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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #286140
Title: Sesquiterpene emissions from manuka and phoebe oil lures and efficacy for detection of redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Niogret, Jerome
item Montgomery, Wayne
item DEYRUP, MARK - Archbold Biological Station
item PRUETT, GRECHEN - Archbold Biological Station
item PLOETZ, RANDY - University Of Florida
item PENA, JORGE - University Of Florida
item Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2012
Publication Date: 8/12/2012
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Niogret, J., Montgomery, W.S., Deyrup, M.A., Pruett, G.E., Ploetz, R.C., Pena, J.E., Epsky, N.D. 2012. Sesquiterpene emissions from manuka and phoebe oil lures and efficacy for detection of redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. Meeting Abstract. Ambrosia Beetle/Fungal Symbiont Workshop; UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research; Riverside, CA; 12-14 Aug 2012

Interpretive Summary: Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, is an exotic wood-borer that vectors the fungal agent (Raffaelea lauricola) responsible for laurel wilt. Laurel wilt has had severe impact on forest ecosystems in the southeastern USA, killing a large proportion of native Persea trees, particularly redbay (P. borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris), and currently poses an economic threat to avocado (P. americana) in Florida. To control the spread of this lethal disease, effective attractants are needed for early detection of the vector. Two 12-wk field tests were conducted in Florida to evaluate efficacy and longevity of manuka and phoebe oil lures, and to relate captures of X. glabratus to release rates of putative sesquiterpene attractants. Two trap types were also evaluated – Lindgren funnel traps and sticky panel traps. To document lure emissions over time, a separate set of lures was aged outdoors for 12 wk and sampled periodically to quantify volatile sesquiterpenes using super-Q adsorbant and GC-MS analysis. Phoebe lures captured significantly more X. glabratus than manuka lures, and sticky traps captured more beetles than funnel traps. Phoebe lures captured X. glabratus for 10-12 wk, but field life of manuka lures was 2-3 wk. Emissions of a-copaene, a-humulene, and cadinene were consistently higher from phoebe lures, particularly during the 2-3 wk window when manuka lures lost efficacy, suggesting that these sesquiterpenes are primary kairomones utilized by host-seeking females. Results indicate that the current monitoring system is suboptimal for early detection of X. glabratus due to rapid depletion of sesquiterpenes from manuka lures.

Technical Abstract: Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, is an exotic wood-borer that vectors the fungal agent (Raffaelea lauricola) responsible for laurel wilt. Laurel wilt has had severe impact on forest ecosystems in the southeastern USA, killing a large proportion of native Persea trees, particularly redbay (P. borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris), and currently poses an economic threat to avocado (P. americana) in Florida. To control the spread of this lethal disease, effective attractants are needed for early detection of the vector. Two 12-wk field tests were conducted in Florida to evaluate efficacy and longevity of manuka and phoebe oil lures, and to relate captures of X. glabratus to release rates of putative sesquiterpene attractants. Two trap types were also evaluated – Lindgren funnel traps and sticky panel traps. To document lure emissions over time, a separate set of lures was aged outdoors for 12 wk and sampled periodically to quantify volatile sesquiterpenes using super-Q adsorbant and GC-MS analysis. Phoebe lures captured significantly more X. glabratus than manuka lures, and sticky traps captured more beetles than funnel traps. Phoebe lures captured X. glabratus for 10-12 wk, but field life of manuka lures was 2-3 wk. Emissions of a-copaene, a-humulene, and cadinene were consistently higher from phoebe lures, particularly during the 2-3 wk window when manuka lures lost efficacy, suggesting that these sesquiterpenes are primary kairomones utilized by host-seeking females. Results indicate that the current monitoring system is suboptimal for early detection of X. glabratus due to rapid depletion of sesquiterpenes from manuka lures.