Colonization of Trees by Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Is Influenced by Duration of Flood Stress

Abstract The ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) and crassiusculus (Motschulsky) bore into flood-stressed trees to establish colonies, but the influence of flooding duration on colonization is unknown. This relationship was examined by for various time periods evaluating colonization. In one experiment, X. bored 20 dogwood (Cornus florida L.) during a 3-d flood treatment. Ten dissected that season had no offspring present in tunnels; remaining appeared healthy bloomed following spring. another were flooded 3 or 7 d then assess incidence superficial (short unbranched) healed (callus tissue entrance) tunnels greater trees, while with 7-d trees. Four experiments (three Ohio Virginia) treatments 0 (nonflooded), 3, 5, 7, 10 d. Numbers tunnel entrances, germanus, live foundresses tended increase as increased apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.), dogwood, redbud (Cercis canadensis Virginia. Nonflooded boring activity, three nonflooded Indicators unsuccessful colonization, such healing, decreased increased. These results suggest tree crops may recover from short-duration events, not necessarily require culling.