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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #360784
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Efficacy of piperitone as a repellent for Euwallacea nr. fornicatus, vector of Fusarium dieback

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Narvaez, Teresa
item Schnell, Elena
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2019
Publication Date: 4/8/2019
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Narvaez, T.I., Schnell, E.Q., Tabanca, N., Carrillo, D. 2019. Efficacy of piperitone as a repellent for Euwallacea nr. fornicatus, vector of Fusarium dieback [abstract]. 2nd Virtual Symposium of the International Branch of the Entomological Society of America. 8-10 April 2019.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is an ambrosia beetle native to Asia and a primary pest of tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. In recent years, beetles morphologically identical to E. fornicatus (a cryptic species complex whose members are referred to as E. near fornicatus) have become established in the USA (Florida and California), Israel, Mexico and other countries. These invasive beetles are highly polyphagous and vector fungal pathogens that cause Fusarium dieback, a vascular disease of avocado (Persea americana Mill.), woody ornamentals, and forest trees. In this study, we evaluated efficacy of piperitone (p-menth-1-en-3-one) as a repellent for host-seeking female E. nr. fornicatus in Florida avocado groves. Two replicate field tests were conducted at sites that differed in pest population levels. Each test was run for 12 weeks and compared captures of beetles in baited traps (containing quercivorol and a-copaene lures) versus captures in traps containing lures plus a piperitone dispenser. In addition, SuperQ collections followed by gas chromatographic analyses were performed to quantify volatile emissions from repellent dispensers that were field-aged for 12 weeks. In both tests, the addition of piperitone resulted in a significant (50-60%) decrease in captures of E. nr. fornicatus. Field longevity of the repellent was ~10 weeks. Tests are ongoing to compare efficacy and longevity of piperitone to that of other commercially available repellents for ambrosia beetles.