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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327788
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Efficacy of current lures for detection of redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item NIOGRET, JEROME - Mars, Inc
item Schnell, Elena
item DEYRUP, MARK - Archbold Biological Station
item Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2016
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Since its introduction into the USA in 2002, the exotic redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, has become a serious invasive pest, currently established in eight southeastern states. Females are the primary vectors of a pathogenic fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, that causes laurel wilt. This vascular disease has caused extensive mortality of native Persea species, including redbay P. borbonia, swampbay P. palustris, and silkbay P. humilis, and now impacts commercial production of avocado P. americana in south Florida. With continued spread, laurel wilt may soon threaten the avocado industries in California and Mexico, as well as additional native Lauraceae (e.g. California bay laurel along the Pacific Coast, numerous lauraceous species endemic to Mexico). Effective lures are needed for early detection of this pest, and for implementing measures to curtail further spread. Research to date indicates that the best lures for X. glabratus contain plant essential oils high in sesquiterpene content, particularly a-copaene. This presentation presents the results of lab and field tests to compare efficacy and longevity of commercially available essential oil lures, including formulations of manuka, cubeb, copaiba, and a newly-developed 50% copaene oil. In addition, lures containing eucalyptol (a monoterpene shown to be attractive to X. glabratus) are evaluated for efficacy alone and in combination with essential oil lures.