First record of Platypus quercivorus and Platypus koryoensis in China
Platypus quercivorus and P. koryoensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae) are ambrosia beetles which, together with their symbiotic fungi, have been responsible for extensive mortality of oak trees in Japan and the Republic of Korea, respectively. In China, considering the risks both P. quercivorus and P. koryoensis may pose to forest trees, both species are regulated as quarantine pests. Extensive surveys on ambrosia beetles have been carried out in China from 2012 to 2022. During these surveys, numerous specimens of both P. quercivorus and P. koryoensis were trapped or collected by hand in several Chinese provinces and their identity was confirmed by morphological methods, and by molecular methods for some specimens.
- P. quercivorus was found in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces, at 6 locations in natural forests.
- P. koryoensis was found in the following provinces: Fujian, Shaanxi and Jiangxi, at 3 locations in natural forests.
This is the first time that P. quercivorus and P. koryoensis are reported from in China. Both insects were collected from Fagaceae trees which were already dying from other causes, however it is noted that further studies are needed to better understand their distribution in China and their potential risks.
P. quercivorus is a vector of Dryadomyces quercivora (formerly Raffaelea quercivora) which causes Japanese oak wilt (formerly EPPO Alert List). It has a strong preference for Fagaceae, and extensive tree mortality has been observed on Japanese oak species (Q. serrata and Q. crispula). P. quercivorus occurs in several Asian countries (India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam).
Platypus koryoensis is a vector of Dryadomyces quercus-mongolicae (formerly Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae). In the Republic of Korea, tree mortality has mainly been observed on Q. mongolica (Mongolian oak). P. koryoensis occurs in the Republic of Korea, the Russian Far-East and Taiwan.
For more information on P. quercivorus and P. koryoensis, see the EPPO Study on the risk of bark and ambrosia beetles associated with imported non-coniferous wood. EPPO Technical Document no. 1081.
- P. quercivorus: https://www.eppo.int/media/uploaded_images/RESOURCES/eppo_publications/TD1081_EPPO_Study_bark_ambrosia.pdf
- P. koryoensis: https://www.eppo.int/media/uploaded_images/RESOURCES/eppo_publications/TD1081_EPPO_Study_bark_ambrosia.pdf
Sources
Lai S, Wang J, Wang Y, Li Y, Lin W, Meng L, Hao D (2023) First record of two ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus (Murayama) and Platypus koryoensis (Murayama)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Platypodinae) in mainland China. Zootaxa, 5284(2), 397-400.