Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) That Breed in Avocado Wood in Florida

Authors

  • Daniel Carrillo
  • Rita E. Duncan
  • Jorge E. Peña

Abstract

Laurel wilt is a destructive disease caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, which is transmitted by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. Here we document ambrosia beetles that emerged from wilted avocado trees throughout Florida. In addition, the ambrosia beetle fauna associated with wilted swampbay trees in Miami-Dade was studied. Fourteen species of scolytine beetles were found associated with avocado wood from different parts of Florida. Multiple species of ambrosia beetles were found breeding in avocado and swampbay wood infected by R. lauricola with or without the presence of its primary vector, X. glabratus. Work is under way to determine whether other ambrosia beetle species can carry R. lauricola and transmit this pathogen to healthy avocado and swampbay trees.

Resumen: La marchitez del laurel es una enfermedad destructiva causada por el hongo Raffaelea lauricola, el cual es transmitido por el escarabajo de ambrosia, Xyleborus glabratus. Se presenta un registro de las especies de escarabajos de ambrosia que emergieron de árboles de aguacate marchitos, colectados en diferentes partes de Florida. También se estudio la fauna de escarabajos de ambrosia asociados a Persea palustris en el condado de Miami-Dade. Catorce especies de escarabajos de ambrosia fueron encontradas reproduciéndose en madera de aguacate en diferentes partes de Florida. Varias especies de escarabajos de ambrosia se encontraron en árboles infectados con R. lauricola. Sin embargo, su principal vector, X. glabratus, no se encontró en todos los árboles infectados. Se está trabajando para determinar si otras especies de escarabajos de ambrosia pueden transmitir este patógeno a plantas sanas de aguacate y P. palustris.

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Published

2012-09-01

Issue

Vol. 95, No. 3 (September 2012)

Section

Research Papers

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