FIELD BIOASSAYS OF SYNTHETIC PHEROMONES AND HOST MONOTERPENES FOR CONOPHTHORUS-CONIPERDA (COLEOPTERA, SCOLYTIDAE)

Four major monoterpenes, (+/-)-alpha-pinene, 1(S)-(-)-beta-pinene, (R) -(+)-limonene, and myrcene are found in the cones of eastern white pin es, Pinus strobus L. Mixtures of these, as well as, alpha-pinene or be ta-pinene alone. increased catches of male white pine cone beetles, Co nophthorus coniperda (Schwartz), in traps baited with the female sex p heromone, (+/-)-trans-pityol. The monoterpenes by themselves as mixtur es or individually (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene) were not attractants fo r males or females. Traps baited with (+/-)-trans-pityol and alpha-pin ene caught as many, or significantly more beetles than those baited wi th pityol and a four monoterpene mixture (1:1:1:1) used in seed orchar ds in North Carolina Ohio, and Virginia. Three beetle produced compoun ds, conophthorin, trans-pinocarveol, and myrtenol did not enhance catc hes of males or females in (+/-)-trans-pityol-baited traps. Racemic E- (+/-)-conophthorin, E-(-)-conophthorin, and E-(+)-conophthorin signifi cantly reduced catches of males in traps baited with (+)-trans-pityol alone. Female C. coniperda were not attracted to any of the host-or be etle-produced compounds tested. The study demonstrated that traps with baits releasing (+/-)-trans-pityol at about 1mg/wk with (+/-)-alpha-p inene (98% pure) are potentially valuable tools for C. coniperda pest management. Baited traps can be used to monitor C. coniperda populatio ns or possibly to reduce seed losses in a beetle trap-out control stra tegy.