Prospects for the use of biological control agents against Anoplophora in Europe

This review summarises the literature on biocontrol of Anoplophora spp. and discusses which are the strongest candidates for use in Europe. Some of the methods could be useful for control, but are unlikely to be instrumental in achieving eradication. • Entomopathogenic fungi: Could be used as biopesticides as fungal infection results in high mortality rates and has already been developed into a commercial product in Japan for Anoplophora control. • Parasitic nematodes: Potential for use as biopesticides due to high mortality rates and effective application methods have already been developed. Steinernema feltiae and S. carpocapsae, are authorised for use in Europe. • Parasitoids: A previously uncharacterised parasitoid of A. chinensis, Aprostocetus anoplophorae Delvare (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), was identified in Italy in 2002 and it has been shown to be capable of parasitizing up to 72% of A. chinensis eggs. Some native European parasitoid species (e.g. Spathius erythrocephalus) have potential to be used as a biocontrol. • Predators: Two woodpecker species that are native to Europe (Dendrocopos major and Picus canus) have been shown to be effective at controlling A. glabripennis numbers in Chinese forests. • Pathogenic bacteria: Are currently not a strong prospect for use in biocontrol with no study yet advancing to field trials.