Mizell, R. F.

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), the granulate ambrosia beetle, was one of the first highly-destructive ambrosia beetles introduced into the southern U.S in the 1970's where it was found in South Carolina (Kovach 1986). The Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, was first detected in the U.S. in South Georgia in 2002. This beetle and its associated fungi, the laurel wilt fungus Raffaelea laurelensis and others have caused substantial destruction to native redbay (Persea borbonia) in GA, SC, FL and elsewhere. This beetle-pathogen complex also poses a threat to commercial avocado production in the U.S., Central and South America as well as to valuable other Persea spp. and related plants (Laureacea) that are known hosts. As an addition here, 10 years of the spring appearances (Fig.1) of X. crassiusculus in North Florida is offered for future comparisons. A second unusual appearance is the finding and working with UV mulch and ethanol, as a surprising attraction of X. crassiusculus and other ambrosia beetles including X. glabratus. It was also found that the ambrosia beetles do not respond to yellow and green as expected by most. Also, adding burlap was found to be attractive (increases dead and dying appearing trees) as is silver metallic like UV mulch, while camouflage (camo) was found to work like yellow and green. These occurrences led to the invention and development of UV mulch with new traps to better monitor ambrosia beetles. New traps led to new uses for yellow, green and camo to monitor and decrease damage and losses from ambrosia beetles. The data are presented as evaluated and appear in the figures, discussion and a supplemental section.