Injection of emamectin benzoate protects paper birch from birch leafminer (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) for two field seasons

Abstract

Ambermarked birch leafminer, Profenusa thomsoni (Konow) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), is an exotic, invasive pest of urban and wildland birch. We initiated a study near Fairbanks, Alaska to determine the efficacy of emamectin benzoate (TREE-äge®, Arborjet Inc., Woburn, MA) for control of P. thomsoni on paper birch, Betula papyrifera Marsh. We observed no external symptoms of phytotoxicity, but bleeding occurred around some injection sites, which might be considered unsightly and therefore undesirable in some environments. TREE-äge®-treated trees had significantly less crown damage (percent leaf mining) than untreated controls. We conclude that a single injection of TREE-äge® provides two field seasons of protection, and holds promise for control of P. thomsoni on individual birch trees in Interior Alaska.

Citation

Fettig, Christopher J.; Burnside, Roger E.; Schultz, Mark E. 2013. Injection of emamectin benzoate protects paper birch from birch leafminer (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) for two field seasons. J. Entomol. Sci. 48(2):166-168.