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Redbay Ambrosia Beetle
Very little is known about the life cycle and biology of Xyleborus glabratus. Adult females construct galleries in the sapwood and inoculate the galleries with a fungus (Ophiostoma sp., vascular wilt pathogen). The adults and larvae feed on fungi and not on the wood of the damaged host plant. Females are believed to be able to fly 2-3 km in search of a host. Males are dwarfed, haploid, and flightless and are rarely seen.
Hosts
In the US, Xyleborus glabratus has been associated with redbay and sassafras. The Ophiostoma fungus associated with Xyleborus glabratus has also been recovered from pond spice, indicating that this plant may also be a host. All plants are members of the family Lauraceae and are important to wildlife as browse and fruit plants. Redbay also serves as host to larvae of the Palamedes swallowtail (Papilio palamedes (Drury)), which feeds primarily on species of Persea.
Control
No tested or proven treatments for the managing Xyleborus glabratus and its associated fungus. Like other exotic species, Xyleborus glabratus will continue to naturally expand its range. In order to reduce its spread, no wood or chips from infested trees should be transported out of the local area.