AMBROSIA BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE: SCOLYTINAE) THAT BREED IN AVOCADO WOOD IN FLORIDA

Laurel wilt is a destructive disease caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, which is transmitted by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. Here we document ambrosia beetles that emerged from wilted avocado trees throughout Florida. In addition, the ambrosia beetle fauna associated with wilted swampbay trees in Miami-Dade was studied. Fourteen species of scolytine beetles were found associated with avocado wood from different parts of Florida. Multiple species of ambrosia beetles were found breeding in avocado and swampbay wood infected by R. lauricola with or without the presence of its primary vector, X. glabratus. Work is under way to determine whether other ambrosia beetle species can carry R. lauricola and transmit this pathogen to healthy avocado and swampbay trees.