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Title: Redbay ambrosia beetle/Laurel wilt: Overview of projects at the USDA-ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Niogret, Jerome
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Schnell, Elena
item Epsky, Nancy
item Heath, Robert
item Schnell Ii, Raymond
item Ayala Silva, Tomas
item Winterstein, Michael - Mikey

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/3/2009
Publication Date: 12/14/2009
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Niogret, J., Montgomery, W.S., Schnell, E.Q., Epsky, N.D., Heath, R.R., Schnell Ii, R.J., Ayala Silva, T., Winterstein, M.C. 2009. Redbay ambrosia beetle/Laurel wilt: Overview of projects at the USDA-ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station. Online Proceedings of FDACS Laurel Wilt Disease and Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Research Symposium, 3 November 2009, Homestead, FL http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/pathology/images/lw-rbab_researchpresentations.pdf

Interpretive Summary: n

Technical Abstract: ABSTRACT Laurel wilt, a deadly fungal disease of avocado and other trees in the Lauraceae, is vectored by the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). First detected near Savannah, GA in 2002, the beetle and its obligatory pathogen have since spread to South Carolina and Florida. Currently, the pest complex has been confirmed in Martin County, FL, approximately 70 miles north of commercial avocado areas in Miami-Dade County. Impact is potentially devastating to the avocado industries in FL, CA, and Mexico, and scientists at the USDA-ARS in Miami have coordinated efforts to address this threat. To preserve the USDA avocado germplasm collection, the plant science unit has (1) injected propiconizole fungicide into ~250 mature trees in Miami, and (2) initiated work to establish back-up germplasm collections at sites in California and Hawaii. The entomology unit is conducting research to identify volatile chemical attractants from host trees, which will facilitate development of improved lures for detection of the beetle.