Interruption of semiochemical-mediated attraction of Dendroctonus valens (Coleoptera : Scolytidae) and selected nontarget insects by verbenone

We tested two formulations of verbenone for efficacy in protecting ponderos a pine trees from attack by the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte: (1) polyethylene bubblecaps filled with 800 mg of neat verbenone, and (2) a sprayable water suspension of microencapsulated verbenone. We bai ted artificial trees (cardboard cylinders coupled with Lindgren pheromone t raps) with host kairomones and the verbenone formulations. Efficacy was mea sured by numbers of beetles captured in baited traps. Both release systems significantly reduced trap catch, and there was no significant difference b etween them. Both systems have promise for use in forest stands, depending on management objectives and land use. Verbenone was an interruptant for so me nontarget insects, especially Coleoptera, and none were consistently att racted to verbenone. We report on verbenone as an interruptant to host attr action in the red turpentine beetle, and also on the efficacy of a micro en capsulated scolytid semiochemical.