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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294203
Title: Cubeb oil identified as an improved attractant for redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Niogret, Jerome
item Schnell, Elena
item DEYRUP, MARK - Archbold Biological Station
item Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2013
Publication Date: 7/16/2013
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Niogret, J., Schnell, E.Q., Deyrup, M.A., Epsky, N.D. 2013. Cubeb oil identified as an improved attractant for redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Meeting Abstract. FL Ent Soc meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Redbay ambrosia beetle (RAB), Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, is an exotic wood-borer that vectors the fungal agent (Raffaelea lauricola) responsible for laurel wilt disease. Since its introduction into Georgia in 2002, RAB has spread throughout the southeastern USA, and laurel wilt has decimated large populations of native Persea trees, particularly redbay (P. borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris). Currently, the lethal vascular disease threatens avocado (P. americana) in south Florida. To control the spread of laurel wilt, effective attractants are needed for early detection of RAB. Phoebe oil lures are the best known attractant for RAB, but they are no longer available. Current detection systems use commercial manuka oil lures, but our research indicated that manuka lures have a field life of only 2-3 weeks in Florida. Therefore, we evaluated seven essential oils as attractants for female RAB. Several field tests were conducted in Highlands County, FL to compare efficacy of manuka, phoebe, cubeb, ginger root, angelica seed, tea tree, and orange oils (all as whole oil preparations in membrane-based dispensers). Tea tree and orange oils were not attractive to RAB; ginger root and angelica seed oil were intermediate in attraction; and cubeb oil was found to be just as attractive as fresh manuka and phoebe oils. Subsequent tests with commercial lure formulations indicated that cubeb lures enriched in sesquiterpenes captured significantly more RAB than manuka lures and had increased longevity. Therefore, cubeb lures are recommended for improved detection and monitoring of RAB.