Laurel Wilt Disease

Laurel wilt is a deadly disease of redbay (Persea borbonia) and other tree species in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). The disease is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea lauricola) that is introduced into host trees by a nonnative insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). 

Laurel Wilt Symptoms

Brown leaves

Strings of compacted ambrosia beetle sawdust on redbay

Laurel Wilt in Florida Video

Laurel Wilt Disease Updates

• Forest and Shade Tree Pests: Laurel Wilt [ 744.6 kB ] (Florida Forest Service)
• Forest Insects: Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt (Florida Forest Service)
• Pest Alert: The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Scolytinae: Curculionidae) [ 1.3 MB ]

Laurel Wilt Working Group Updates

• Laurel Wilt Update Spring 2014 [ 1.3 MB ]

Laurel Wilt in Avocado Trees

• Proposed Grove Strategies [ 447.7 kB ]  
• Save the Guac Campaign
• UF/IFAS Management Recommendations

Laurel Wilt Disease Distribution Map

• Positive Florida Counties by Year [ 660.2 kB ]  

How to Submit a Sample

• Specimen Submission Form[ ]
• Suspect Beetle Samples [ 331.8 kB ]
• Suspect Plant Samples

Host Descriptions

• Avocado (Persea americana)[ ] (UF/IFAS)
• Red Bay (Persea borbonia) (UF/IFAS)
• Sassafras Tree (Sassafras albidum)[ ] (U.S. Forest Service)