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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312889
Title: Attraction of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus to lures containing quercivorol

Author
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida
item NARVAEZ, TEREZA - University Of Florida
item Cosse, Allard
item STOUTHAMER, RICHARD - University Of California
item Cooperband, Miriam

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2015
Publication Date: 6/22/2015
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62334
Citation: Carrillo, D., Narvaez, T., Cosse, A.A., Stouthamer, R., Cooperband, M.F. 2015. Attraction of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to lures containing quercivorol. Florida Entomologist. 98(2):780-782.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this research was to test potential attractants to trap ambrosia beetles (Euwallacea nr. fornicatus) that have recently emerged as important exotic pests that vector a fungal disease (Fusarium spp.) to avocados and ornamental plants in south Florida. A morphologically similar ambrosia beetle is causing severe dieback in avocado and other hosts in California and Israel. Effective attractants can be used to establish a trapping program to study the seasonality and flight behavior of this beetle. Traps can be utilized as an early warning system to indicate the presence of the disease vectors, and as a timing tool for the application of pesticides. Quercivorol, a natural occurring compound, was shown to attract these exotic ambrosia beetles in two separate field test in south Florida.

Technical Abstract: Euwallacea nr. fornicatus is an exotic ambrosia beetle that vectors fungal Fusarium spp. to avocados. Two field trials testing potential attractants to trap Euwallacea spp. were conducted in south Florida. Quercivorol + Ultra High Release Ethanol (URH) was the more powerful attractant for E. nr. fornicatus in the two field trials. In Florida the populations of E. nr. fornicatus are low. The attraction of quercivorol lures to other Euwallacea spp. should be tested in conditions where population levels are higher like California and Israel.