Euplatypus hintzi (Schaufuss)

Barnouin, Thomas, Soldati, Fabien, Roques, Alain, Faccoli, Massimo, Kirkendall, Lawrence R., Mouttet, Raphaëlle, Daubree, Jean-Baptiste & Noblecourt, Thierry, 2020, Bark beetlesand pinhole borers recently ornewly introduced toFrance (Coleoptera Curculionidae, Scolytinae and Platypodinae), Zootaxa 4877 (1), pp. 51-74 : 66-68

- Euplatypus hintzi (Schaufuss)

( Figs. 4A, 4B )

Distribution. E. hintzi is native to sub-Saharan Africa, and it seems to be one of the most frequently collected Platypodinae species in that region ( Schedl 1962; Beaver & Löyttyniemi 1985; Wagner et al. 1991). There are no records of established populations outside of its native range. However, this species has been reported as interceptions in Australia (timber from Africa: Schedl 1964), Italy ( Mansonia , Triplochiton, Guibuortia and Dumori logs, West Africa: Cola 1971, 1973), Israel (timber from W. Africa: Halperin & Menier 1981), Poland ( Aucoumea logs from Congo: Karnkowski 1992) and the Seychelles (a port, at light, single female: Beaver 1988). France is thus the third country in Europe where this species has been collected. That E. hintzi has not succeeded in dispersing beyond Africa is not unusual: only one African platypodine, Diapus quinquespinatus Chapuis , has successfully spread to other continents.

New records: CHARENTE-MARITIME – La Rochelle, port area, interception trap baited with ethanol 100%, (-) α-pinene, and a pheromone blend for longhorn beetles, 26.VII.2012, 2 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 17.IX.2012, 3 ind., URZF leg., ibidem, 27.VII.2013, 1 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 09.X.2015, 1 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 26.IX.2016, 4 ind., URZF leg. HERAULT – Sète, port area, funnel traps baited with a blend of cerambycid pheromones, 25.VI.2019, 3 ind., URZF leg .

Biology and ecology. There have been no detailed studies of this species. Older observations on the biology and ecology of E. hintzi are summarized in Beaver & Löyttniemi (1985, see also Beaver 1988). E. hintzi are monogamous ambrosia beetles, breeding in a wide variety of host conditions and host diameters. Although most platypodines are polyphagous, E. hintzi is unusually so, having been recorded from nearly 200 host species in 43 plant families ( Schedl 1962; Wagner et al. 1991).

Damage and infestation risk. E. hintzi is a secondary pest. Attacks by this species on living trees are rare and seldom successful ( Beaver 1988). This species seems to be frequently present in imported timbers yet has not established breeding populations outside of tropical Africa. It seems unlikely, then, that it will present significant phytosanitary problems in France.

- Euplatypus parallelus (Fabricius)

( Figs. 4C, 4D )

Distribution. E. parallelus is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, with a distribution ranging from northern Argentina to Texas ( Beaver 2013). This species was probably introduced at the end of the 19th century to tropical Africa, where it is now widespread ( Wood & Bright 1992). Since the second half of the 20th century, it has also spread to the tropical regions of Asia and Oceania. It is established in most of the eastern regions of Asia, southeastern China, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii and Australia ( Walker 2006; Beaver 2013; Gillett & Rubinoff 2017; Li et al. 2018). In Japan, this species has been intercepted many times in imported wood but it has never established lasting populations, probably for climatic reasons ( Beaver 2013). In the Middle East, it was recently intercepted in Turkey ( Gümus & Ergün 2015) and Arabia ( El-Hawagry et al. 2016). The first record in Europe dates to the 19th century in England, where it has been recaptured several times during the last fifty years in London although the species has probably not become established there ( Allen 1976, 1985; Whitehead 2001). During the same period, it was also reported from the harbors of Hamburg ( Germany) and Ancona ( Italy) in tropical wood originating from Western Africa ( Cola 1971, 1973). This is the first record of this exotic species in France, with specimens intercepted regularly in the port area of La Rochelle from 2012 to 2018. A risk of spreading E. parallelus in France is therefore possible, but it is unlikely following climatic limitations, except perhaps in the Mediterranean region.

New records: CHARENTE-MARITIME – La Rochelle, port area, interception trap baited with ethanol 100%, (-) α-pinene, and a pheromone blend for longhorn beetles, 26.VII.2012, 2 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 17.IX.2012, 2 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 27.VII.2013, 1 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 04.VII.2016, 6 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 25.VII.2016, 1 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 26.IX.2016, 10 ind., URZF leg.; ibidem, 19.X.2018, 2 ind., URZF leg .

Biology and ecology. This polyphagous insect has been recorded on 82 tree species belonging to 25 families with no notable preferences ( Gümus & Ergün 2015). We note, in particular, that it is known to develop also on tree species occurring in France, such as pines ( Pinus ), figs ( Ficus ) and Eucalyptus . This ambrosia beetle species usually infests weakened trees (water, heat, biological stress, etc.) or recently cut trees ( Beaver 2013).

Damage and infestation risk. E. parallelus is well-known as a secondary pest. In rare cases, massive attacks can lead to mortality of stressed trees ( Beaver 2013). Nevertheless, its role as a vector of pathogenic fungi and its involvement in tree mortality remains unclear and varying with different situations ( Beaver 2013). In addition, E. parallelus is known for the economic damage it may produce to some recently cut tropical woods, reducing quality and commercial value ( Beaver 2013).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Euplatypus hintzi (Schaufuss). A. male in dorsal view (4 mm); B. female in dorsal view (3.9 mm). E. parallelus (Fabricius). C. male in dorsal view (4.6 mm); D. female in dorsal view (4.6 mm). Length of specimens in brackets. (Photos: Thomas Barnouin).