Ambrosiodmus rubricollis

Wood & Bright, 1992

Ambrosiodmus rubricollis is an to eastern and southern Asia that has been to Europe and North America. As a member of the Ambrosiodmus, it maintains a mutualistic with the -rot Flavodon ambrosius, which is capable of true wood decomposition—an unusual trait among ambrosia beetles. The has been documented attacking young Tasmanian gum trees (Eucalyptus globulus) in Portugal and has been detected in Slovenia and Italy. Its introduction to non-native regions raises concern given the potential of Ambrosiodmus species to pathogenic fungi.

Ambrosiodmus rubricollis 129944118 by Tyler. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Ambrosiodmus (10.3897-zookeys.768.24697) Figure 3 by Gomez DF, Rabaglia RJ, Fairbanks KEO, Hulcr J (2018) North American Xyleborini north of Mexico: a review and key to genera and species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae). ZooKeys 768: 19-68. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.768.24697. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Xyleborini (10.3897-zookeys.983.52630) Figure 12 by Smith SM, Beaver RA, Cognato AI (2020) A monograph of the Xyleborini (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) of the Indochinese Peninsula (except Malaysia) and China. ZooKeys 983: 1-442.. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ambrosiodmus rubricollis: //æmˌbroʊ.siˈɒd.məs ˌruː.brɪˈkɒl.ɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other by asperities (small, rough projections) covering the entire surface of the . This characteristic was specifically noted as the diagnostic feature enabling identification of specimens in Slovenia.

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Habitat

Deciduous temperate forests; commercial plantations of Tasmanian gum (Eucalyptus globulus).

Distribution

to eastern and southern Asia; to Europe (Italy, Slovenia, Portugal) and North America. GBIF records indicate presence in Australia, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), Middle America, North America, and Southern Asia.

Diet

Feeds on cultivated in -constructed galleries. Based on -level research, the primary fungal is Flavodon ambrosius, a -rot decay fungus capable of decomposing wood and converting it into nutritious food for the beetle.

Behavior

Attracted to ethanol-baited traps. Constructs galleries in wood where fungal gardens are cultivated. remain in galleries to reproduce, enabling development of semi-social colonies.

Ecological Role

As an , participates in a with Flavodon ambrosius that facilitates wood decomposition. The its fungal between trees. May contribute to tree decline in plantation settings, though its specific role as a primary or remains unclear.

Human Relevance

Potential forest pest in non- ranges. Documented attacking young Eucalyptus globulus in commercial plantations in Portugal. Concern exists regarding ability to pathogenic , though direct evidence of tree mortality caused by this is limited.

Similar Taxa

  • Xylosandrus germanusBoth are non- in Europe detected through similar methods (ethanol-baited traps). Distinguished by pronotal asperities in A. rubricollis versus different pronotal sculpturing in X. germanus.
  • Ambrosiophilus atratusCo-occurs as a non- in Slovenia; both were first recorded in the same 2017 effort. Separated by morphological characteristics including pronotal features.
  • Other Ambrosiodmus speciesShare the unusual wood-decomposing fungal with Flavodon ambrosius. Specific identification requires examination of pronotal asperities and other subtle morphological differences.

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Sources and further reading