The avocado industry is on alert to understand more about the wood-boring granulate ambrosia beetle found in Auckland, says NZ Avocados chief executive, Jen Scoular. The beetles are fungus farmers, she told Rural News. “A range of exotic ambrosia beetles have an association with the Lauraceae family of trees, which includes avocado. Although the fungi isolated to date from Auckland has not been identified as a major concern to tree health, the avocado industry remains on alert to understand more about this beetle and its ability to vector more serious pathogenic fungi.”

“Although the granulate ambrosia beetle has only been found on limited types of trees in west Auckland, overseas it has been shown to attack over 100 species in over 40 plant families.”

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) told Rural News while avocado is the main crop affected by a beetle pest found in Auckland, it could also impact other broadleaf crops such as stone fruit.

The wood-boring granulate ambrosia beetle has been located in Blockhouse Bay, Kumeu, Riverhead and Titirangi, MPI says. “The beetle tends to mainly affect weak or diseased trees.”

The beetles transmit the fungi into tunnels that they excavate and in doing so leave tell-tale noodle-like sawdust protrusions.

Biosecurity NZ is asking the public to report any sign of the wood-boring granulate ambrosia beetle. The pest has been detected in five Auckland areas since February 20.