Ambrosia beetle community activity in redbay infected with laurel wilt

The redbay ambrosia beetle Xyleborus glabratus beetle has emerged as a significant pest of laurel trees Persea spp. [ Laurales: Lauraceae] in the Southeastern US, due to its association with the pathogenic fungal symbiont Raffaelea lauricola, (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae), the causal agent of the laurel wilt disease. We evaluated the interations of different species of ambrosia beetles with redbay trees Persea borbonia infected by R.lauricola. We measured landing rates and emergence rates of different ambrosia beetle species throughout the wilting process at different heights. Landing height was assessed passively in two redbay stands by placing staggered unbaited sticky traps arranged at three levels (low: -1 m; middle: 1-1.5 m; high: 1.5-2 m). In total, eight Scolytinae species were intercepted: Xyleborus volvulus, Xyleborinus saxasenii, Euplatypus compositus, Xyleborus bispinatus, Xyleborus affins and Xylosandrus crassiusculus. The Primary vector of R.lauracola, X. glabratus, was the most frequently collected species. Xyleborus volvulus females were the higher densities at the low level and X.bispinatus for the low and middle levels; however captures of all other species were comparable at all heights. Our results indicate the ambrosia beetle community involves multiple levels of interspecies interactions related to laurel wilt. This information may help with the developments and implementation of management strategies to control the spread of the disease.