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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316075

Title: Chemical ecology of Xyleborus glabratus and implications for monitoring and management

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Schnell, Elena
item NIOGRET, JEROME - Mars, Inc
item Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2015
Publication Date: 6/18/2015
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Schnell, E.Q., Niogret, J., Epsky, N.D. 2015. Chemical ecology of Xyleborus glabratus and implications for monitoring and management. Conference on laurel wilt and natural ecosystems, Coral Springs, FL 16-18-Jun 2015.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Abstract Chemical ecology of Xyleborus glabratus and implications for monitoring and management Paul E. Kendra, Wayne S. Montgomery, Jerome Niogret, Elena Q. Schnell, and Nancy D. Epsky USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, 13601 Old Cutler Rd., Miami, FL 33158 The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, is endemic to Southeast Asia, but over the past decade it has become a serious invasive pest in the USA. Females of X. glabratus are the primary vectors of a fungal pathogen (Raffaelea lauricola) that causes laurel wilt, a lethal vascular disease of trees in the family Lauraceae. First detected in 2002 near Savannah, Georgia, X. glabratus has since spread to become established in seven southeastern states. Within this region, laurel wilt has caused extensive mortality in native Persea species, including redbay (P. borbonia), swampbay (P. palustris), and silkbay (P. humilis). Currently, commercial avocado (P. americana) is threatened in south Florida, and with continued spread, avocado and additional species within the Lauraceae may be impacted in Mexico, Central and South America, and throughout the Caribbean. This presentation summarizes comparative research focused on the chemical ecology of X. glabratus, to identify the semiochemicals used by dispersing females for host location, and to develop field lures for pest detection and monitoring. Results presented will include (1) relative attraction and boring preferences of X. glabratus for nine US species within the Lauraceae, (2) electrophysiological analyses of olfactory responses to host volatiles, and (3) evaluations of field lures commercially available and under development.