by Dr. Molly Darr | Jun 15, 2022 | 2011-2020 Publications
Abstract
The male-produced bicyclic acetal endo-brevicomin is a component of the pheromone blend that mediates colonization of host pines by the bark beetle Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. Efforts to identify its behavioral function have been complicated by contrasting reports that it either enhances or reduces attraction of flying beetles. Our studies failed to support the hypothesis that this published variability is due to differences in release rate and/or the enantiomeric composition [i.e., the beetle-produced (+)- enantiomer vs. the racemate] of the endo-brevicomin used in the experiments. In trapping trials within active D. frontalis infestations, racemic and (+)-endo-brevicomin did not differ from each other in behavioral effects when tested at seven different release rates ranging from 0.005 to 3 mg/d. At the highest release rates, racemic and (+)-endo-brevicomin similarly reduced catches in traps baited with an attractant (frontalin and turpentine), but neither enhanced catches at any release rate. Furthermore, the activity of racemic endo-brevicomin baits depended on trap proximity to D. frontalis infestations. Addition of these baits to attractant-baited traps located inside active infestations reduced catches, but they enhanced catches at traps located either 100 or 200 m outside these infestations. The contrasting responses may reflect differences in host-seeking strategies by either aggregated or dispersing D. frontalis, and may be elicited by differing abundance of natural sources of semiochemicals or differing responsiveness of beetles inside vs. outside of infestations. We suspect that much of the published variability in D. frontalis responses to endo-brevicomin is attributable to differing proximity of experimental field sites to infestations.
Keywords
Aggregation, Attractant antagonist, Coleoptera, Dispersal, Enantiomer, Flight behavior, Pheromone synergist, Scolytidae, Semiochemical, Spatial dynamics, Trapping
To read the full article please visit the link below:
Sullivan, Brian T., Mark J. Dalusky, Kenji Mori, and Cavell Brownie. 2011. “Variable Responses by Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus Frontalis Zimmermann, to the Pheromone Component Endo-Brevicomin: Influence of Enantiomeric Composition, Release Rate, and Proximity to Infestations.” Journal of Chemical Ecology 37 (4): 403–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-011-9940-5.
by Dr. Molly Darr | Jun 14, 2022 | 2011-2020 Publications
Abstract
The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is among the most destructive bark beetle pests of pines (Pinaceae) of the southeast and mid-Atlantic United States of America, Mexico, and Central America. Numerous volatile compounds can stimulate or reduce attraction of the beetle, but efforts to incorporate these into effective, practical technologies for pest management have yielded mixed results. Attractants have been incorporated into lures used in monitoring traps that are employed operationally to forecast outbreaks and detect emerging populations. The attraction inhibitor, verbenone, shows efficacy for suppressing southern pine beetle infestations but has not yet been adopted operationally. No effective semiochemical tree protectant has been developed for the beetle. We discuss complexities in the chemical ecology of the beetle that likely have impeded research and development of semiochemical management tools, and we describe basic science gaps that may hinder further progress if not addressed. We also report some supporting, original experimental data indicating (1) that a verbenone device can inhibit the beetle’s response to sources of attractant in a radius of at least several metres, (2) similar olfactory responses by the beetle to both enantiomers of verbenone, and (3) that pheromone background can cause conflicting results in semiochemical field tests.
To read the full article please visit the link below:
Sullivan, Brian T., and Stephen R. Clarke. 2021. “Semiochemicals for Management of the Southern Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): Successes, Failures, and Obstacles to Progress.” Canadian Entomologist 153 (1): 36–61. https://doi.org/10.4039/tce.2020.67.
by Dr. Molly Darr | Jun 14, 2022 | 2011-2020 Publications
Abstract
The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann is generally considered to be one of the most significant biotic mortality agents of pines within North America, with a range stretching from New England to eastern Texas and from Arizona south to Nicaragua. As with other aggressive pine beetles, it relies on semiochemicals for coordinating the mass attacks necessary for colonization of healthy pines. Over the past 50 years its chemical ecology has received extensive study aimed at development of effective and practical semiochemical-based management strategies which might replace the destructive and costly techniques in practice. I review the literature on the chemical ecology of this insect with particular attention to the functional categorizations assigned to different semiochemicals and the data underlying these assignments. Additionally, I attempt to identify conflicts and knowledge gaps within current understanding of the chemical ecology of this insect that might represent a significant hindrance to progress in development of effective semiochemical-based management strategies.
To read the full article please visit the link below:
Sullivan, B. T. 2016. “Semiochemicals in the Natural History of Southern Pine Beetle Dendroctonus Frontalis Zimmermann and Their Role in Pest Management.” In Pine Bark Beetles, edited by C. Tittiger and G. J. Blomquist, 50:129–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aiip.2015.12.002.
by Dr. Molly Darr | Jun 14, 2022 | 2011-2020 Publications
Abstract
The male-produced bicyclic acetal endo-brevicomin is a component of the pheromone blend that mediates colonization of host pines by the bark beetle Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. Efforts to identify its behavioral function have been complicated by contrasting reports that it either enhances or reduces attraction of flying beetles. Our studies failed to support the hypothesis that this published variability is due to differences in release rate and/or the enantiomeric composition [i.e., the beetle-produced (+)- enantiomer vs. the racemate] of the endo-brevicomin used in the experiments. In trapping trials within active D. frontalis infestations, racemic and (+)-endo-brevicomin did not differ from each other in behavioral effects when tested at seven different release rates ranging from 0.005 to 3 mg/d. At the highest release rates, racemic and (+)-endo-brevicomin similarly reduced catches in traps baited with an attractant (frontalin and turpentine), but neither enhanced catches at any release rate. Furthermore, the activity of racemic endo-brevicomin baits depended on trap proximity to D. frontalis infestations. Addition of these baits to attractant-baited traps located inside active infestations reduced catches, but they enhanced catches at traps located either 100 or 200 m outside these infestations. The contrasting responses may reflect differences in host seeking strategies by either aggregated or dispersing D. frontalis, and may be elicited by differing abundance of natural sources of semiochemicals or differing responsiveness of beetles inside vs. outside of infestations. We suspect that much of the published variability in D. frontalis responses to endo-brevicomin is attributable to differing proximity of experimental field sites to infestations.
Keywords
Aggregation, Attractant antagonist, Coleoptera, Dispersal, Enantiomer, Flight behavior, Pheromone synergist, Scolytidae, Semiochemical, Spatial dynamics,Trapping
To read the full article please visit the link below:
Sullivan, Brian T. 2011. “Southern Pine Beetle Behavior and Semiochemistry.” U S Forest Service General Technical Report SRS 140: 25–50. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_srs140/gtr_srs140_025.pdf
by Dr. Molly Darr | Jun 14, 2022 | 2011-2020 Publications
Abstract
Four general-use insecticides (Astro, Onyx, Dominion Tree & Shrub, and Xytect2F) were evaluated for their effectiveness at preventing attacks by the southern pine beetle (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis) and the small southern pine engraver (Ips avulus) using a previously developed small-bolt method. Evaluations were conducted between 58 and 126 days post treatment. Southern pine beetles from New Jersey and Mississippi. US., were evaluated using a mixture of field and laboratory small-bolt trials; beetle origin did not appear to affect results. Astro and Onyx bole sprays were effective at reducing or eliminating attack by SPB, while the imidacloprid soil drench products (Dominion and Xytect) were ineffective. With I. avulsus in Louisiana, U.S., Astro was effective at reducing bole utilization at 58 and 83 days posttreatment but failed at 126 days. Onyx, Dominion, and Xytecct were ineffective at reducing bole utilization at 58 and 83 days posttreatment but failed at 126 days. Onyx, Dominion and Xytect were ineffective against I. avulsus in these tests. Imidacloprid phloem residues averaged 0.74 (μg/g phloem dry weight) for Dominion and 1.31 for Xytect, values that are similar to other studies but low for purposes of control. These results support previous findings that systemic imidacloprid is ineffective for protecting pines against Dendroctonus bark beetles and that bole sprays with bifenthrin or permethrin can be effective. However, permethrin was the only active ingredient against I. avulus in the current study.
Keywords
Bifenthrin; Dendroctonus frontalis; Imidacloprid; Insecticide; Ips avulsus; Mississippi; New Jersey; Permethrin, Pinus; Soil Drench; Southern Pine Beetle; Southern Pine Engraver; Systemic Insecticide.
To read the full article please visit the link below:
Strom, B. L., W. K. Oldland, J. R. Meeker, and J. Dunn. 2015. “Evaluation of General-Use Insecticides for Preventing Host Colonization by New Jersey Southern Pine Beetles.” Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 41 (2): 88–102.https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/abstract?site=eds&scope=site&jrnl=19355297&AN=101483158&h=1g%2fbLURUdu5kO9O2PdeRXR2CFZF5eRCFyzv1tUuZ6u%2bYfx5dle0kUnLbNSO3Ixk17EyH2a%2f2NFpnNLrmpy2OkA%3d%3d&crl=c&resultLocal=ErrCrlNoResults&resultNs=Ehost&crlhashurl=login.aspx%3fdirect%3dtrue%26profile%3dehost%26scope%3dsite%26authtype%3dcrawler%26jrnl%3d19355297%26AN%3d101483158
