Journal of Applied Entomology (2019) 143, 1200-1204

Pedro Naves, Helena Bragança, Filomena Nóbrega and Carlos Valente (2019)
Ambrosiodmus rubricollis (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera; Curculionidae; Scolytinae) associated with young Tasmanian blue gum trees
Journal of Applied Entomology 143 (10), 1200-1204
Abstract: Eucalypts are among the most widely planted forest trees in the world, and outside their native Australian range, the main arthropod pests are sap‐sucking insects, defoliators, gall‐making insects and xylophagous beetles. We report on a new association between a polyphagous wood‐boring beetle and Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) in Central Portugal. Unidentified wood‐boring insects were found attacking two three‐year‐old E. globulus trees showing signs of decline among otherwise healthy trees in a commercial plantation, in June 2018. Declining trees presented dead twigs and branches, and recently developed epicormic sprouts evident on the trunks. Insects emerging from logs were identified as Ambrosiodmus rubricollis (Eichhoff), a species native to eastern and southern Asia, with the taxonomic identification validated by molecular analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first record of A. rubricollis associated with a eucalypt species worldwide. It is not clear whether the beetles played any significant role on the decline of the trees, but Ambrosiodmus may be potential pests for several tree and shrub species in Europe, as these beetles can transport pathogenic fungi.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Pedro Miguel Naves, Helena Bragança

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
new introduction of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ambrosiodmus rubricollis	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Portugal (continental)