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The "Asian" ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), is an important pest of many tree species both in the nursery and the landscape. The beetles attack species such as Bradford pear, golden raintree, Kwanzan cherry, chestnut, pecan, fruit trees, dogwood, willow and other species that break bud in late spring. The beetles attack the trunk of the tree and push the frass out of their galleries in a typical toothpick fashion. The beetles innoculate the galleries with ambrosia fungus on which the brood feeds. Emerging beetles can be trapped using an ethyl alcohol bait. Beetle emergence indicates the appropriate time to scout trees for beetle attacks. Susceptible nursery trees (ones with delayed dormancy) are only attacked in early spring. Dormant trees shipped south in late spring from northern nurseries are often attacked. |
For additional information on the "Asian" ambrosia betle see the Featured Creatures Web site at http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/asian_ambrosia_beetle.htm
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