A mark-recapture technique for the Dutch elm disease vector the native elm bark beetle, Hylurgopinus rufipes (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract

Six mark-recapture experiments were conducted in Manitoba, Canada, to determine the effectiveness of fluorescent powder to mark emerging native elm bark beetle adults, Hylurgopinus rufipes (Eichoff) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), the vector of Dutch elm disease, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi (Brazier), after departure from overwintering sites in spring and emergence from broodwood in summer. Native elm bark beetles marked themselves on emergence from overwintering sites and summer trap logs. The spring and summer periods of flight activity for unmarked and marked beetles were similar. Marked beetles were captured over 1 month after peak emergence in the spring and 2 months after emergence from trap logs in the summer. Marked beetles were captured up to 1 km (0.6 mi) from release sites. Where integrated Dutch elm disease management activities are implemented in buffer zones to minimize the number of elm bark beetles entering community urban forests, buffer zones should be a minimum of 1 km (0.6 mi) in width. © 2008 International Society of Arboriculture.