Abstract
The discovery and elucidation of volatile behavioral chemicals used by bark beetles to locate hosts and mates has revealed a rich potential for humans to sabotage beetle host-finding and reproduction. Here, we present a description of currently available semiochemical methods for use in monitoring and controlling bark beetle pests in western conifer forests. Delivery systems include hand-applied methods, such as semiochemical-releasing bubblecaps, pouches, and "puffers," as well as products that can be applied by aircraft such as semiochemical-releasing flakes. Descriptions of both attractant-based ("pull") and anti-attractant-based ("push") strategies are provided. Examples are provided for the major bark beetle pests in western North America, including the mountain pine beetle (
Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins), western pine beetle (
Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte), the Douglas-fir beetle (
Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins), the spruce beetle [
Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)], and the red turpentine beetle (
Dendroctonus valens LeConte).
Parent Publication
Keywords
Pheromones,
allomones,
kairomones,
IPM,
trap-out,
trap trees,
push-pull,
pine,
Douglas-fir,
spruce
Citation
Gillette, Nancy. E.; Munson, A. Steve. 2009. Semiochemical sabotage: behavioral chemicals for protection of western conifers from bark beetles. In: Hayes, J.L.; Lundquist, J.E., comps. 2009. The Western Bark Beetle Research Group: a unique collaboration with Forest Health Protection—proceedings of a symposium at the 2007 Society of American Foresters conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-784. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 85-110