The eastern larch beetle, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is a native bark beetle that is generally considered to be a secondary pest of tamarack (Larix laricina) and western larch (L. occidentalis). On the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as in other areas in the Upper Midwest, a significant outbreak of this beetle has caused mortality in mature and pole-sized tamarack. This outbreak presents an opportunity to learn more about the chemical ecology of this insect, and the potential for semiochemicals to be used as management tools.
Seudenol is highly attractive to eastern larch beetle, and has been used as positive control in determining the effectiveness of antiaggregation compounds in reducing traps catches. Three chemicals (3-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (MCH), 4-allylanisole (=methyl chavicol) and verbenone) have been tested to determine their effectiveness in shutting down the aggregation response to seudenol. Each of these compounds has previously been shown to be effective as an antiattractant to some other species of bark beetle. Five trapping treatments were used in Lindgren multiple funnel traps: seudenol, seudenol + MCH, seudenol + verbenone, seudenol + 4-allylanisole, and unbaited as a negative control. Six blocks containing these 5 treatments were established, and the baits were periodically rerandomized. Effectiveness of the shutdown of the response to seudenol was determined for each sex of D. simplex. Following these tests, dose response curves were developed for the most effective compounds, and the feasibility of their use in protecting individual high value trees was assessed.
Species 1: Coleoptera Scolytidae Dendroctonus simplex (eastern larch beetle)
Keywords: seudenol
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