Flatheaded Borer SCRI Proposal Summary
This project will improve management of flatheaded borers (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in the genus Chrysobothris. Flatheaded borers are serious pests of nursery, tree nut and fruit crops. These crops are vitally important to the economy, accounting for millions of jobs and billions of dollars in regional economic impacts. The Chrysobothris species of concern are native and found across the United States. Females lay eggs in the trunks of trees and larvae feed on the vascular tissue, disrupting water and nutrient movement. Attacks cause trunk scars, bark shedding and splits, suckering, sap leakage, crown dieback, and tree death. This project will engage a team of experts to address borer management concerns that cross commodities and geographical regions. The proposal will address: which Chrysobothris species are present in specialty crops (Objective 1), when and how females infest crop fields (Objective 2), how growers can better monitor borers in their fields (Objective 3), the role production conditions play in promoting attacks and how those conditions can be mitigated (Objective 4), the most effective chemical and biological tools against borers in different production systems (Objective 5), and tools allowing growers to select control methods that will maximize their profits while also meeting consumer preferences and market demands (Objective 6). Experiments will be conducted in nursery and orchard settings in order to develop management recommendations for flatheaded borers across all effected commodities. This project supports the goals of SCRI by addressing threats from pests, improving production efficiency and incorporating new technology into borer management.
Objective 1. Develop molecular diagnostic resources to enable differentiation of key Chrysobothris species.
Hypothesis: NextGen genome sequencing can be employed to improve identification of Chrysobothris species, including members of the C. femorata species group.
Practical Purpose: Knowledge of key pest borer species in cropping systems is critical for providing accurate management recommendations.
Hypothesis: NextGen genome sequencing can be employed to improve identification of Chrysobothris species, including members of the C. femorata species group.
Practical Purpose: Knowledge of key pest borer species in cropping systems is critical for providing accurate management recommendations.
Objective 2. Life history traits of key Chrysobothris species.
Hypothesis: Chrysobothris life history and ecology in different tree and fruit crops can be used to improve borer management.
Practical Purpose: Adult and larval activity patterns of pest FB species in cropping systems are essential for developing effective management recommendations.
Hypothesis: Chrysobothris life history and ecology in different tree and fruit crops can be used to improve borer management.
Practical Purpose: Adult and larval activity patterns of pest FB species in cropping systems are essential for developing effective management recommendations.
Objective 3. Develop reliable adult trapping methods for population monitoring and management.
Hypothesis: Tools and methods developed specifically for adult Chrysobothris will provide information on diurnal activity to better time insecticide sprays and improve trap captures.
Practical Purpose: Improved trapping tools will provide opportunities to suppress adult population consequently reducing potential infestation levels and improve monitoring protocols that can enhance successful pest management.
Hypothesis: Tools and methods developed specifically for adult Chrysobothris will provide information on diurnal activity to better time insecticide sprays and improve trap captures.
Practical Purpose: Improved trapping tools will provide opportunities to suppress adult population consequently reducing potential infestation levels and improve monitoring protocols that can enhance successful pest management.
Objective 4. Identify production practices that reduce Chrysobothris attacks.
Hypothesis: Maximizing plant health will reduce Chrysobothris attacks.
Practical Purpose: In order to develop BMPs for FB management, we need to know what causes FB attacks in different specialty crop systems.
Hypothesis: Maximizing plant health will reduce Chrysobothris attacks.
Practical Purpose: In order to develop BMPs for FB management, we need to know what causes FB attacks in different specialty crop systems.
Objective 5. Develop effective chemical and biological management strategies for Chrysobothris.
Hypothesis: Identification of optimal active ingredients, application timing and rates will improve treatment efficacy and reduce the overall number of pesticide applications.
Practical Purpose: There is an acute need for more effective treatment options for FBs in all production systems.
Hypothesis: Identification of optimal active ingredients, application timing and rates will improve treatment efficacy and reduce the overall number of pesticide applications.
Practical Purpose: There is an acute need for more effective treatment options for FBs in all production systems.
Objective 6. Address the economics of Chrysobothris management from producer and consumer perspectives.
Hypothesis: Methods for borer control need to be identified and selected that will be profit maximizing for growers and also meet consumer preferences and market demands for treated products.
Practical Purpose: Growers need tools to help them with the decision making regarding which FB practice is most profitable given costs of adoption and price differentials consumers may pay for products grown with the FB management practices.
Hypothesis: Methods for borer control need to be identified and selected that will be profit maximizing for growers and also meet consumer preferences and market demands for treated products.
Practical Purpose: Growers need tools to help them with the decision making regarding which FB practice is most profitable given costs of adoption and price differentials consumers may pay for products grown with the FB management practices.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crop Research Initiative under award number 2020-51181-32199. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Last Updated April 2022.
