Monitoring and reporting in near real-time the flight activity of Ambrosia beetles in tree orchards and nurseries

Exotic ambrosia beetles are destructive insects of trees growing in ornamental nurseries and orchards. Xylosandrus crassiusculus and Xylosandrus germanus are two of the most problematic species. Adults burrow into stems where they cultivate a nutritional fungal symbiont that serves as the sole source of nourishment for the larvae and adults. Both X. crassiusculus and X. germanus overwinter as adults in host trees within woodlands adjacent to tree crops. Adults emerge in spring and disperse into tree cropping systems in search of weakened trees emitting stress-induced ethanol. Management tactics rely on maintaining tree health, early detection of infestations, and preventive applications of conventional insecticides. Monitoring flight activitity is achieved using ethanol as an attractant. Traps are baited with pouch-style lures and deployed at the woodland and tree crop interface. Stem sections (i.e., bolts) can also be soaked in ethanol solutions, deployed at the woodland/tree crop interface, and monitored for burrowing by beetles. A trapping network has been established with researchers in FL, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA  as part of multistate efforts to improve the management of ambrosia beetles in the Eastern US. Collaborators will deploy ethanol-baited traps and ethanol-soaked bolts in early spring months in ornamental nurseries and tree orchards prior to the flight of overwintering adults. Captures will be monitored on a daily to weekly basis and will be displayed in near-real time on the internet. These efforts will provide an early detection system for growers, extension agents, and researchers to assist with management tactics.