Tamala palustris

Common in appropriate habitat in the coastal areas of NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA and all of FL. Currently, widespread tree mortality is occurring in coastal SC, GA and FL due to a fungal disease spread by a newly-established ambrosia beetle from Asia. First observed in 2003, this disease is spreading rapidly and it is unknown whether there are an abiotic or biotic factors that will prevent it from spreading throughout P. palustris' range. No effective treatment is known, although research is ongoing.

Most of SE United States.

Widespread mortality of Persea palustris is currently occurring in the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida due to a fungal disease spread by a newly-established ambrosia beetle from Asia. Tree mortality was first observed in Georgia and South Carolina in 2003; as of 2007, the disease has been confirmed in all of Georgia's coastal counties and is moving northward in South Carolina, southward in Florida, and inland. Natural spread is estimated to be 20 miles per year, but jumps of much greater distance can occur through transport of infested firewood, wood chips, logs, etc. It is apparently unknown at this time whether there are any abiotic or biotic limitations that will prevent the disease from spreading throughout the range of P. palustris; infestation appears to be most widespread in Georgia currently because the beetle is believed to have entered the U.S. at Savannah's Port Wentworth. No effective treatment for infected trees is known at this time, although research is ongoing. (Adapted from Johnson et al. 2007 and Bryant 2007).