Ambrosia Beetle Update

Abstract

In October 2018, a potential “new pest” was found in large numbers in one grove in Hernando County, Florida. The damage to trees was dramatic, with dark staining throughout the trunk of the tree and beetle damage evident. It was something that would put any grower, Extension agent or researcher on alert. Fortunately, by working with Jiri Hulcr’s forest entomology lab at the University of Florida in Gainesville, we were able to determine that the ambrosia beetles which have emerged from the wood are not of concern.