Jl. Hayes et al., REPELLENT PROPERTIES OF THE HOST COMPOUND 4-ALLYLANISOLE TO THE SOUTHERN PINE-BEETLE, Journal of chemical ecology, 20(7), 1994, pp. 1595-1615
The phenylpropanoid 4-allylanisole is a compound produced by loblolly
pines (Pinus taeda L.), an abundant species in southern pine forests a
nd a preferred host of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zi
mmermann). Repellency of individual beetles was demonstrated in labora
tory behavioral assays of D. frontalis and other scolytids. Inhibition
was demonstrated in natural populations of D. frontalis using baited
traps. In both tests, response to the inhibitory pheromone verbenone w
as used for comparison. In the laboratory, a higher proportion of newl
y emerged and reemerged D. frontalis responded negatively to 4-allylan
isole than to verbenone. However, fewer reemergent than newly emerged
individuals responded to either compound. In all field trials, the res
ponse of D. frontalis to its attractant pheromone in funnel traps was
significantly reduced by simultaneous release of 4-allylanisole. In mo
st trials total reduction did not differ from verbenone; however, unli
ke verbenone, 4-allylanisole reduced male and female catches proportio
nally. Both compounds together did not significantly further reduce tr
ap catch. The response of a major predator, Thanasimus dubius (F.), to
the attractant pheromone of D. frontalis, did not differ with the sim
ultaneous release of either verbenone or 4-allylanisole. The results o
f preliminary field applications are presented and discussed.