Chalcophora virginiensis, (DRURY, 1770)

Ivie, Michael A., Medrano-Cabral, Sardis & Martinéz, Eli R., 2014, Chalcophora virginiensis (Drury, 1770) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a Newly Established Invasive Species in the Dominican Republic, The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (4), pp. 712-713 : 712-713

CHALCOPHORA VIRGINIENSIS (DRURY, 1770) ( COLEOPTERA : BUPRESTIDAE ), A NEWLY ESTABLISHED INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

MICHAEL A. IVIE Montana Entomology Collection 1911 W. Lincoln, Room 50 Marsh Laboratory Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717-3020 , U.S.A. [e-mail]

SARDIS MEDRANO- CABRAL Centro de Tecnologías Agrícolas Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales C/Progreso No. 1, Pantoja La Isabela Santo Domingo, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC [e-mail]

AND

ELI R. MARTINÉZ Viceministerio de Recursos Forestales Ave. Gregorio Luperon Esquina Cayetano Germosen Santo Domingo, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC [e-mail]

Chalcophora virginiensis (Drury, 1770) is a large, common species of buprestid in eastern North America which has been introduced into Europe and Japan (Maier and Ivie 2013). This occasionally pestiferous species ( Drooz 1985) feeds in the boles of various conifers, including several species of Pinus L. ( Pinaceae ) (Maier and Ivie 2013). It has never been recorded as established anywhere in the West Indies. Chevrolat (1867) reported a single specimen from Cuba but stated he thought it was transported from the USA. Some 24 years later, Gundlach (1891) stated the species had not become established (see also Fisher 1925). No specimen has ever been reported from Hispaniola, and in our combined extensive experience in the Dominican Republic and Coleoptera collections from that country, we have never before encountered it there. Therefore, it was a surprise when a male specimen of Ch. virginiensis was taken in a pheromone trap baited with Ips pheromones and turpentine in a natural forest of Pinus occidentalis Swartz in Bohio Viejo, Los Montones Abajo, near San José de las Matas in the Province of Santiago, Dominican Republic (19.2974°N, 70.9198°W, 667 m). In North America, Ch. virginiensis is known to be taken in funnel traps baited with Ips lure ( Allison et al. 2013), so the capture is consistent with its behavior in its native range. This specimen allowed interpretation of a mystery specimen photographed 2 April 2014 by SMC in the same area. That photograph captures an image of a female of the same species ( Fig. 1 ) that later escaped.

The endemic P. occidentalis is the most important lumber tree in the Dominican Republic. Sampling at this location was prompted by reports of dying trees in Los Montones Abajo, a phenomenon already under study in other areas of the Cordillera Central. Beginning in March 2013, tree deaths in the vicinity of Valle Nuevo were thought to be caused by the native scolytine Ips calligraphus interstitiallis (Eichhoff) ( Curculionidae : Scolytinae ), previously known as Ips calligraphus (Germar) ( Lanier et al. 1991) . However, the dead and dying trees in the Valle Nuevo area were observed to be infested with Pissodes sp. (Curculionidae) , an unidentified cerambycid larva, and Cossonus sp. (Curculionidae) , along with I. calligraphus , all native species. Drought conditions were present over the region during this period.

After receiving reports of dying trees in Los Montones Abajo, the forest was visited by ERM acting with the native fauna to cause increased damage to trees under drought stress is significant. This report of its presence is the first step in creating a management strategy for this threat.

Voucher specimens for Ch. virginiensis and Pissodes sp. are in the West Indian Beetle Fauna Project at Montana State University.

Figures

Fig. 1. Chalcophora virginiensis female on Pinus occidentalis at Los Montones (near San Jose de las Matas), Santiago Province, Dominican Republic. Photo by SMC.