A novel adhesive trunk trap net for trapping Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold) is a destructive wood‐boring pest of tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, in China. At present, the management of E. brandti relies exclusively on frequent applications of synthetic insecticides. Environmentally friendly alternatives to the use of synthetic insecticides would be beneficial. A trunk trap net (TTN), an adhesive trap (AT), and an adhesive trunk trap net (ATTN) were evaluated in their ability to capture E. brandti. RESULTS Significantly greater laboratory weevil recapture rates were found using the ATTN (78%) than using the TTN (8%) and AT (0%). In total, 45% of marked weevils were captured by the ATTN, an eight‐fold increase in catch rates using the TTN in mark‐release‐recapture field trials in 2017. No marked weevils were captured by the AT. Field trials in 2017 and 2018 showed that the ATTN captured six to seven times more wild weevils than using the TTN. CONCLUSION Adhesive Trunk Trap nets (ATTNs) were more effective in capturing E. brandti adults than Trunk Trap nets (TTNs). These results support the use of the ATTN as an eco‐friendly tool for the integrated management of E. brandti. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Developing traps for the overwintering tree‐of‐heaven weevils Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus and E. brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…For example, circle trunk traps were developed based on the ascending behavior of the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula White (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), on tree trunks 24,25 . Similarly, novel TTNs were developed based on the ascending–descending behavior on tree trunks and escape behavior of TRW and TTW 10,11 . These trunk traps are effective for trapping these target insect pests when they walk on the tree trunk 10,11,24,25 .…”

“…24,25 Similarly, novel TTNs were developed based on the ascending-descending behavior on tree trunks and escape behavior of TRW and TTW. 10,11 These trunk traps are effective for trapping these target insect pests when they walk on the tree trunk. 10,11,24,25 As a poikilothermal animal, insects search for suitable overwintering habitats to provide a relatively warm environment to survive the cold winter, such as deciduous layers, soil, and bark gaps.…”

“…Eco‐friendly methods against TRW and TTW are necessary. Owing to the lack of specific attractants for these weevils, several behaviorally‐based trap nets (i.e., one modified square trap net and four trunk trap nets (TTN)) have been developed to control the two weevils as they emerged from the soil or walked on tree trunks 10,11,22 . The above measures are mainly focused on the TRW and TTW management during their emergence period (i.e., from April to September).…”

“…[7][8][9] However, a large number of A. altissima trees in their original planting areas (Henan, Shandong, Anhui, Shaanxi, Beijing) and new planting areas (Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang) have been severely attacked by tree-of-heaven root weevils (TRW), Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus (Motschulsky), and tree-of-heaven trunk weevils (TTW), E. brandti (Harold) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). 10,11 The two sympatric and closely related species are major destructive insect pests of the tree-of-heaven in China. 12 The native weevils are known to be highly host-specific to the tree-ofheaven.…”

“…Owing to the lack of specific attractants for these weevils, several behaviorally-based trap nets (i.e., one modified square trap net and four trunk trap nets (TTN)) have been developed to control the two weevils as they emerged from the soil or walked on tree trunks. 10,11,22 The above measures are mainly focused on the TRW and TTW management during their emergence period (i.e., from April to September). To date, there is a lack of information regarding the development of control measures during the overwintering period (i.e., from October to March).…”