Acoustic detection of Mallodon dasystomus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Persea americana (Laurales: Lauraceae) branch stumps

Authors: Mankin, Richard; BURMAN, H - University Of Florida; MENOCAL, O - University Of Florida; CARRILLO, D - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2018
Publication Date: 6/15/2018
Citation: Mankin, R.W., Burman, H., Menocal, O., Carrillo, D. 2018. Acoustic detection of Mallodon dasystomus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Persea americana (Laurales: Lauraceae) branch stumps. Florida Entomologist. 101(2):321-323.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.101.0226

Interpretive Summary: The hardwood stump borer is a pest of injured hardwoods in southeastern forests and has recently been observed attacking avocado trees in commercial groves in southern Florida. Visual detection of a larval infestation is difficult because the larvae feed inside the trunk. Scientists at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, and the University of Florida, Homestead, Florida, employed previously developed acoustic methods for other wood boring insects to identify hardwood stump borer infested trees in avocado groves. It was found that both adults and larvae could be detected easily with currently available equipment. New procedures for acoustic surveillance of avocado groves for hardwood stump borer infestations are being developed for early detection of this pest before it becomes established.

Technical Abstract: Mallodon dasystomus Say is a pest of hardwood trees in the southern United States that recently began attacking trees in avocado groves in Miami-Dade County, FL. The larvae feed hidden inside the tree, and adult attractants have not been commercialized; consequently, this species is difficult to find in field environments. It was of interest to consider the potential use of insect acoustic detection devices to help survey the magnitude and locations M. dasystomus populations in commercial avocado groves so that the extent of their economic damage could be estimated. An insect acoustic detection system was tested in two avocado groves on 11 trees suspected of harboring infestations. Four infested trees were identified and six were correctly classified as uninfested. One uninfested tree was classified as infested, possibly due to the occurrence of wind during signal recording. The use of acoustic methods to detect M. dasystomus can be of benefit in estimating its economic damage to the Florida avocado industry already facing losses from laurel wilt, caused by Raffaelea lauricola, Harrington, Fraedrich, and Aghayeva, vectored by redbay ambrosia beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, and Fusarium dieback, vectored by Euwallacea nr. fornicatus.