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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #341676
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Behavioral assays for evaluating host preferences of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

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

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2017
Publication Date: 7/18/2017
Citation: Owens, D., P. E. Kendra, W. S. Montgomery, T. I. Narvaez, N. Tabanca, and D. Carrillo. 2017. Behavioral assays for evaluating host preferences of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). 100th Annual Meeting of the Florida Entomological Society. Isla Verde, PR. 16-20 Jul 2017.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 2010, the exotic ambrosia beetle, Euwallacea nr. fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was first discovered in Florida avocado groves. Introduction of its symbiotic Fusarium spp. fungi into galleries in the xylem tissue results in Fusarium-dieback disease. Unlike most ambrosia beetles, E.nr. fornicatus colonizes healthy trees and does not appear to be greatly attracted to ethanol, the primary ambrosia beetle kairomone that is indicative of tree stress. Populations in south Florida have been increasing in recent years, leading to significant damage in two commercial groves in 2016 and 2017. As part of a research effort to identify host-based attractants, laboratory and field tests were initiated to evaluate host preferences. Laboratory evaluations of the three avocado horticultural races indicated that the West Indian race is the most attractive for boring. Of potential hosts evaluated in field tests, greatest boring was observed on baited castor and avocado bolts. Volatiles were collected from host wood for chemical analysis and electrophysiological assays to identify potential kairomone attractants.