Document Type
Scientific Note
Abstract
Mackinac Island, Michigan, is a major tourism destination with its lilacs an important part of the local culture. Recently, the health of some lilacs has declined. It is uncertain if this is due to the lilac’s age, attack by lilac borer, Podosesia syringae (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), or a combination of environmental and biotic factors. The lilac borer is a clearwing moth whose larvae bore within ash and lilac, and there are minimal local records of the insect in Northern Michigan and none on Mackinac Island. This study deployed pheromone traps to identify the flight period of lilac borer, potential damage to lilacs, and the extent of lilac borer populations. Adult lilac borers were detected in 40% of all traps with peak emergence in mid-July. A smaller number of trees had evidence of lilac borer exit holes. This study confirmed active lilac borer populations on Mackinac Island and suggests that trees susceptible to lilac borer should be pruned or monitored to prolong their health.
Recommended Citation
Lowenstein, David Max
2023.
"Evidence of lilac borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) population on Mackinac Island, MI,"
The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 56
(2)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/0090-0222.2471
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol56/iss2/11