Evaluation of monitoring methods for the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), a new invasive species from southeast Asia

A non-native insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff was discovered in the United States in 2002. This invasive species from Southeast Asia is now established in coastal forests of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida and has been reported in Mississippi, North Carolina and Alabama. The beetle carries the laurel wilt fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, which is lethal to members of the family Lauraceae: redbay, sassafras, camphor, silkbay, pondspice, bay laurel, the endangered pondberry, and several cultivated trees of economic importance. The redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt fungus pose a serious threat to the $13 million-a-year avocado crop of the state of Florida. Currently there are no control measures for this pest and very little is known about the biology of the beetle and its interactions with various host trees. Also, there are no records from the Apalachicola National Forest, a large protected area in Panhandle Florida. Preliminary data indicated that one dominant and four semidominat species of Xyleborus were present in the Apalachicola National Forest. Here we report survey results from the Apalachicola Forest comparing two attractants, a) a mixture of manuka and phoebe oil, and b) ethanol gel attractants, and provide useful information on monitoring Scolytinae.