Attraction of scarab beetle populations (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to Japanese beetle lures in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Collections of scarab beetles using chemical lures in Korea consisted of 21 species. The species collected in the greatest numbers were Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky, Anomala sp., Holotrichia morosa Waterhouse, Popillia uchidai Niijimi et Kinoshita and P. indigonacea Motschulsky. Population density and activity varied according to location, with earlier emergence on the southern island of Cheju-do. P. japonica Newman were not captured in Korea even though dense populations are common in Japan and previous publications indicated its presence. However, males of a closely related species, P. uchidai, were present in high numbers throughout the country. These responded to Japanese beetle sex lures and combinations of floral lures, phenethyl propionate and eugenol and geraniol (PEG), much as P. japonica is known to do, but P. uchidai did not respond to PEG, and unlike P. japonica no female response was observed. Anomala corpulenta and Anomala sp. males were attracted to P. japonica sex lures in great numbers. This is the first report of this type of response by beetles outside the genus Popillia to this lure.