Redbay Ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) is an insect pest of trees in the Lauraceae family. It is a native of Asia and was first detected in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in 2002.
This ambrosia beetle transmits laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola) which serves as a food source for the beetle and also causes infected plants to rapidly wilt and die. This is just one of many forest pests that are moved to un-infested forests by humans moving firewood. Help to protect our forests: don't move firewood!
For more information about this plant pest, see the CAPS data sheet and the CABI data sheet.