title: Distribution, Pest Status and Fungal Associates of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus in Florida Avocado Groves.
abstract: Members of a complex of cryptic species, that correspond morphologically to the ambrosia beetleEuwallacea fornicatus(Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), were recently found attacking avocado (Persea americanaMill.) in Israel and California. In early 2016, an outbreak of another member of this species complex was detected infesting approximately 1500 avocado trees in an avocado orchard at Homestead, Florida. An area-wide survey was conducted in commercial avocado groves of Miami-Dade County, Florida to determine the distribution and abundance ofE.nr.fornicatus, to identify different populations ofE.nr.fornicatusand their fungal associates, and to assess the extent of damage to avocado trees.Ewallaceanr.fornicatuswere captured in 31 of the 33 sampled sites. A sample of 35 beetles from six different locations was identified asE. nr.fornicatussp. #2, which is genetically distinct from the species causing damage in California and Israel. Eleven fungal associates were identified: an unknownFusariumsp., AF-8, AF-6,Graphium euwallaceae, Acremoniumsp.Acremonium morum,Acremonium masseei,Elaphocordycepssp. and three yeast species. The unknownFusariumisolates were the most abundant and frequently found fungus species associated with adult beetles and lesions surrounding the beetle galleries. In addition to fungal associates, three bacteria species were found associated with adultE.nr.fornicatus. Visual inspections detected significant damage in only two orchards. A large number of beetles were captured in locations with no apparent damage on the avocado trees suggesting thatE.nr.fornicatusare associated with other host(s) outside the groves or with dead trees or branches inside the groves. More research is needed to determine the potential threatE.nr.fornicatusand its fungal associates pose to the avocado industry and agricultural and natural ecosystems in Florida.
authors.affiliation: IFAS-Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA. dancar@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.affiliation: IFAS-Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA. luisafcruz@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Luisa F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Miami, FL 33158, USA. Paul.Kendra@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Kendra
authors.affiliation: IFAS-Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA. tnarvaez1@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Teresa I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Narvaez
authors.affiliation: Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Miami, FL 33158, USA. wayne.montgomery@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Wayne S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.affiliation: Brooks Tropicals, LLC, Homestead, FL 33090, USA. Armando@brookstropicals.com.
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monterroso
authors.affiliation: IFAS-Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA. charlottedegrave@ufl.edu.|Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux B-5030, Belgium. charlottedegrave@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Grave
authors.affiliation: Otis Laboratory, Plant Protection and Quarantine's Science and Technology, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Buzzards Bay, MA 02542, USA. miriam.f.cooperband@aphis.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Miriam F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Cooperband
keywords: Fusarium; ambrosia beetles; symbiosis