Homeowner Detection of and Recommendations for Mitigating Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

摘要

Update on the redbay ambrosia beetle - laurel wilt disease Currently the redbay ambrosia beetle-laurel wilt disease infestation has continued to spread west and south in Florida. Avocado trees have been reported as infested in Duval and Brevard Counties. Although one test for laurel wilt on avocado was positive in Homestead, efforts to detect and confirm the presence of laurel wilt disease in additional samples have been negative. As of this writing the red bay ambrosia beetle has not been detected in Miami Dade County. More sampling and testing is in progress. The natural spread of the redbay ambrosia beetle-laurel wilt disease (RAB-LW) through the natural areas (national and state park lands) has been estimated to be 15 to 34 miles per year. The rate of movement through urban areas of Florida via landscape redbay and avocado trees is unknown. Of continued concern is the potential human assisted spread of the RAB-LW to non-infested counties through the movement of infested wood or plant material.The redbay ambrosia beetle is attracted to volatiles naturally emitted by living trees, severed limbs, recent tree stumps, and wounded (pruned) trees of avocado (Persea americana) and redbay (Persea borbonia) trees.