Interruption of the Semiochemical-Based Attraction of Ambrosia Beetles to Ethanol-Baited Traps and Ethanol-Injected Trap Trees by Verbenone

Abstract

We examined the extent to which verbenone, a bark beetle antiaggregation pheromone, interrupted the semiochemical-based attraction of ambrosia beetles. Field trapping studies conducted in Ohio showed that a verbenone dispenser with a release rate of 50 mg/d at 25°C reduced the attraction of Anisandrus sayi Hopkins, Euwallacea validus (Eichhoff), Hypothenemus dissimilis (Zimmermann), Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford), and Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg) to ethanol-baited traps. A verbenone dispenser attached to ethanol-injected Magnolia virginiana L. trap trees deployed in Ohio also reduced ambrosia beetle attacks compared to trap trees without a verbenone dispenser. Subsequent field trials demonstrated a direct relationship between distance from a verbenone dispenser and ambrosia beetle attacks on trap trees in Ohio in 2011 and 2012 and Tennessee in 2012, but not in Tennessee and Virginia in 2011. Assessment of the influence of verbenone on the probability of attacks above a density threshold found that although attacks occurred on trap trees regardless of their proximity to a verbenone dispenser, the higher density of attacks per tree occurred on trap trees farthest away from the verbenone source in Ohio and Tennessee. Verbenone alone could be somewhat useful for discouraging ambrosia beetle attacks on individual trees or on a small spatial scale, but deployment of verbenone might be most effective when integrated as part of a "push-pull" strategy.

Conophthorin enhances the electroantennogram and field behavioural response ofXylosandrus germanus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to ethanol

“…For example, verbenone (4,6,6‐trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]‐hept‐3‐en‐2‐one) is an anti‐aggregation pheromone of Dendroctonus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Gitau et al ., ) that reduces the attraction of X. germanus and X. crassiusculus (Motschulsky) to ethanol (Van DerLaan & Ginzel, ; Ranger et al ., ). Similarly, terpinolene [1‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethylidene)‐cyclohexene] is a component of certain coniferous trees that reduces the attraction of the ambrosia beetle Trypodendron domesticum (L.) to ethanol (Byers et al ., ; Vité et al ., ; Volz, ; Byers, ).…”

Evaluation of repellents for the redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, vector of the laurel wilt pathogen

“…) and Euwallacea validus Eichoff, Xylosandrus germanus Blandford and two other taxa in Ohio in ethanol‐baited traps (Ranger et al. ). Collectively, these data suggest that verbenone‐based compounds should have potential as an effective X. glabratus repellent and management tool, especially in conjunction with additional components of integrated management (i.e.…”

“…Verbenone has been widely tested as an anti-aggregant to protect pine trees in the USA against several Dendroctonus bark beetle species, including the mountain (D. ponderosae Hopkins) (Lindgren et al 1989;Shea et al 1992;Fettig et al 2015), southern (D. frontalis Zimmerman) (Payne and Billings 1989) and western (D. brevicomis) pine beetles (Fettig et al 2008). When examined with ambrosia beetles, verbenone reduced captures of Xylosandrus compactus Eichhoff, X. crassiusculus Motschulsky and Xyleborinus saxesenii Ratzeburg in Hawaii (Burbano et al 2012) and Euwallacea validus Eichoff, Xylosandrus germanus Blandford and two other taxa in Ohio in ethanol-baited traps (Ranger et al 2013). Collectively, these data suggest that verbenone-based compounds should have potential as an effective X. glabratus repellent and management tool, especially in conjunction with additional components of integrated management (i.e.…”

“…; Ranger et al. ). To expand laurel wilt management options, we investigated the efficacy of a commercial repellent formulation and of additional host and non‐host volatiles to deter visitation and attack by X. glabratus and other ambrosia beetle species on traps and host bolts in field experiments.…”

“…The study of insect repellents for tree protection, specifically against X. glabratus and laurel wilt, is just starting; however, trials with other ambrosia beetles show the potential of the use of repellents as part of an integrated pest management programme (Borden et al 2001;Burbano et al 2012;Ranger et al 2013). To expand laurel wilt management options, we investigated the efficacy of a commercial repellent formulation and of additional host and non-host volatiles to deter visitation and attack by X. glabratus and other ambrosia beetle species on traps and host bolts in field experiments.…”