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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336339
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Host boring preferences of the tea shot-hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item OWENS, DAVID - Orise Fellow
item Narvaez, Teresa
item Montgomery, Wayne
item CARILLIO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America, Southwestern and Southeastern Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/29/2016
Publication Date: 3/12/2017
Citation: Owens, D.R.,P.E.Kendra,T.I. Narvaez, W.S. Montgomery,and D. Carillio, 2017. Host boring preferences of the tea shot-hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). 91st Annual Meeting of the Southeasern Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Memphis, TN. 12-15 Mar 2017.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The non-native shot-hole borer, Euwallacea nr. fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), was discovered in Florida’s avocado production area in Homestead in 2010. It is a highly polyphagous ambrosia beetle that carries Fusarium fungal symbionts. In susceptible host trees, the fungi cause localized tissue death, commonly referred to as branch dieback disease. Unlike native ambrosia beetles, E. nr. fornicatus is a primary colonizer of healthy trees and subsequently is not attracted to ethanol. Populations throughout the avocado production area are increasing, and in 2016, significant damage was observed in a commercial grove. Behavioral and electrophysiological studies were initiated to determine host preferences among avocado varieties as well as other potential host plants. Of the three horticultural avocado races, greatest boring was observed from the West Indian race. In conjunction, host volatile collections and chemical analyses are underway to identify novel semiochemical attractants (kairomones) which have potential to improve pest detection and control.