A method for trapping <i>hylobius abietis</i> (L.) with a standardized bait and its potential for forecasting seedling damage

Abstract

Abstract A method for trapping walking Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was developed and evaluated. Synergism between α‐pinene and ethanol in attracting H. abietis was confirmed. The effects of varying release rates of these substances and of adding other host terpenes were studied. A simple bait was developed containing α‐pinene and ethanol released from separate vials. The correlation between trap catch and seedling damage was estimated during May, June, and August on 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year‐old clear‐cuttings. In May and June, population levels were relatively high on all clear‐cuttings and no significant correlations were found. The August experiment showed a strong positive correlation between catch and damage. The percentage damaged seedlings per captured weevil was considerably higher in August than in May or June. Possibilities for developing a system for forecasting seedling damage using this trapping method are discussed. Key words: Hylobius abietispine weevilsa‐pineneethanolpitfall traptrapping methodforecastseedling damagereforestationSweden