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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366622
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Comparison of trap designs for detection of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus and other ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Florida avocado groves

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Narvaez, Teresa
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2019
Publication Date: 11/17/2019
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Narvaez, T.I., Carrillo, D. 2019. Comparison of trap designs for detection of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus and other ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Florida avocado groves. 67th Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. 17-20 Nov 2019.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Avocado production in Florida is currently threatened by two vascular diseases – laurel wilt and Fusarium dieback – both caused by fungal symbionts of ambrosia beetles. The primary vector of laurel wilt is redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, but in recent years the pathogen (Raffaelea lauricola) has transferred laterally to at least nine other species of ambrosia beetle, which now comprise a community of secondary vectors. Dieback disease, caused by Fusarium spp. fungi, is spread by shot-hole borers in the Euwallacea fornicatus species complex, established in Florida and California. In this study, we conducted several 10-week field tests in Florida avocado groves to compare efficacy of four trap designs for detection of pest ambrosia beetles. Treatments consisted of (a) 8-funnel Lindgren trap, (b) black 3-panel flight interception trap, (c) green 3-panel flight interception trap, (d) white sticky panel trap, and (e) unbaited sticky panel (control). In two tests for Euwallacea, traps were baited with a two-component lure consisting of a-copaene and quercivorol. In one test targeting other species, traps were baited with low-dose ethanol lures. For Euwallacea, sticky panels and black interception traps captured significantly more beetles than Lindgren traps; captures with green interception traps were intermediate. With ethanol-baited traps, 20 species of bark and ambrosia beetle were detected. Efficacy of trap design varied by species, but in general, sticky traps captured the highest number of beetles. Results indicate that sticky panel traps are more effective than Lindgren funnel traps, the current standard, and may provide a better alternative for growers and regulatory agencies for monitoring ambrosia beetles.