Article
Microbiology
Ross Joseph, Kamaldeep Bansal, Nemat O. O. Keyhani
Summary: Ambrosia beetles require their fungal symbiotic partner as their food source, and the invasive beetle Xyleborus glabratus has caused the deaths of over 300 million trees by vectoring a plant pathogenic fungus. The study found that the indigenous ambrosia beetle X. affinis can also be colonized by the same fungus, indicating potential host switching behavior.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ross Joseph, Michelle Lasa, Yonghong Zhou, Nemat O. Keyhani
Summary: The study focused on the metabolic and physiological characteristics of R. lauricola, revealing its relatively restricted carbon utilization, broad sulfur and phosphate utilization, and sensitivities to pH and osmotic pressure that could be rescued by specific compounds.
Article
Microbiology
Octavio Menocal, Luisa F. Cruz, Paul E. Kendra, Marielle Berto, Daniel Carrillo
Summary: The study found that the Florida endemic ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus bispinatus, can establish persistent associations with different species of fungi, including those from other invasive ambrosia beetles. The stability of these symbiotic relationships affects the beetle's reproduction.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Marc A. Hughes, Katherine E. Smith, Andrew Sims, Junli Zhang, Benjamin W. Held, Robert A. Blanchette, Jason A. Smith
Summary: Laurel wilt disease has caused significant mortality to Persea borbonia in the southeastern United States, with the invasive ambrosia beetle serving as the primary vector. The study found that certain clones of P. borbonia exhibit resistance to R. lauricola, indicating the presence of rare individuals with tolerance to the pathogen. Identifying and utilizing these disease-resistant germplasm is crucial for restoration efforts in affected areas.
Article
Agronomy
Octavio Menocal, Paul E. Kendra, Armando Padilla, Pollyana C. Chagas, Edvan A. Chagas, Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo
Summary: A study in South Florida found that reducing canopy cover can suppress the abundance of ambrosia beetles, which transmit laurel wilt disease in avocado trees. The research also revealed that meteorological factors have a significant influence on the flight dispersal of these beetles, affecting the spread of the disease.
Article
Microbiology
Joao P. M. Araujo, You Li, Tuan A. Duong, Matthew E. Smith, Sawyer Adams, Jiri Hulcr
Summary: Symbiotic relationships between beetles and fungi have evolved multiple times, with some of the most diverse and economically important being mutualistic associations where beetles cultivate and feed on fungi. This study proposes four new species of Harringtonia associated with beetles from Belize and Florida, aiming to contribute to a more comprehensive phylogenetic framework for future research on these beetle-fungi relationships and their potential impact on global crops and forests.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saul A. Luna-Hernandez, Israel Bonilla-Landa, Alfonso Reyes-Luna, Alfredo Rodriguez-Hernandez, Ulises Cuapio-Munoz, Luis A. Ibarra-Juarez, Gabriel Suarez-Mendez, Felipe Barrera-Mendez, Irving D. Perez-Landa, Francisco J. Enriquez-Medrano, Ramon E. Diaz De Leon-Gomez, Jose L. Olivares-Romero
Summary: Xyleborus sp beetles, invasive to the United States and Mexico, carry a fungal disease causing Laurel Wilt affecting over 300 tree species. Research on neonicotinoids analogs showed compounds with absolute R configuration displaying high insecticidal activity against these beetles. Enantioenriched compounds with cation-pi interactions and hydrogen bonds were found to be responsible for the activity.
Article
Ecology
Samuel F. Ward, John J. Riggins
Summary: This study analyzed the invasion patterns and driving factors of laurel wilt in the southeastern United States. Laurel wilt was detected in 275 counties, with a deceleration in spread after 5 years and a decline in the number of invasions in 2021 compared to 2020. Anthropogenic movement and habitat invasibility were found to increase the risk of invasion. Possible reasons for the decline in invasions include disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the exhaustion of suitable habitats.
Review
Forestry
Won Il Choi, Dong-Hyeon Lee, Jong Bin Jung, Young-Seuk Park
Summary: This study reviewed the historical occurrence, disease cycle, and potential causes of oak decline syndrome in South Korea and Japan. Korean oak wilt (KOW) is associated with Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae fungus and the ambrosia beetle Platypus koryoensis. Yeasts may have a symbiotic relationship with the vector beetle. The novel occurrence of KOW in Korea may be due to an increase in tree age or climate change.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Derrick Conover, Thomson Paris, Xavier Martini
Summary: The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, is a significant pest of Laurel trees in the southeastern USA due to its symbiotic association with the pathogenic fungus Harringtonia lauricola. This study evaluated the interaction of different species of ambrosia beetles with infected redbay trees and found that X. glabratus was the primary vector of H. lauricola, while other ambrosia beetles had minimal contribution to the spread of the disease.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Raiza Castillo-Argaez, Aime Vazquez, Joshua L. Konkol, Ana Vargas, Randy C. Ploetz, Edgardo Etxeberria, Bruce Schaffer
Summary: Laurel wilt, caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, affects tree physiology and xylem anatomy, leading to decreased CO2 assimilation and sap flow. Avocado cv Waldin shows lower susceptibility to laurel wilt compared to forest species, possibly due to larger xylem vessel diameter and higher leaf chlorophyll index.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tomoki Nakamura, Unang Supratman, Desi Harneti, Rani Maharani, Takuya Koseki, Yoshihito Shiono
Summary: This study isolated seven compounds from a fungus causing Japanese oak wilt disease, including two new compounds. Compounds 1, 2, and 7 showed weak phytotoxic activity in lettuce seedlings.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Morgan C. Knutsen, Lynne K. Rieske
Summary: Laurel wilt disease is causing massive mortality of redbay trees in coastal forests and is now also affecting sassafras in Kentucky. A study found that not only the redbay ambrosia beetle, but also other insects, including the granulate ambrosia beetle, are vectors for the disease. This expands our knowledge of the disease transmission and its impact on different tree species.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Li, Huan Li, Xiaolei Ding, Lichao Wang, Xinyang Wang, Fengmao Chen
Summary: This paper provides a summary of common techniques used to detect Pine wilt disease (PWD), emphasizing the importance of comprehending the complex relationship among pinewood nematodes, vectors, and host pine trees. The paper suggests that multiple perspective evaluations based on these techniques are crucial for the rapid and effective detection of PWD, including during asymptomatic stages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Samuel F. Ward, John J. Riggins
Summary: The rate at which invading organisms disperse into novel habitats is important for their distribution and abundance. The assumption of constant invasion speed can affect the effectiveness of delimitation surveys and eradication programs. Understanding the mechanisms underlying spatiotemporal variation in spread can improve forecasts and guide management. The study investigated rates of spread by laurel wilt using three approaches and found that spread was highly anisotropic, with different speeds in different directions.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)