Laurel wilt disease is an invasive disease complex caused by the fungal pathogen Raffaelea lauricola that is vectored by the redbay ambrosia beetle. It is a threat to all species in the Lauraceae family, which includes redbay, sassafras, and spicebush. Redbay ambrosia beetles carry the fungus and transmit fungal spores to host plants when they bore into plant tissue. The fungus infects the plant’s vascular system and causes leaves to wilt and turn brown. Tree mortality occurs soon after being infected. In Virginia, this disease could impact redbay trees in the southeast, and sassafras trees statewide.
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