ARS | Publication request: Species dependent influence of (-)alpha pinene on attraction of ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to ethanol-baited traps in nursery agroecosystems

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 4, 2011
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Citation: Ranger, C.M., Reding, M.E., Gandhi, K., Oliver, J., Schultz, P., Canas, L., Herms, D. 2011. Species dependent influence of (-)alpha pinene on attraction of ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to ethanol-baited traps in nursery agroecosystems. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104(2):574-579.

Interpretive Summary: In order to improve monitoring strategies for ambrosia beetles in ornamental nurseries, field-based trapping experiments were conducted in Ohio to determine the influence of a-pinene on the attraction of exotic and native ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps. Total captures of Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) were higher in 2003 in traps baited with ethanol plus a-pinene than in traps baited with ethanol alone. However, fewer Xyleborinus saxeseni (Ratzeburg) and Anisandrus (Xyleborus) sayi (Hopkins) were collected in 2003 from traps baited with ethanol plus (-)-a-pinene as compared to ethanol alone. a-Pinene also reduced the attraction of A. sayi and X. politus (Say) to ethanol-baited traps in 2004. In 2008, captures were compared for traps baited with eight combinations of ethanol and (-)-a-pinene at both ultra-high-release (UHR) and low release (LR) rates. Similar to 2003 and 2004, a-pinene UHR and a-pinene LR reduced the attractiveness of ethanol UHR to X. saxeseni and A. sayi. Ethanol UHR was also more attractive than ethanol LR to X. germanus, X. saxeseni, and A. sayi. These results demonstrate a-pinene can reduce the response of certain ambrosia beetle species to ethanol-baited traps. Ethanol release rate is also an important consideration for attracting and monitoring ambrosia beetles. Monitoring programs for ambrosia beetles in ornamental nurseries should focus on traps baited with ethanol alone at a release rate of at least 275 mg/day at 20 oC. However, companion traps baited with ethanol plus a-pinene could be useful for detecting recent introductions of exotic ambrosia beetles.

Technical Abstract: Field-based trapping experiments were conducted in Ohio in 2003, 2004, and 2008 to determine the influence of (-)-a-pinene on the attraction of exotic and native ambrosia beetles to ethanol-baited traps. In 2003 and 2004, we determined the effect of adding an (-)-a-pinene ultra-high-release lure (UHR; 750 mg/day at 20 oC) to traps baited with an ethanol UHR lure (275 mg/day). Total captures of Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) in 2003 were higher in traps baited with ethanol UHR plus (-)-a-pinene UHR than in traps with ethanol UHR alone, but not in 2004. Fewer Xyleborinus saxeseni (Ratzeburg) and Anisandrus (Xyleborus) sayi (Hopkins) were collected in 2003 from traps baited with ethanol UHR plus (-)-a-pinene UHR as compared to ethanol UHR. (-)-a-Pinene also reduced the attraction of A. sayi and Xyloterinus politus (Say) to ethanol-baited traps in 2004. In 2008, captures were compared for traps baited with eight combinations of ethanol and (-)-a-pinene at both UHR and low releases (LR), along with a blank trap. Release rates for ethanol LR and (-)-a-pinene LR were 30 mg/day and 300 mg/day, respectively. Similar to 2003 and 2004, (-)-a-pinene UHR and (-)-a-pinene LR reduced the attractiveness of ethanol UHR to X. saxeseni and A. sayi. Ethanol UHR was also more attractive than ethanol LR to X. germanus, X. saxeseni, and A. sayi. These results demonstrate (-)-a-pinene can reduce the response of certain ambrosia beetle species to ethanol-baited traps. Ethanol release rate is also an important consideration for attracting and monitoring ambrosia beetles.