ENDO-BREVICOMIN: AN ANTIAGGREGATION PHEROMONE FOR THE WESTERN BALSAM BARK BEETLE, DRYOCOETES CONFUSUS SWAINE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractLaboratory bioassays and field tests demonstrated that the (+) enantiomer of endo-brevicomin is an antiaggregation pheromone for the western balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confusus Swaine. (+)-endo-Brevicomin significantly reduced the response of beetles of both sexes to the aggregation pheromone exo-brevicomin in laboratory bioassays and in field experiments using multiple-funnel traps. It also prevented attack on subalpine fir, Abies lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt., trees baited with exo-brevicomin. The (−) enantiomer of endo-brevicomin was inactive. These results suggest that (+) or (±)-endo-brevicomin has potential for protecting selected trees from attack, or suppressing western balsam bark beetle activity in high hazard or infested stands.