Source: NCDA&CS, 8/19/20


Since 2002, nearly all redbay trees have been disappearing in areas south of North Carolina. First detected in Georgia, the nonnative redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, carried these redbay trees to their dooms by introducing a deadly fungus. While the redbay ambrosia beetle is only about 1/16 inch long, it packs quite a punch against trees in the laurel family, including redbay and sassafras. However, it couldn’t complete its attack without its accomplice: the laurel wilt fungus, Raffaelea lauricola.

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