitat (ie stem space within the canopy) seemed to drive most of the distribution, and the presence of damage was biased toward larger/taller trees. These results suggest some preference in egg placement with regard to canopy height, stem diameter, and bark thickness within canopies, but the responses are subtle and may have limited utility in guiding visual surveys.

Arachnophobia is a widespread phenomenon, despite the fact that the vast majority of spiders pose no meaningful threat to people. The introduction and spread of an invasive spider (Trichonephila clavata L. Koch, 1878) to the United States has prompted questions about whether it should be considered dangerous. These questions are particularly relevant because the spider is large, builds webs on and near human structures, and has been documented to consume small vertebrate prey. To understand the realistic threat this species represents, we examined spider-human interactions in the field with escalating levels of contact intensity. During these interactions, spiders primarily moved to avoid human contact, and bites were incredibly rare, mainly occurring when spiders were forcibly restrained. To assess the medical significance of a bite by T. clavata, we conducted what we believe to be the first controlled study of spider bites. Spiders were induced to bite volunteers under controlled laboratory conditions while supervised by medical staff. Subjects who were bitten reported reliably low levels of pain and only localized physical symptoms (eg redness and swelling) that attenuated quickly. It is clear that this spider is unlikely to bite someone who encounters it in nature, and the symptoms are minor and fleeting in the event of a bite. Although T. clavata is spreading quickly in the United States, the risk of its bite or resulting symptoms should not be cause for fear.

Pyrus calleryana (Callery Pear) is a non-native tree listed as invasive in 17 US states. Despite Callery Pear's early and prolific flowering and widespread distribution, as well as the crucial role of pollinators in the reproduction and spread of invasive flora, little research exists examining the pollinator community that uses Callery Pear. We collected and identified pollinators from mature, wild Callery Pear trees in upstate South Carolina using sweep nets and white, blue, and yellow bowl traps. We identified 876 insects representing 18 families from 4 orders (Diptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera). The most common genera identified were Toxomerus, Andrena, Apis, Osmia, and Lasioglossum. Our results list the pollinator community visiting Callery Pear flowers and suggest future research to investigate the implications for strategies to manage invasive plants.

A new population of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky), an invasive species in North America since 1996, was discovered in Charleston County, South Carolina, in 2020. This population is the furthest south Asian longhorned beetle has established in North America. Previous models only estimate development time at this latitude; as such, we examined Asian longhorned beetle phenology in this novel climate. Over 24 consecutive months, we collected 153 eggs, 878 larvae, 37 pupae, and 1 unemerged adult (1,009 total specimens) from the federal quarantine zone in South Carolina and used larval head capsule width to determine development rate and voltinism. The presence of Asian longhorned beetle adults was determined via visual field observations. Asian longhorned beetle in South Carolina appears to have a synchronous univoltine life cycle, in contrast to populations in the northern United States and Canada that typically develop in 2-3 yr. This information will be useful for future model development to determine Asian longhorned beetle life cycles, for implementing novel management methods, and will aid in predictions to benefit visual survey efficacy.

The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (ALB, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a federally regulated invasive species capable of infesting several different genera of hardwood trees. Accurate knowledge of ALB's phenology is critical for the effective implementation of management and eradication plans. We updated the ALBLT prediction model and used empirical data collected in South Carolina, USA to validate ALBLT v. 2.0. The new model largely agreed with ALB life stages found in field collections, except for late instars and pupae. We also ran the model at 8 other potentially high-risk cities in the contiguous United States with latitudes ranging from 28 degrees N (Tampa, FL) to 41 degrees N (Chicago, IL) to predict how long a single ALB generation might take to develop in these environments. Model predictions ranged from a 2-3-yr lifecycle in Chicago to a potential life cycle of < 1 yr in Tampa. These predictions can help inform managers and invasive species specialists should ALB be found in new environments, and these data can aid in developing an adequate management and eradication plan.

Callery pear ( Pyrus calleryana Decne.) is a problematic woody invasive plant in eastern North America that invades old fields, forests, and disturbed sites. While management guidance typically suggests foliar, basal bark, cut stump, and hack-and-squirt applications of herbicides for P. calleryana , there is a dearth of studies focusing on the efficacy of specific treatments. We evaluated seven herbicide treatments for control of midstory P. calleryana . Cut stump and hack-and-squirt applications of glyphosate, imazapyr, and triclopyr and a soil application of hexazinone were repeated at six sites within Georgia, Kansas, and South Carolina, and all study trees were monitored for approximately 1 yr after herbicide application. Cut stump applications of glyphosate (478.73 g L -1 ), imazapyr (22.47 g L -1 ), and triclopyr (343.90 g L -1 ) provided the most consistent control with no resprouting and 100% mortality. Hack-and-squirt applications of glyphosate and triclopyr resulted in approximately 80% probability of mortality 1 yr after treatment, while hack-and-squirt application of imazapyr and soil application of hexazinone (287.58 g ai L -1 ) averaged only 20% and 25% probability of mortality, respectively. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of seven treatment options for P. calleryana control in three geographic locations with varied habitat types, and our data suggest that cut stump applications of glyphosate, imazapyr, or triclopyr or hack-and-squirt application of glyphosate or triclopyr may be useful for reducing populations of P. calleryana. that have grown past the sapling stage.

The Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana, is primarily a pest of young pines (Pinus L.) in the southern United States and parts of Central America. Feeding damage can result in terminal mortality, stunted tree growth, and occasional tree death. Further, long-term impacts of Nantucket pine tip moth feeding can lead to persistent growth reductions throughout the entire harvest rotation; however, there is a dearth of new research on Nantucket pine tip moth-especially economic impacts-over the last several decades, and information is lacking regarding the economic impact of Nantucket pine tip moth damage over an entire stand rotation. To address this issue, we evaluated the economic impact of Nantucket pine tip moth feeding in a loblolly pine stand in North Carolina over a 23-yr harvest rotation. Our economic analysis suggested that under the right circumstances, Nantucket pine tip moth control could be economically worthwhile-but this would depend on several extrinsic factors, including site index, tree growth rate, market value of the products, and the cost of management activities. The need to manage Nantucket pine tip moth currently varies both spatially and temporally, and our data shows that this stochasticity will likely persist throughout the harvest rotation, and that Nantucket pine tip moth treatment should be carefully considered on a site-by-site basis.

Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian Longhorned Beetle [ALB]), is an invasive woodboring beetle present in 4 states in the continental US. In May 2020, the southernmost ALB infestation was discovered near Hollywood, SC. Current eradication efforts focus on host removal, but it is often difficult or impossible to get equipment into wet or ecologically sensitive areas. Biological control may be an economically and ecologically advantageous component of a management strategy in the ongoing efforts to eradicate ALB. Thus, we conducted a survey of potential native or naturalized parasitoids and predators by collecting material infested with ALB and removing and inspecting the eggs and larvae. We also deployed sentinel logs to further determine parasitism rates in the field. None of the ALB eggs (n = 77) or larvae (n = 254) extracted from infested material (n = 89) and sentinel logs (n = 165) were parasitized by parasitoids. Generalist predators were observed but caused very low rates of predation (<1%). Overall, our study suggests that natural populations of parasitoids do not appear to be sufficient for managing ALB in South Carolina at this time.

Ips bark beetles (Ips species; Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) play an important role in forest ecosystems by attacking injured, stressed, or dying pine (Pinus) trees. Management of Ips bark beetles has largely focused on prevention by maintaining tree health through silvicultural treatments including thinning to reduce basal area or prescribed fire. However, there is conflicting evidence of whether prescribed fire leads to increased bark beetle populations and, subsequently, increased tree mortality. Recent outbreaks of Ips bark beetles in the southeastern U.S. have caused renewed interest in the interactions between pine management and bark beetle populations. We monitored Ips populations following prescribed fire in intensively managed pine stands and quantified Ips damage. We captured over 361,000 Ips bark beetles with I. avulsus being the most abundant of the three species collected. While we found high variation among Ips populations across study sites and years, there was a significant increase in bark beetle populations after prescribed fire followed by a significant decline the next year. While Ips populations increased up to three-fold after prescribed burns, damage ratings in burned stands were no different than unburned stands which had significantly lower bark beetle populations. Unburned stands had higher basal area and a higher average tree damage rating, but the lowest number of Ips bark beetles. A total of 14,071 facultative (e.g., Monochamus = 9775) and obligate (e.g., Thanasimus dubius = 4296) predators were collected during the study across all sites and the ratio of predators:Ips also significantly increased following prescribed fire. These data suggest that while Ips are ubiquitous and abundant in pine forests being managed with prescribed fire, natural mechanisms such as predator activity mediate their overall damage and impact to southeastern pine stands.

Although Eucalyptus is widely planted outside its native range for timber and pulp production, the effects of these exotic plantations on biodiversity relative to native semi-natural forests or plantations of native tree species remain incompletely understood. Here, we compare the diversity of saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) and true bugs (Hemiptera) between non-native Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden and Cambage (Camden white gum) and native Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) stands on the upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina, U.S.A. We sampled insects emerging from logs of both species placed in both stand types after 1, 2, 6, and 12 months in the field. Beetle and true bug richness and diversity were both significantly lower from eucalypt than from pine wood. Moreover, the two communities were compositionally distinct. Whereas pine supported many species of host-specific phloeoxylophagous beetles, most species collected from eucalypts were mycophagous or predatory taxa capable of utilizing a wide range of hosts. Species richness did not differ between logs placed in eucalypt vs. pine stands but Shannon’s diversity was significantly higher in the eucalypt stands, possibly due to greater sun exposure in the latter. Contrary to a previous study, we found no support for the idea that eucalypt litter reduces the diversity of saproxylic insects. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that non-native plantations are less favorable to biodiversity than those consisting of native tree species.

Altered temperature and precipitation normals and extremes affect disturbance agents, including windstorms, wildfires, insects and diseases, and sea level rise (SLR). Extreme events are projected to increase in frequency by more than an order of magnitude. Increasing storm intensity is impacting previously unaffected regions as tropical cyclones migrate farther north in the northern hemisphere. Climate change alters annual fire frequency, with increased intensity, lengthening the fire season and the area burned. More frequent extreme weather and drought increase the danger of severe wildfire seasons and mega-fires. A warming climate accelerates insect development and survival, expanding the true or outbreak range of species in boreal and temperate forests as evidenced by recent outbreaks of bark beetles and defoliators. Relative SLR increases the frequency and severity of coastal flooding and erosion and accelerates saltwater intrusion; extreme high tides that occurred once per century are projected to occur at least annually by 2100.