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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312214
Title: Chemical ecology of Xyleborus glabratus: Attractants for detection and monitoring

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

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/14/2014
Publication Date: 11/3/2015
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Niogret, J., Schnell, E.Q., Epsky, N.D. 2015. Chemical ecology of Xyleborus glabratus: Attractants for detection and monitoring. Academic & Technical Workshop on Xyleborus glabratus and Euwallacea fornicatus.Veracruz, Mexico. 3-7 Nov 2014.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, is endemic to Southeast Asia, but over the past decade it has become a serious invasive pest of both agriculture and forest ecosystems in the USA. Females of X. glabratus are the primary vector 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 six 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, laurel wilt may impact avocado production in Mexico and California as well. In addition, native Mexican Lauraceae are potentially at risk. 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, (3) evaluations of field lures commercially available and under development, and (4) initial risk assessment of Mexican species within the Lauraceae (collaborative research with INECOL).