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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #341254
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Xyleborus bispinatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) reared on artificial media using sawdust from avocado or silkbay in presence or absence of the laurel wilt pathogen (Raffaelea lauricola).

Author
item MENOCAL, OCTAVIO - University Of Florida
item CRUZ, LUISA - University Of Florida
item Kendra, Paul
item CRANE, JONATHAN - University Of Florida
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2017
Publication Date: 7/17/2017
Citation: Menocal, O., L. F. Cruz, P. E. Kendra, J. H. Crane, and D. Carrillo. 2017. Xyleborus bispinatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) reared on artificial media using sawdust from avocado or silkbay in presence or absence of the laurel wilt pathogen (Raffaelea lauricola). 100th Annual Meeting of the Florida Entomological Society. Isla Verde, PR. 16-20 Jul 2017.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was reported in Florida for the first time in 2013. Previously, it was unrecognized and not distinguished from the morphologically similar Xyleborus ferrugineus (F.). Like other members of the tribe Xyleborini, X. ferrugineus (and possibly X. bispinatus) can cause economic damage in lowland areas of the Neotropics. In addition, when breeding in a host infected with laurel wilt, X. bispinatus has been found to incorporate the laurel wilt pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola T. C Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva; Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae) into its mycangia and may potentially function as a vector of the disease in avocado (Persea americana Mill.; Laurales: Lauraceae). The main objective of this study was to evaluate three artificial media containing sawdust from avocado or silkbay (Persea humilis Nash) for rearing X. bispinatus under laboratory conditions. In addition, the media was inoculated with R. lauricola to evaluate its effect on the biological parameters of X. bispinatus. Two of the media supported prolific reproduction of X. bispinatus, but the avocado-based medium was better than the silkbay-based medium. The presence of R. lauricola had a neutral or enhancing effect on beetle reproduction. However, the pathogen was recovered from few individuals reared in inoculated media and showed limited colonization of the beetle's mycangia. Raffaelea lauricola was frequently recovered from beetle galleries. The two media with lower water content were best for rearing X. bispinatus under laboratory conditions.