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

Anisandrus 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 of A. maiche using 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 few A. maiche, and each compound decreased capture when paired with ethanol lures. There was no difference in mean capture of A. maiche between 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 for A. maiche and a release rate of at least 3 g/day of ethanol enhances trap to capture.

Automated summary

Anisandrus maiche is a non-native ambrosia beetle recently found in northwestern Indiana. This study investigated the influence of semiochemicals and ethanol on trap capture of A. maiche. The results suggest that (S)-(-)-verbenone and (E)-(+/-)-conophthorin act as effective repellents for A. maiche, while ethanol enhances trap capture.