EPPO Global Database

Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato(XYLBFO)

Distribution details in Israel

Situation
Current pest situation evaluated by EPPO on the basis of information dated 2017: Present, restricted distribution
First recorded in: 2009
From CABI Pest map 319 (2013): Present, no details
Comments
First found in 2009, serious threat to the avocado industry (as it transmits a Fusarium wilt disease). This beetle is morphologically indistinguishable from E. fornicatus but molecular data suggests that it is a distinct species. By 2016, the beetle had spread to nearly all avocado production areas.
References
* Mendel Z, Protasov A, Maoz Y, Maymon M, Miller G, Elazar M, Freeman S (2017) The role of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Scotytinae) in the wilt syndrome of avocado trees in Israel. Phytoparasitica 45(3), 341-359.

* Mendel Z, Protasov A, Sharon M, Zveibil A, Ben Yehuda S, O’Donnell K, Rabaglia R, Wysoki M, Freeman S (2012) An Asian ambrosia beetle Euwallacea fornicatus and its novel symbiotic fungus Fusarium sp. pose a serious threat to the Israeli avocado industry. Phytoparasitica 40(3), 235-238.