Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EMERALD (Preparing for invasion: novel techniques for early detection of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and discovering resistance traits in host plants.)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-10-01 do 2023-09-30
The problem being addressed in this research project, EMERALD, is the imminent threat of the emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis) to European ash (Fraxinus spp.) forests. This invasive insect, native to North America, is a major destructive pest of ash trees and has the potential to cause significant ecological and economic damage in Europe. The project aims to develop novel techniques for early detection of emerald ash borer and discover resistance traits in host plants to mitigate the impact of the invasion.
The importance to society is multifaceted. One, the conservation of the three European Ash species is of both ecological and economically importance. Euorpean ash (F. excelsior) serves as a keystone species in many ecosystems supporting dozens of other organisms in forests and these trees have significant commercial value in the wood products industry, particularly among furniture and tool handles. The invasion of emerald ash borer threatens the survival of these trees, and their decline can lead to extinction cascades of other species that rely on them. Two, ash decline in Euopre is already threatedn from a pathogen and a second invasive pest threatens a cascading effect on biodiversity, affecting all the organisms that rely on ash trees for their habitat needs. This research can help preserve biodiversity by mitigating the impact of emerald ash borer. Three, the economic impact is high in many parts of Euorpe where ash is a commonly planted street tree and can consist of high percentages of forest. The ash wood industry is economically significant further loss of these tree species is detrimental to the industry. Early detection and management of emerald ash borer can help reduce economic losses. Four, while traditional methods for detecting and managing invasive forest pests is important, they are often time-consuming and expensive. The development of rapid, DNA-based detection techniques can enhance the efficiency of early detection and monitoring the spread of EAB. Finally, understanding the mechanisms of resistance crucial, if we can deter or reduce the damage of EAB in ash trees then we can breed more resistant trees that creates a more sustainable and environmentally friendly methods to control EAB and reduces the need of pesticides.
The overall objectives of the EMERALD project can be summarized as follows:
1. Improve Early Detection for wood boring insects.
2. Enhance Trap Design with improved lures for EAB.
3. Characterize Host Plant Resistance of ash trees against EAB:
.
4. Promote Collaborative Research
Overall, the EMERALD project addresses a pressing issues with invasive pests and pathogens by combining a mixture of innovative techniques that are proactive from an early pest detection tool for immediate use to long term prospects of developing resistant plant lineages from host plant resistance research. The outcomes further the goal to protect European ash species, preserve biodiversity, protect forests and wood products industry, and improve the overall health of European forests.
The importance to society is multifaceted. One, the conservation of the three European Ash species is of both ecological and economically importance. Euorpean ash (F. excelsior) serves as a keystone species in many ecosystems supporting dozens of other organisms in forests and these trees have significant commercial value in the wood products industry, particularly among furniture and tool handles. The invasion of emerald ash borer threatens the survival of these trees, and their decline can lead to extinction cascades of other species that rely on them. Two, ash decline in Euopre is already threatedn from a pathogen and a second invasive pest threatens a cascading effect on biodiversity, affecting all the organisms that rely on ash trees for their habitat needs. This research can help preserve biodiversity by mitigating the impact of emerald ash borer. Three, the economic impact is high in many parts of Euorpe where ash is a commonly planted street tree and can consist of high percentages of forest. The ash wood industry is economically significant further loss of these tree species is detrimental to the industry. Early detection and management of emerald ash borer can help reduce economic losses. Four, while traditional methods for detecting and managing invasive forest pests is important, they are often time-consuming and expensive. The development of rapid, DNA-based detection techniques can enhance the efficiency of early detection and monitoring the spread of EAB. Finally, understanding the mechanisms of resistance crucial, if we can deter or reduce the damage of EAB in ash trees then we can breed more resistant trees that creates a more sustainable and environmentally friendly methods to control EAB and reduces the need of pesticides.
The overall objectives of the EMERALD project can be summarized as follows:
1. Improve Early Detection for wood boring insects.
2. Enhance Trap Design with improved lures for EAB.
3. Characterize Host Plant Resistance of ash trees against EAB:
.
4. Promote Collaborative Research
Overall, the EMERALD project addresses a pressing issues with invasive pests and pathogens by combining a mixture of innovative techniques that are proactive from an early pest detection tool for immediate use to long term prospects of developing resistant plant lineages from host plant resistance research. The outcomes further the goal to protect European ash species, preserve biodiversity, protect forests and wood products industry, and improve the overall health of European forests.
The overall objectives work finished of the EMERALD project can be summarized as follows:
1. Improve Early Detection for wood boring insects.
a. I optimized a novel molecular detection technique (loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP) to rapidly detect EAB for use in European forests and ports of entry. This technique is field-applicable, sensitive, and specific.
2. Enhance Trap Design with improved lures.
a. I collected volatile data that can be incorporated in trap lure design for EAB detection by using the volatile compounds that are attractive pheromones and/or plant volatile to EAB. The goal is to make traps more efficient in capturing the insects at early stages of invasion.
3. Characterize Host Plant Resistance:
a. I investigated the chemical defenses and volatile emissions of the three European ash species to understand how they may resist EAB attraction and performance. This work was done in a interaction with a deadly pathogen (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) of ash trees to understand EAB performs and ash trees response to the combination of both the pathogen and pest. This knowledge will help design better lures and breeding programs for resistant plant lineages.
4. Promote Collaborative Research:
a. I collaborated with prominent researchers to enhance the project's success and contribute to the field of forest entomology and biological invasion research. Including the following:
i. Travel to Italy to develop primers and collected insect specimen for specificity trials.
ii. Collaboration with researchers from France, Connecticut USA and Sault Ste. Marie, Canada to gather insect specimen for DNA specificity testing.
iii. Network and collaborate with Jordversket (Sweden) to gain approval of insect permits for research and disseminate methodology of primer set and use of the LAMP tool.
iv. USDA, Delaware collaboration for insect eggs for research.
v. Testing insect traps with colleagues in Sweden and Europe, Eurprhesco project.
vi. Frass detection with LAMP assay for another Euprhresco project
Overall, the EMERALD project addresses a pressing issues with invasive pests and pathogens by combining a mixture of innovative techniques that are proactive from an early pest detection tool for immediate use to long term prospects of developing resistant plant lineages from host plant resistance research. The outcomes further the goal to protect European ash species, preserve biodiversity, protect forests and wood products industry, and improve the overall health of European forests.
1. Improve Early Detection for wood boring insects.
a. I optimized a novel molecular detection technique (loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP) to rapidly detect EAB for use in European forests and ports of entry. This technique is field-applicable, sensitive, and specific.
2. Enhance Trap Design with improved lures.
a. I collected volatile data that can be incorporated in trap lure design for EAB detection by using the volatile compounds that are attractive pheromones and/or plant volatile to EAB. The goal is to make traps more efficient in capturing the insects at early stages of invasion.
3. Characterize Host Plant Resistance:
a. I investigated the chemical defenses and volatile emissions of the three European ash species to understand how they may resist EAB attraction and performance. This work was done in a interaction with a deadly pathogen (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) of ash trees to understand EAB performs and ash trees response to the combination of both the pathogen and pest. This knowledge will help design better lures and breeding programs for resistant plant lineages.
4. Promote Collaborative Research:
a. I collaborated with prominent researchers to enhance the project's success and contribute to the field of forest entomology and biological invasion research. Including the following:
i. Travel to Italy to develop primers and collected insect specimen for specificity trials.
ii. Collaboration with researchers from France, Connecticut USA and Sault Ste. Marie, Canada to gather insect specimen for DNA specificity testing.
iii. Network and collaborate with Jordversket (Sweden) to gain approval of insect permits for research and disseminate methodology of primer set and use of the LAMP tool.
iv. USDA, Delaware collaboration for insect eggs for research.
v. Testing insect traps with colleagues in Sweden and Europe, Eurprhesco project.
vi. Frass detection with LAMP assay for another Euprhresco project
Overall, the EMERALD project addresses a pressing issues with invasive pests and pathogens by combining a mixture of innovative techniques that are proactive from an early pest detection tool for immediate use to long term prospects of developing resistant plant lineages from host plant resistance research. The outcomes further the goal to protect European ash species, preserve biodiversity, protect forests and wood products industry, and improve the overall health of European forests.
This research provides novel data to the interaction of invasive insect pests and how their host trees chemically defend against them (WP1). These data can provide new insights into which traits or genes tree breeders should be selecting for in their tree breeding programs. Also, WP2 and WP3 provide new data on the feasibility of using LAMP assays in rural and urban environments in Europe and most importantly the ability to examine the movement and spread of the invasive insect EAB as it will eventually reach EU ash forests.
The wider socio-economic impact is the results have been implemented into policy making in particular with the standard diagnostic protocol for detection of EAB Agrilus planipennis (Peterson et al., 2023; “PM 7/154 (1) Agrilus planipennis,” 2023). Furthermore, EPPO stakeholders and linked agencies have including the LAMP research (WP2) into the standard diagnostic protocol for EAB detection. Finally, I have worked along the Jordbruksverket, The Swedish Board of Agriculture and presented the use of this tool as a diagnostic tool to detect woodboring insects.
The wider socio-economic impact is the results have been implemented into policy making in particular with the standard diagnostic protocol for detection of EAB Agrilus planipennis (Peterson et al., 2023; “PM 7/154 (1) Agrilus planipennis,” 2023). Furthermore, EPPO stakeholders and linked agencies have including the LAMP research (WP2) into the standard diagnostic protocol for EAB detection. Finally, I have worked along the Jordbruksverket, The Swedish Board of Agriculture and presented the use of this tool as a diagnostic tool to detect woodboring insects.