Laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola) is a fungal pathogen of trees and shrubs of the Laurel family. It is a native of Asia and was first detected in Georgia in 2002.
The disease is caused by a fungus that is introduced into host plants by a non-native insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle. The fungus has caused widespread and severe levels of redbay mortality in the Southeastern coastal plain.
For more information about this plant pest, see the CABI data sheet.