Emerald-ash-borer
Guides
Agrilini
Agrilini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, subfamily Agrilinae. The tribe comprises at least 40 described genera and over 180 described species, distributed across multiple subtribes including Agrilina, Amorphosternina, Amyiina, and Rhaeboscelidina. The genus Agrilus, the largest genus in the tribe, contains numerous species including several significant forest pests such as the emerald ash borer (A. planipennis).
Arachnospila fumipennis
smoky-winged beetle bandit
Arachnospila fumipennis is a solitary ground-nesting spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, widely known under its former name Cerceris fumipennis. The species has gained significant attention as a biosurveillance tool for detecting emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and other Buprestidae beetles. Females construct nests in sandy, well-packed soil and provision them with paralyzed beetles as food for their larvae. The species is notable for its highly specialized prey preference, though it occasionally captures non-buprestid prey.
Atanycolus
Atanycolus is a genus of braconid wasps comprising over 70 described species distributed worldwide. Species in this genus are parasitoids of wood-boring beetles, primarily targeting larvae in families Buprestidae (jewel beetles) and Curculionidae (weevils). Several species have been documented as natural enemies of invasive pests, including the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). The genus has been recovered from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Atanycolus cappaerti
Atanycolus cappaerti is a North American braconid wasp that parasitizes larvae of the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). The species was described in 2009 and has been studied for its potential as a native biological control agent against this destructive forest pest. It is one of several native parasitoids that may be adapting to exploit the emerald ash borer as a host in invaded areas.
Balcha
Balcha is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eupelmidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). The genus comprises 16 described species worldwide, including eight newly described species and two newly combined species. Members are ectoparasitoids of wood-boring beetles, with Balcha indica notable as an accidental introduction to North America where it attacks the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).
Balcha indica
Balcha indica is a solitary ectoparasitoid wasp in the family Eupelmidae, native to Asia and accidentally introduced to North America. It attacks larvae, prepupae, and pupae of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), an invasive wood-boring beetle threatening ash trees. Under laboratory conditions, the species exhibits extended adult longevity (mean 59 days, maximum 117 days) and reproduces via thelytokous parthenogenesis. Development from egg to adult takes approximately 83 days at 25°C, suggesting one to two generations per year in temperate North American regions. The species has been recovered from field surveys in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ontario, Virginia, and West Virginia, where it functions as an adventitious biological control agent of this invasive pest.
Ceratomia
Ceratomia is a genus of hawkmoths (family Sphingidae) erected by Thaddeus William Harris in 1839. The genus contains seven recognized species distributed primarily in North America. Several species are notable for their specialized host plant associations, particularly with Catalpa and Fraxinus (ash). Ceratomia catalpae, the catalpa sphinx, is among the best-studied species due to its chemical sequestration of the iridoid glycoside catalpol from host plants, which provides defense against predators but not against its specialist parasitoid Cotesia congregata. Ceratomia undulosa, the waved sphinx, is an ash specialist whose populations are threatened by emerald ash borer-induced host decline.
Ceratomia undulosa
Waved Sphinx, Scorpion Moth
Ceratomia undulosa, commonly known as the waved sphinx, is a North American hawk moth (family Sphingidae) first described by Francis Walker in 1856. The species is notable for its specialized relationship with ash trees (Fraxinus) as a primary larval host, making it vulnerable to population declines following the spread of the emerald ash borer. Adults are strictly nocturnal and hide before dawn. The alternative common name "Scorpion Moth" stems from a misconception: the Guiana Striped Scorpion commonly preys on the moth's egg clusters, leading to erroneous beliefs that the moths give birth to scorpions.
Cerceris fumipennis
Smoky-winged Beetle Bandit Wasp
Cerceris fumipennis is a solitary, ground-nesting wasp and the only buprestid-hunting member of family Crabronidae in eastern North America. Females construct subterranean nests in hard-packed sandy soil and provision them exclusively with paralyzed jewel beetles (Buprestidae). The wasp has become a valuable biosurveillance tool for detecting the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), as it efficiently locates and captures these beetles from distances up to 2 km from its nest. Citizen science programs known as "WaspWatchers" monitor wasp colonies to survey for pest beetles.
Oobius
Oobius is a genus of parasitic non-stinging wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Species are specialized egg parasitoids of wood-boring beetles, particularly in the family Buprestidae (jewel beetles) and Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles). The genus has gained significant attention due to the use of O. agrili as a biological control agent against the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in North America. Oobius species are small, morphologically cryptic wasps that are often distinguished by subtle differences in antennal structure and tarsomere count. Several species exhibit parthenogenetic reproduction and undergo diapause to synchronize their life cycles with host availability.
Oobius agrili
Oob
Oobius agrili is a tiny, solitary egg parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, native to Northeast Asia. It is the only egg parasitoid released for biological control of the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in North America, where it has been introduced in over 31 US states. The species is parthenogenic, produces multiple generations annually, and achieves partial phenological synchrony with its host's egg-laying period. Individual females can parasitize more than 60 host eggs, with field parasitism rates reaching 60% in optimal conditions.
Phasgonophora
Phasgonophora is a genus of chalcidid wasps in the family Chalcididae, with at least two described species: Phasgonophora sulcata and Phasgonophora rugithorax. Members of this genus are solitary endoparasitoids of woodboring beetle larvae. Phasgonophora sulcata, the better-studied species, is native to North America and has been documented attacking Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer) as a novel host, as well as Agrilus bilineatus (twolined chestnut borer). The genus has gained attention for its potential role in biological control of invasive forest pests.
Phasgonophora sulcata
Phasgonophora sulcata is a native North American chalcidid wasp and solitary endoparasitoid of woodboring beetles in the genus Agrilus. It has adopted the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) as a novel host and is under investigation as a biological control agent. Adult emergence occurs 20–24 days after host emergence at 21°C, with females emerging 5–6 days before males. Field parasitism rates range from 12% to 34%, with activity concentrated in ash trees below 360 cm height.
Spathius
Spathius is a genus of doryctine wasps in the family Braconidae. Species within this genus are larval parasitoids of wood-boring beetles, with several species introduced to North America as biological control agents for the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). The genus includes both native and introduced species that exhibit host-specific relationships with their beetle hosts.
Tetrastichus
Tetrastichus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae. Species in this genus are known biological control agents that parasitize various insect hosts, including beetles and moths. Several species have been introduced to North America to manage invasive pests, including T. planipennisi for emerald ash borer control. The genus exhibits endoparasitoid development, with females using elongated ovipositors to deposit eggs inside host larvae concealed under bark or within plant tissue.
Xorides humeralis
Xorides humeralis is a parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Xoridinae. The species has been documented as a parasitoid of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in North Carolina, where females were recorded from beetle galleries in ash trees. As a member of Xoridinae, it is presumed to be an ectoparasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae, though direct biological observations beyond the host record remain limited.