Rearing Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Xyleborus Glabratus (coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), on Semi-artificial Media

Semi-artificial diets consisting of redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.; Laurales: Lauraceae) sawdust and various nutrients were tested for rearing Xyleborus glabratus Eichoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in vitro. Comparison of 2 media, modified and standard, adapted from Biedermann et al. (2009) showed that the more solid consistency of the modified medium resulted in greater rates of successful brood production in cultures. A 2-layered medium structure with a nutrient rich lower layer and a nutrient poor upper layer proved to be superior to a single-layered structure. Using a 2-layered structure, 72.5% of foundresses successfully produced brood, which was similar to or greater than success rates of X. glabratus under natural field conditions. The most successful media recipes used finely ground wood from redbay, but some successful brood production also occurred when wood from pondberry (Lindera melissifolia ) (Walter) Blume; Laurales: Lauraceae) and California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.; Laurales: Lauraceae) were used instead of redbay. A 2-layered structure with nutrient levels slightly higher than those in the modified medium of Biedermann et al. (2009) is recommended for rearing X. glabratus