ARS | Publication request: Host preferences of the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) in Florida

Submitted to: National Meeting of Entomological Society Of America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 30, 2011
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Niogret, J., Sanchez, J., Pruett, G., Ploetz, R., Epsky, N.D., Heath, R.R. 2011. Host preferences of the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) in Florida. 59th National Meeting of Entomological Society Of America. Reno, NV. Nov 2011.

Technical Abstract: The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is an exotic wood-boring insect that vectors Raffaelea lauricola, the fungal pathogen responsible for laurel wilt. Laurel wilt is a newly-described vascular disease of U.S. trees in the family Lauraceae. Laurel wilt has caused extensive mortality in native Persea species, particularly redbay (P. borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris), and now poses an imminent threat to commercial avocado (P. americana) in south Florida. As part of research to identify host-based attractants for X. glabratus, comparative studies were initiated to determine host preferences among the dominant species of Lauraceae that occur in south Florida sympatrically with avocado. We report the results of field tests and laboratory bioassays that assess relative attraction and boring behaviors of female X. glabratus to freshly-cut wood bolts of avocado, redbay, swampbay, silkbay (P. humilis), camphor tree (Cinnamomun camphora), and lancewood (Ocotea coriacea).