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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #402952
Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Keeping up with ambrosia beetles

Author
item Cottrell, Ted
item BARMAN, APURBA - University Of Georgia
item HUDSON, WILLIAM - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Pecan South
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2023
Publication Date: 4/1/2023
Citation: Cottrell, T.E., Barman, A.K., Hudson, W.G. 2023. Keeping up with ambrosia beetles. Pecan South. 56/6-13.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: When ambrosia beetles bore into trees, they leave behind evidence of their activity in the form of either sawdust or a toothpick of sawdust protruding from the entrance hole. Ambrosia beetles are commonly detected on warm winter days in late January but typically begin activity in earnest by mid- to late February across the southeastern U.S. Although there are 2-3 generations of ambrosia beetles each year, those beetles moving from woods to orchards during late winter/early spring generally cause most issues for pecan. When sawdust or toothpicks are first detected on the ethanol-baited wood bolt, immediate treatment of susceptible pecan trees is necessary.