- Author: Ben Faber
Ambrosia beetles, which are a large group of several thousand species worldwide, belong to the bark beetles. All species are characterized by the ability to cultivate fungi. Invasive Shot Hole Borers that attack avocado and a range of native and landscape trees in California and the Laurel Wilt Disease that hammers avocado in Florida are ambrosia beetles. These beetles cultivate fungi in living trees and over time, the fungus is what kills the tree.
Beetles share the work of cultivating their fungal gardens: some...
- Author: Ben Faber
Next up on Ag Experts Talking is Laurel Wilt Disease which is causing major damage in the native tree populations of the south east United States and the avocado groves in particular. Learn what is being done there and what the potential threat is to California avocados.
What Are the UC Ag Experts Talking About?
What is involved in the webinars?
A series of 1 hour webinars, designed for growers and Pest Control Advisors, will highlight various pest management and horticultural topics for citrus and avocados. During each session, a UC Expert on the subject will make a presentation and entertain write-in questions via chat during and/or after the presentation. As we develop this...
- Author: Sonia Rios
Through DNA sequencing, UCR entomologist have determined that we have two separate invasions of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) here in southern California attacking avocados. One invasion in San Diego County and the second in Los Angeles County. UCR entomologist, Richard Stouthamer states the two are different species genetically, but morphologically they are indistinguishable, luckily they both respond to the same lure. They do however carry different fungal symbionts with them.
The species that has invaded San Diego, is now known as the Kuroshio shot hole borer, and is originally found only in two places in the presumed native range: highlands of Taiwan and in...
