The Potential Risk Posed by Emerald Ash Borer to Cultivated and Wild Olive Trees

Abstract

Emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is an Asian woodborer that is a destructive pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees throughout North America and in parts of Asia and Europe. It has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees worldwide in the past two decades and has shown some ability to infest novel hosts, most notably white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L.). Here, I review the evidence that this beetle can succeed on cultivated olive (Olea europaea L), a close relative of white fringetree. Studies and observations thus far indicate that, while young trees are largely resistant to EAB larval development, adults will oviposit on olive trees, can feed on their foliage and produce viable eggs, and that larger, older and possibly stressed trees have the potential to support larval development to the adult stage in the field. Emerald ash borer will soon interact with cultivated olive trees in the wild in parts of the U.S. and in Europe, and the realized risk to olives by this beetle will be revealed.