Aaron Isaà Plex Sulá, BS
PhD Student
Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Gainesville, FL, USA
Romaric Armel Mouafo-Tchinda, PhD
PhD
Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
GAINESVILLE, Florida, United States
Berea A. Etherton, PhD
PhD
Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Robin Choudhury, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, TX, USA
Rio Grande Valley, Texas, United States
Romina Gazis, PhD
Associate Professor
Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
Homestead, Florida, United States
Ben Faber
Cooperative Extension, University of California, Ventura, CA, USA
Ventura, California, United States
Daniel Carrillo
Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
Homestead, Florida, United States
Jonathan Crane, PhD
Professor
Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Homestead, Florida, United States
Karen A. Garrett, PhD
Preeminent Professor
Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Laurel wilt, caused by the fungus Harringtonia lauricola and transmitted by ambrosia beetles, is a serious threat to avocado production. The pathogen also has the potential to reach forests in many Lauraceae-rich regions globally, highlighting the need for proactive surveillance and management strategies. We integrated three geographic risk factors (trade network, host landscape connectivity, and climate suitability) associated with the potential global spread of this pathogen. Ambrosia beetles carrying the pathogen can be introduced in wood packing material. We analyzed the global network of wood packing material to identify which countries are at greater risk for introduction or reintroduction of the pathogen. Using the new geohabnet R package, we evaluated habitat connectivity for the pathogen based on maps of the global host distribution of 1872 Lauraceae species and estimating environmental suitability for the pathogen. Analysis of global wood trade identified several disease-free countries that have multiple trade links to countries with laurel wilt. Habitat connectivity analysis indicated locations in the southwestern and eastern US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America for laurel wilt surveillance. In future climate scenarios, the geographic range matching current suitable climate conditions for laurel wilt could extend substantially. These results highlight the vulnerability of the Lauraceae worldwide, and provide candidate priorities for strengthening regional, national, and global strategies for mitigating laurel wilt.