Effect of verbenone enantiomers and racemic <i>endo</i>-brevicomin on response of <i>Dendroctonus</i><i>frontalis</i> (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to attractant-baited traps

Abstract

Different enantiomeric ratios and elution rates of the inhibitor pheromones verbenone and racemic endo-brevicomin were evaluated for their effects on the numerical response of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonusfrontalis Zimm., to attractant-baited traps. Enantiomeric ratios and elution rates of verbenone were important factors in inhibiting response of male D. frontalis. Deterrence was most effective for enantiomeric ratios of verbenone containing 34 and 50% of the (+) enantiomer. Using a 34% (+): 66% (−) mixture of verbenone, the number of male D. frontalis captured in attractant-baited traps declined as elution rates increased from 4.2 to 12.5 mg/h. None of the enantiomeric ratios or elution rates of verbenone tested consistently influenced female response. endo-Brevicomin added to attractant-baited traps reduced catches of male D. frontalis, but did not significantly reduce catches further when added to traps also emitting verbenone. Female catches were not reduced significantly by the presence of endo-brevicomin. Numerical responses of the predatory beetle Thanasimusdubius Fab. are generally unaffected by the presence of verbenone alone or in combination with endo-brevicomin.