Field Bioassays of Synthetic Pheromones and Host Monoterpenes for Conophthorus coniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract

Four major monoterpenes, (±)-a-pinene,1 (S)-(-)-ß-pinene,(R)-(+)-limonene, and myrcene are found in the cones of eastern white pines, Pinus strobus L. Mixtures ofthese, as well as. a-pinene or ß-pinene alone. increased catches of male white pine cone beetles, Conophthorus coniperda (Schwartz). in traps baited with the female sex pheromone, (±)-trans-pityol.The monoterpenes by themselves as mixtures or individually (a-pinene, ß-pinene)were not attractants for males or females. Traps baited with (±)-trans-pityol and a-pinene caught as many, or significantly more beetles than those baited with pityol and a four monoterpene mixture (1:1:1:1) used in seed orchards in North Carolina, Ohio. and Virginia. Three beetle-produced compounds, conophthorin, tram-pinocarveol.and myrtenol did not enhance catches of males or females in (±)-trans-pityol-baited traps. Racemic E-(±)-conophthorin, E-(-)-conophthorin, and E-(+)-conophthorin significantly reduced catches of males in traps baited with (±)-trans-pityol alone. Female C. coniperda were not attracted to any ofthe host- or beetle-produced compounds tested. The study demonstrated that traps vith baits releasing (-)-trans-pityol at about l mg/wk with (+/-)-a-pinene (98%pure) are potentially valuable tools for C coniperda pest management. Baited traps can be used to monitor C. coniperda populations or possibly to reduce seed losses in a beetle trap-out control strategy.

Citation

de Groot, Peter; DeBarr, Gary L.; Birgersson, Goran. 1998. Field Bioassays of Synthetic Pheromones and Host Monoterpenes for Conophthorus coniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Environ.Entomol. 27(2): 382-387 (1998)