The ambrosia beetleAnisandrus maiche(Stark) is repelled by conophthorin and verbenone and attracted to ethanol in a dose‐dependent manner

Abstract

AbstractAnisandrus maiche(Stark) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a non‐native ambrosia beetle recently detected in northwestern Indiana. There is a critical need for advanced methods to detect and manage this potentially destructive beetle. Identifying semiochemicals that function as attractants or repellents can inform management practices to protect high‐value plantings of hardwood trees.We evaluated the extent to which (S)‐(−)‐verbenone, (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin and ethanol influence trap capture ofA.maicheusing two trap types and heights. We also investigated the effect of ethanol release rate on trap capture.Traps baited with ethanol alone captured the most beetles, while traps baited with (S)‐(−)‐verbenone or (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin alone captured fewA.maiche, and each compound decreased capture when paired with ethanol lures.There was no difference in mean capture ofA.maichebetween trap types across treatments, and the height of ethanol‐baited traps did not influence the capture rate suggesting this species is widely distributed throughout the canopy.Our results suggest that (S)‐(−)‐verbenone and (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin are effective repellents forA.maicheand a release rate of at least 3 g/day of ethanol enhances trap to capture.