Chemical ecology of Carpophilus sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and development of an environmentally friendly method of crop protection

Abstract

Nitidulid beetles of the genus Carpophilus are significant pests of a wide variety of fruits and grains and are also vectors of harmful microorganisms. The beetles are difficult to control with conventional insecticides because the beetle damage typically occurs just before harvest, when toxic residues must be avoided. These insects are generally attracted to scents such as from overripe or decomposing fruit. Starting in the 1960's, research was done to develop fermenting fruit and similar materials as trap baits, initially with the intent of achieving beetle control. These studies provided much new information about the ecology and chemistry of host location, but they did not prove successful in protecting crops from beetle damage. Beginning in the late 1980's, pheromones were discovered in Carpophilus beetles. These were potent, male-produced aggregation pheromones, and over the next 20 years much new information was gained about their ecological properties, physiology, and novel chemistry. Importantly, the pheromones were strongly synergistic with fermenting host odors, and the combination was far more attractive than fruit-related baits or pheromones alone, which greatly improved the ability to attract these pests to traps. A practical attract-and-kill method using the pheromones and host volatiles has been developed in Australia and shown to be at least as effective as insecticides for protecting stone fruit crops.

Storage Insects on Yam Chips and Their Traditional Management in Northern Benin

“…Therefore, it is possible that the few samples, in which it was absent, were not well dried or had relatively higher moisture contents. The presence of Psocoptera spp., Carpophilus dimidiatus , and Carpophilus Binotatus in the samples without Dinoderus porcellus supports this hypothesis as they are known as insects associated with wet food products [33]. Tribolium castaneum and Psocoptera spp.…”

Increased attractiveness of honeybee hive product volatiles to adult small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, resulting from small hive beetle larval infestation

“…These pheromones are highly effective when combined with fermentation products. Blends of the key fermentation products were synergistic, and essential to maximize trap efficiency (Bartelt & James, ; Bartelt & Hossain, , ; Hossain et al., ). It is possible that SHB (also of the Nitidulidae) may produce an aggregation pheromone that increased the number of beetles in the traps in this study, although we have no evidence for this.…”

“…However, suitable blends of synthetic compounds based on selected fermentation volatiles show potential for a lure with minimal variation, suitable for deployment in an effective out‐of‐hive trap for this pest. Previous studies on developing a similar system for another nitidulid beetle have demonstrated the length of time such research can take, but still producing a successful outcome (Bartelt & James, ; Bartelt & Hossain, , ; Hossain et al., ). The present study forms the basis for further work in which synthetic blends of key volatiles can be developed and tested for attractiveness to SHB, to develop a lure suitable for an external SHB trap.…”

Behavioural responses of the small hive beetle to volatile components of fermenting honeybee hive products

“…The present study builds upon previous work reporting the development of A. tumida ‐attracting volatiles from hive products inoculated by A. tumida (Hayes et al, ). It extends the investigation of the premise of a synthetic blend of volatiles which have been used to attract other nitidulid pests (Bartelt & Hossain, ) and which may be utilised in the development of an external attractant trapping system for adult A. tumida .…”