A preliminary study on the use of trap‐trees baited with ethylene for the integrated management of the olive beetle, Phloeotribus scarabaeoides (Bern.) (Col., Scolytidae)

Abstract

AbstractRecent studies have established the importance of ethylene in the primary attraction of the olive beetle, Phloeotribus scarabaeoides. In light of this, two experiments were carried out in an olive grove in Granada province, Spain, these experiments utilized the increase of natural levels of ethylene produced by olive trees after the application of 2‐(chloroethyl)phosphonic acid. In the first experiment, a significant attraction of the emerging beetles for the treated trees was noted. The second experiment constitutes a first step in the use of poisoned ethylene‐baited trees in the integrated management of P. scarabaeoides. A barrier of trap‐trees sprayed with a mixture of 2‐(chloroethyl)phosphonic acid and lambda cyalothrine‐A had been set‐up along the edge of two selected plots of the olive grove. A significant reduction in the density of attacks and beetle population density has been observed in the zone located behind the barrier of trap‐trees. A decrease in the efficacy of the experimental set‐up was noted at the end of August. The factors influencing changes in density of beetle attack and population on the trees throughout the summer are discussed.