Oriental Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): Current Distribution in the United States and Optimization of Monitoring Traps

Abstract

Cooperators in 20 states used traps baited with (Z) -7-tetradecen-2-one to determine the current distribution of oriental beetles in the United States. New areas where beetles were found include Cape Cod and central Massachusetts (widespread), Delaware, (widespread), southeastern New Hampshire, North Carolina (around Asheville), Ohio (around Painesville on Lake Erie), Maryland (widespread), New Jersey (widespread in blueberry plantings), and Virginia (around Richmond and Arlington). Studies on pheromone concentration and release methods showed that there was no significant difference in beetle captures between 1,000 μg released from rubber septa and 3,000 μg released from polyethylene pellets. Significantly fewer beetles were caught in traps baited with 10 or 100 μg than in traps baited with 1,000 μg released from rubber septa or and 3,000 μg released from polyethylene pellets. There was no significant difference in captures between Trece and Fuji trap designs where 3,000 μg was released from polyethylene pellets in 7 out of 8 comparisons. There was no significant difference in beetle captures where 100 or 1,000 μg pheromone was released from rubber versus polyethylene septa. There was a significant increase in beetle captures where the funnel rims of traps were placed at ground level versus 30 cm above ground level.