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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #38816
Title: EFFICACY OF CARPOPHILUS (NITIDULIDAE:COLEOPTERA) AGGREGATION PHEROMONES ON NINE SPECIES IN NORTHEASTERN OHIO, AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE PHEROMONES OF C BRACHYPTERUS

Author
item WILLIAMS ROGER N - OHIO STATE UNIV, WOOSTER
item ELLIS M S - OHIO STATE UNIV, WOOSTER
item Bartelt, Robert

Submitted to: Entomologica Experimentalis et Applicata
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This paper continues our study of pheromones for sap beetles in the genus, Carpophilus. These beetles are worldwide pests of many crops, including corn, figs, dates, and stone fruits, both before and after harvest. Pheromones (natural chemicals that insects use to attract others of their kind) have been identified and synthesized for a number of Carpophilus species, and these are expected to have value in monitoring and controlling populations of these beetles. First, however, baseline information must be gathered to evaluate the activity of these chemicals under field conditions. The present study was conducted in an area of Ohio with a rich sap beetle fauna. In general, each species responded well to its own pheromone but tended to ignore the pheromones of other species. The specificity of these pheromones will be valuable as practical uses for them are developed. New information was learned about pheromonal communication in several previously unstudied sap beetles species, and the paper included one new pheromone identification.

Technical Abstract: Aggregation pheromones for seven Carpophilus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) species were field tested at the Moreland Fruit Farm during the summers of 1992 and 1993. The pheromones used were species specific for: Carpophilus antiquus (Melsheimer), C. brachypterus (Say), C. freemani Dobson, C. hemipterus (L.), C. lugubris Murray, C. mutilatus Erichson, and C. obsoletus Erichson. The pheromone of C. brachypterus was identified during the course of this study and is detailed herein. Each pheromone was used in conjunction with whole wheat bread dough, an effective coattractant. These seven treatments along with the control (whole wheat bread dough, by itself) were tested for attractiveness. In addition, cross-attraction among pheromones was noted. All species responded favorably to their own pheromones, with the exception of C. obsoletus, which was not present in this area. The strongest cross-attraction occurred between C. brachypterus and C. hemipterus. C. antiquus showed some attraction to the C. lugubris pheromone.