Using Chemical Ecology Techniques to Improve Baits for Exotic Ambrosia Beetles

E. P. Ott, B. T. Sullivan, and K. D. Klepzig

LSU Agcenter Department of Entomology (1) and USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (2,3)

Despite typically being weak mortality agents in their native environments, exotic bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) may cause significant tree damage upon introduction into the United States.  These potentially invasive insects are increasingly being detected attacking and inhabiting trees in the US, and in some cases they are causing significant economic losses.  We describe our efforts to develop baits for facilitating the detection of exotic ambrosia beetles and assessing the threat posed by them.  Our approach involves three steps:  (1) artificially eliciting attractiveness in potential host trees, (2) identifying olfactory stimulants produced by attractive hosts via electrophysiological studies of beetle antennae, and (3) evaluating candidate bait components in field and lab assays.

corresponding author:

E.P. Ott
Department of Entomology
Louisiana State University Agcenter
404 Life Science Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
EOtt@agcenter.lsu.edu