Ornamental nurseries adjacent to hardwood-dominated woodlots pose more risk from exotic ambrosia beetles (Xylosandrus spp.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) than pine-dominated woodlots.

This article investigates the influence of hardwood- versus pine-dominated woodlots on the abundance of three exotic ambrosia beetle pests—Xylosandrus crassiusculus (granulate ambrosia beetle), Xylosandrus germanus (black stem borer), and Xylosandrus compactus (black twig borer)—adjacent to ornamental nurseries in mid-Georgia, USA. Using ethanol-lured traps deployed along the edges of four hardwood and four pine-dominated woodlots in 2023 and 2024, the study found significantly higher captures of X. crassiusculus and X. germanus near hardwood woodlots, while X. compactus captures were unaffected by woodlot type. The results suggest that hardwood woodlots pose a greater risk of ambrosia beetle infestation to nearby nurseries, although both woodlot types can serve as reservoirs over time, with stand age and tree health influencing beetle populations. These findings have implications for pest management strategies in nursery and orchard production systems adjacent to different forest types.