Bees (Apoidea: Anthophila) Found in Emerald Ash Borer Traps in Vermont, USA

Incidental bee specimens collected in Emerald Ash Borer traps located throughout Vermont in the spring of 2009. These were purple, three-sided traps resembling a box kite and hung on ash trees as part of a surveillance program by federal and state agencies. The purple traps are coated with an adhesive that captures the insects when they land and are baited with a lure to attract the beetle pest if it is present. Emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an invasive species wood boring beetle, native to China and eastern Asia, which targets ash trees. EAB probably arrived in North America hidden in wood packing materials commonly used to ship consumer and other goods. It was first detected in July 2002 in southeastern Michigan.