Invasive Populations of the Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Saint Petersburg, Russia: A Hitchhiker?

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive beetle of East Asian origin that has killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America and Russia. In September 2020, EAB was detected in Saint Petersburg, a notable event for the metropolitan city. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and ecology of EAB in Saint Petersburg. The presence of two distinct enclave populations of EAB was revealed, each of which has, most likely, been established through separate events of "hitchhiking" via transport vehicles. Following the invasion, the further spread of EAB in Saint Petersburg was slow and locally restricted, most likely due to climatic factors. This spread by "hitchhiking" suggests that the possibility of the further long-distance geographic spread of EAB in the Baltic Sea region (the EU) is high, both by ground transport (120-130 km distance from EU borders) and ferries that transport cars across the Baltic Sea. In certain cases, the development of EAB on Fraxinus excelsior, based on the stem portion colonized, larval densities, number of galleries, exit holes, viable larvae, and emerged adult beetles, was more successful than in Fraxinus pennsylvanica trees. The observed relatively high sensitivity of F. excelsior to EAB, therefore, casts doubt on the efficacy and benefits of the currently ongoing selection and breeding projects against ash dieback (ADB) disease, which is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Inventory, mapping, and monitoring of surviving F. excelsior trees infested by both ADB and EAB are necessary to acquire genetic resources for work on the strategic long-term restoration of F. excelsior, tackling the probable invasion of EAB to the EU.

Current Distribution and Diagnostic Features of Two Potentially Invasive Asian Buprestid Species: Agrilus mali Matsumura and A. fleischeri Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

Our goal is to analyze the known geographical ranges and diagnostic features of two potentially invasive Asian buprestid species: the quarantine apple tree pest, Agrilus mali Matsumura, and the poplar pest A. fleischeri Obenberger. Based on the examination of museum collections and literature sources, we compiled comprehensive databases of records of the exact collecting sites for both species and generated detailed maps of their ranges. There are 51 documented localities for A. mali in the Russian Far East and East Siberia, Mongolia, China, and the Korean peninsula, and there are 53 documented localities for A. fleischeri in the Far East and Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and Japan. No evidence of the presence of A. mali in Japan was found. Outbreak sites of A. mali in Xinjiang in the 2000s most likely represent the newly forming invasion areas; their proximity to the wild apple stands in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan is a direct threat to Kazakhstan and adjacent countries. Sites damaged by A. fleischeri in Liaoning are situated within its native range; the outbreaks were likely triggered by the switch from indigenous to introduced poplars. This situation is similar to the early stages of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) invasion.

Two new species of Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 from the Arabian Peninsula and Mauritania (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae: Acmaeoderini).

Acmaeodera (Acmaeodera) strumiai sp. nov. from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Mauritania, and A. (Acmaeotethya) dhofarica sp. nov. from Oman and Yemen are described, illustrated and compared with related species.

Acmaeodera (Ptychomus) kubani sp.n. from Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with notes on the taxonomic composition of the subgenus Ptychomus Marseul, 1866 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae: Acmaeoderini).

Acmaeodera (Ptychomus) kubani sp. n. from Algeria, Libya and Egypt together with A. (P.) kubani saudita subsp. n. from Saudi Arabia are described, illustrated and compared with closely related species. Species-groups A. (P.) arabica Gory, 1840, A. (P.) polita (Klug, 1829) (with A. polita and A. foudrasii Solier, 1833 subgroups) and A. (P.) argodi Kerremans, 1907 are established within subgenus Ptychomus Marseul, 1866; diagnostic characters and composition of these groups are discussed.

New unavailable names in Buprestidae (Coleoptera) and a short comment on the electronic publication of new names.

Since the catalogue of Buprestoidea was published (Bellamy, 2008-2009) we have been adding new taxa into the printed copy in the National Museum, Prague. During this work we have found some questionable descriptions which were published in the electronic publication "Procrustomachia" which has no official status and does not meet the requirements for the publication of scientific names in zoology; the names published in this way are unavailable according to the Code (ICZN, 1999, 2012). The situation is discussed in the following text.

An annotated catalogue of the Buprestidae of Iran (Coleoptera: Buprestoidea).

An annotated taxonomic catalogue of the jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) of Iran is given. Original descriptions and recent revisionary or catalogue data are included along with the distribution, both within and outside of Iran, ecological data and host plant associations, junior synonyms, and comments. A complete bibliography completes the catalogue. In total 428 species and 52 subspecies of jewel beetles belonging to 6 subfamilies (Julodinae, Polycestinae, Galbellinae, Chrysochroinae, Buprestinae, and Agrilinae), 20 tribes, and 38 genera are known from Iran including doubtful records and 4 nomina nuda. It is likely that the number of jewel beetle species from Iran will be between 460-480 and possibly even more species.

A description of the larva of Coomaniella (Coomaniella) purpurascens Baudon, 1966 and a discussion on the tribal placement of Coomaniellini Bílý, 1974 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

A detailed description of the mature larva of Coomaniella (Coomaniella) purpurascens Baudon, 1966 and a discussion of the taxonomic position of the tribe Coomaniellini Bílý, 1974 are presented. Larva is fully illustrated including details of the mouth parts and inner structures of the proventriculus. The larval characters support the tribal status of Coomaniellini with close relations to the tribe Dicercini Gistel, 1884 in contrast with the former placement of the tribe near Anthaxiini Gory & Laporte, 1839. 

Morphological variability and taxonomy of Coraebus hastanus Gory & Laporte de Castelnau, 1839 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilinae: Coraebini: Coraebina).

Coraebus hastanus Gory & Laporte de Castelnau, 1839 is easily distinguished from the other species of the genus Coraebus Gory & Laporte de Castelnau, 1839. It was divided into three subspecies, but the main diagnostic characters were variable. In order to understand the morphological variability and taxonomy of subspecies of C. hastanus, shape of elytral apex, lateral margin of elytra and the aedeagi were analyzed using geometric morphometric and traditional morphometric approaches. Based on the results and distribution patterns of the three subspecies, C. hastanus oberthueri Lewis, 1896 is treated as synonym of C. hastanus Gory & Laporte de Castelnau, 1839, and C. hastanus ephippiatus Théry, 1938 is elevated to species rank, and these two species are also redescribed and illustrated.

Preimaginal stages of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): an invasive pest on ash trees (Fraxinus).

This study provides the most detailed description of the immature stages of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire to date and illustrates suites of larval characters useful in distinguishing among Agrilus Curtis species and instars. Immature stages of eight species of Agrilus were examined and imaged using light and scanning electron microscopy. For A. planipennis all preimaginal stages (egg, instars I-IV, prepupa and pupa) were described. A combination of 14 character states were identified that serve to identify larvae of A. planipennis. Our results support the segregation of Agrilus larvae into two informal assemblages based on characters of the mouthparts, prothorax, and abdomen: the A. viridis and A. ater assemblages, with A. planipennis being more similar to the former. Additional evidence is provided in favor of excluding A. planipennis from the subgenus Uragrilus.