Studies on the flight capabilities of Xyleborus glabratus
Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and its fungal symbiont Raffaelea lauricola (both EPPO Alert List) cause laurel wilt disease in Southeastern USA. Laboratory studies using flight mills have been conducted in the USA to assess the flight capabilities of X. glabratus. In this study, flight capabilities of X. glabratus (an introduced species of Asian origin) were also compared with those of a North American ambrosia beetle Monarthrum mali. Over a 24 h trial period, the average flight distance of X. glabratus was 21 m with a maximum flight distance of 28 m. It was observed that, during the same period, M. mali flew longer distances than X. glabratus. These results suggest that without anthropogenic transport or wind-aided dispersal, the capacity of X. glabratus for natural spread is limited. It was roughly estimated that X. glabratus might be able to spread up to 250 m within forests during a period of 2 weeks and that flights of more than 10 m per day would probably be rare. However, it is noted that field studies are necessary to prove the validity of these estimates.
Sources
Seo M, Martini X, Rivera MJ, Stelinski LL (2017) Flight capacities and diurnal flight patterns of the Ambrosia beetles, Xyleborus glabratus and Monarthrum mali (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environmental Entomology 46(3), 729-734.