Captures of Male European Pine Sawflies (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) in Pheromone-Baited Traps in Kentucky

Abstract

Using sticky traps baited with (2S, 3S, 7S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-pentadecyl acetate, we assessed the seasonal and diurnal flight activity of the European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffrey), in Fayette, Madison, and Livingston counties in Kentucky. At each site, two replicates of individual sticky traps were baited and suspended about 1 m high and spaced at least 20 m apart. Trap catch was affected by site (P = 0.001). A total of 326 European pine sawfly males were captured at the Fayette Co. site during the period 18 September to 12 November, representing 7% of the season total. No males of this species were caught at the other sites. During peak flight activity (1 to 15 October), we monitored traps at 2.5-h intervals over 4 d to determine diurnal flight patterns. Flight activity began after 1100 h and ceased by 1830 h, and was significantly affected by time of day. European pine sawfly flight activity was greatest between 1330 and 1830 h. We captured over 5,200 male sawflies at all three sites, with peak activity occurring in May, July, September and October.