Response of parasitoids Dendrosoter protuberans and Cheiropachus quadrum to attractants of Phloeotribus scarabaeoides in an olfactometer.

Abstract

The braconid Dendrosoter protuberans and the pteromalid Cheiropachus quadrum are two parasitoids of the olive bark beetle, Phloeotribus scarabaeoides. Several chemicals such as α-pinene, β-pinene, 2-decanone, 2-nonanone, decanal, undecanal, and n-butyl acetate have been identified as attractants in the laboratory for this scolytid. Under red light at 27°C in a laboratory olfactometer both parasitoids oriented positively to both enantiomers of α-pinene, and females also responded to 2-decanone. Significant responses did not occur under white light or at lower temperatures. These results suggest that α-pinene and 2-decanone could be involved in the location of P. scarabaeoides by its parasitoids. Consequently an attracticidal control tactic for this scolytid that included these chemicals could eliminate part of the parasitoid population. In an integrated pest management program, this problem should be considered.