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Student 10-Minute Paper

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Student Competition

Student

Grad Competition P-IE: Invasive Species 1

Investigating emerging sassafras wilt in the central hardwood forest region

Monday, November 6, 2023
9:00 AM – 9:12 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor 3
In-Person Student Competition
In 2019, wilting sassafras trees with symptoms of laurel wilt disease were observed in southern Indiana. However, neither its insect vector (Xyleborus glabratus) nor Harringtonia lauricola (previously Raffaelea lauricola) were isolated from these wilting sassafras at the time. Instead, two species of non-native ambrosia beetles (Xylosandrus germanus and Xylosandrus crassiusculus) were isolated. In addition, a novel fungal isolate, potentially related to Ophiostoma quercus, was recovered. The full range and severity of emerging sassafras wilt, as well as its causal agents, remain unknown yet wilting sassafras trees are still being reported. The purpose of this study was to better understand and document the range of sassafras wilt as well as investigate potential causal agents of wilt. Starting in 2022, we began to further survey for wilting trees based on initial reports from 2019. We have since recovered several X. germanus beetles from symptomatic material as well as an Ophiostoma-like fungus from their galleries. In this presentation, we will provide an update on the known range of wilting trees as well as the beetles and fungi living in/on wilting trees and discuss their potential role in wilting sassafras.