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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #372650
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Comparison of repellents for Euwallacea nr. fornicatus, vector of Fusarium dieback in avocado

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item NARVAEZ, TERESA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Schnell, Elena
item VAZQUEZ, AIME - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2020
Publication Date: 4/27/2020
Citation: Kendra, P. E., W. S. Montgomery, T. I. Narvaez, E. Q. Schnell, A. Vázquez, N. Tabanca, and D. Carrillo. 2020. Comparison of repellents for Euwallacea nr. fornicatus, vector of Fusarium dieback in avocado. 3rd Virtual Symposium of the International Branch of the Entomological Society of America. 27-29 Apr 2020. https://www.entsoc.org/international/chemical-ecology-posters

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ambrosia beetles morphologically identical to tea shot-hole borer, Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), have recently established in the USA, Israel, and other countries. Species in the E. near fornicatus complex vector fungal pathogens that cause Fusarium dieback, a vascular disease of avocado (Persea americana Miller), woody ornamentals, and native forest trees. Previously, we identified piperitone as a new repellent for E. nr. fornicatus in Florida. In this study, we compare efficacy of piperitone to two other repellents, verbenone and a-farnesene. Two 12-wk field tests were conducted in commercial avocado groves. Each test compared captures of beetles in sticky traps baited with a 2-component lure (quercivorol and a-copaene) versus captures in traps containing lures plus repellent. To complement field tests, SuperQ collections followed by GC analyses were performed to quantify emissions from repellent dispensers over a 12-week period. In addition, electroantennography (EAG) was used to measure beetle olfactory response to each repellent. Overall, repellency was comparable with piperitone and verbenone, resulting in 50-70% decrease in beetle captures, with longevity of 10-12 weeks. No significant decrease in captures was observed with a-farnesene. EAG responses to piperitone and verbenone were equivalent, and significantly greater than response to a-farnesene. Since piperitone is much less expensive than verbenone, this study identifies a new economical repellent for IPM of E. nr. fornicatus in Florida. Preliminary data from additional tests indicate that piperitone may also be a repellent for Xyleborus glabratus, vector of laurel wilt, but not for most other species of ambrosia beetle.