Assessing trap and lure effectiveness for the monitoring of Sirex noctilio

Abstract

1 Lure-baited traps are an important tool for monitoring the spread and establishment of the Sirex woodwasp Sirex noctilio. The utility of these traps, however, is limited in areas with low wasp populations as a result of the reliance on a plant volatile (kairomone) lure in the absence of an identified pheromone. Knowledge of the optimal trap type and deployment strategy is also lacking. 2 We tested the effectiveness of a putative pheromone in baited traps, by means of a series of field trials in South Africa, over a 3-year period. We also examined the influence of lure type, trap type and trap height on capture success. 3 The pheromone was found to be ineffective as an attractant under South African field conditions for both male and female wasps. Lure type, trap type and trap height were found to have little to no effect on female wasp catch. Given the moderately strong responses to the blend under wind tunnel and laboratory conditions, we suggest possible aspects of the biology and life history of S. noctilio that may influence lure effectiveness. 4 The traditional black intercept panel traps with kairomone lure remains the best trap for S. noctilio, at least where populations are high.

The importance of olfactory and visual cues in developing better monitoring tools forSirex noctilio(Hymenoptera: Siricidae)

“…The use of light as an attractant in traps has long been employed for detecting a variety of flying insects such as wood‐borers, moths and mosquitoes (Barnes et al , ; Ritchie & Kline, ; Meierrose et al , ; Bashford, ). It is known that intercept panel traps baited with kairomone are successful at capturing S. noctilio females (Bashford, ; Hurley et al , ) and these wind tunnel studies strongly suggest that the addition of UV light to those traps may enhance trap capture for both sexes.…”

“…Two traps were placed in the upwind end of the tunnel and baited with either nothing, a commercial Sirex kairomone lure containing an eight‐component blend (Hurley et al , ) (Alpha Scents, Inc., West Linn, Oregon), or an UV light (12‐W fluorescent ‘U’‐shaped black light; BioQuip Products). All comparisons and numbers of insects tested are shown in Figs and .…”

“…That study found that a 70/30 blend of α/β pinene attracted more S. noctilio than other ratios or either component alone. Hurley et al () reported that an α/β pinene blend has been augmented with several additional kairomone compounds and is commonly used for Sirex trapping in South Africa.…”

Emergence of adult female Sirex nigricornis F. and Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) coincides with a decrease in daily minimum and maximum temperature

“…(Borchert et al , ; Dinkins, ). The most recent monitoring studies have focused on the efficacy of traps and lures, with less attention being paid to the timing of adult emergence (Cooperband et al , ; Barnes et al , ; Haavik et al , ; Hurley et al , ).…”

Sirex woodwasp Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae): revisiting some past perceptions

“…However, S. noctilio has continued to spread within Australia, South Africa and South America, and more recently has invaded North America (Slippers et al ) and China (Li et al ). Consequently, in the last decade S. noctilio research has again burgeoned (Slippers et al ), including the identification of a phytotoxic venom peptide, noctilisin, (Bordeaux et al ), greater understanding of biotic and abiotic interactions in its endemic range, (Lombardero et al ), and within native (Haavik et al ) and exotic (Lantschner & Corley ) pine stands in its invaded ranges, as well as several aspects of its chemical ecology (Fernandez Ajo et al ; Hayes et al ; Hurley et al ; Sarvary et al ) and biological control (Fischbein & Corley ).…”