REPELLENT PROPERTIES OF THE HOST COMPOUND 4-ALLYLANISOLE TO THE SOUTHERN PINE-BEETLE

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.