Effect of release rate and enantiomeric composition on response to pheromones of Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) in poplar plantations of Argentina and Italy

HERNAN FUNES; EDUARDO N.ZERBA; GONZALEZ AUDINO PAOLA

BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2013 vol. 103 p. 564 - 569

0007-4853

Megaplatypus mutatus (= Platypus sulcatus Chapuis) is an Ambrosia beetle native to South America, which was recently introduced to Italy and its presence there is causing severe damage on the local poplar plantations. The male´s M. mutatus pheromone is composed of (S)-(+)-6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol [(+)-sulcatol], 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone), and 3-pentanol. A series of field trials testing dose, blend and enantiomer composition performed in Argentina and Italy evaluated attraction and found that the optimal release rate of the pheromone components as baits in cross vane baited traps (CIPEIN-CV) was 6, 6 and 30 mg/day of sulcatone, (+)-sulcatol and 3-pentanol respectively. It was also determined that the racemic sulcatol is as effective as the pure (+)-isomer for the purpose of beetle catch, due to the inert nature of the (-)-isomer allowing the usage of low cost racemic sulcatol instead of highly expensive (+)-sulcatol. The results of our work contribute to the development of pheromone-based local technologies with low environmental impact and low cost for control or monitoring of an important pest.