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Title: Effect of trap size, trap height, and age of lure for on sampling Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), and its flight periodicity and seasonality.

Author
item BRAR, GURPREET - University Of Florida
item CAPINERA, JOHN - University Of Florida
item MCLEAN, STEPHEN - University Of Florida
item Kendra, Paul
item PLOETZ, RANDY - University Of Florida
item PENA, JORGE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/26/2012
Publication Date: 12/28/2012
Citation: Brar, G. S., J. L. Capinera, S. McLean, P. E. Kendra, R. C. Ploetz, and J. E. Peña. 2012. Effect of trap size, trap height, and age of lure on sampling Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), and its flight periodicity and seasonality. Florida Entomol. 95 (4): 1003-1011.

Interpretive Summary: The redbay ambrosia beetle (RAB) is an exotic wood-boring pest that transmits laurel wilt, a deadly fungal disease of trees in the plant family Lauraceae, including redbay, swampbay, sassafras, and avocado. Controlling the spread of the disease requires effective methods for early detection and monitoring of dispersing RAB. A scientist at the USDA-ARS in Miami, FL collaborated with scientists from the University of Florida to study the flight behavior of RAB and to evaluate several funnel trap designs for capture of RAB with manuka oil lures. In north Florida, RAB were captured during all months, with peak activity observed in the Spring and Fall. It was determined that RAB fly primarily during the late afternoon, at approximately 1-3 feet above the ground. Traps containing 8 funnels captured more beetles than traps with 4 funnels, but increasing funnel number to 12 or 16 did not improve captures. It was also determined that manuka lures lose efficacy after 2 weeks, and that color of trap had no effect on captures of RAB. Information from this study will be used by action agencies (Florida DPI, CAPS) engaged in monitoring programs for RAB, and by scientists engaged in research to develop improved lures and detection programs for RAB.

Technical Abstract: Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a non-native pest that vectors laurel wilt disease in plants within the family Lauraceae. To better understand the dynamics and behavior of this newly introduced pest, flight behavior was studied in natural areas with host species in Alachua County, FL. Diurnal flight rhythm was studied at Austin Cary Memorial Forest twice in the month of September 2010 using sticky traps baited with Manuka oil lures. It was determined that X. glabratus flies mostly between 1600 and 1800 h. Flight height of the beetle was determined in a trapping study using ladder - like traps. The largest number of beetles was trapped at a height of 35 - 100 cm above the ground. Dynamics of X. glabratus were studied in Florida from March 2010 to December 2011. There were three peaks of activity observed in the months of April 2010, October 2010 and March 2011. To find the optimal Lindgren funnel trap design for X. glabratus, a study was conducted using 4, 8, 12 and 16 funnels per trap. Funnel traps with 8, 12, and 16 funnels per trap captured similar numbers of X. glabratus, with 4 funnel traps capturing significantly fewer beetles. The effect of Manuka oil lure aging was studied at two different sites in Alachua County, FL. Unaged manuka oil lures trapped significantly more X. glabratus as compared with lures aged 2, 4 and 6 wk. Trap color had no significant influence on trapping of X. glabratus when black, white, blue, yellow, red and transparent traps were assessed.