Control ofLeiodes cinnamomeus(Coleoptera: Leiodidae) in Cultivated Black Truffle Orchards by Kairomone-Based Mass Trapping

Abstract

The monoculture situation of truffle cultivation is favoring the appearance of pests that would not be economically important in naturally balanced forest ecosystems. The most prominent of them is the European truffle beetle Leiodes cinnamomeus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), for which there are no effective control methods capable of reducing its populations. The potential of the mass trapping technique against this beetle, based on adapted pitfall traps and the semiochemical methyl disulfide as an attractant, is explored in the present work. Two trap densities (40 and 80 traps/ha) were tested in 2-yr field trials carried out in the region of Teruel (Spain) with black truffle cultivation tradition. Kairomone dispensers were placed in the field immediately before adult outbreak and remained active there throughout the season. The efficacy of each treatment was measured according to the reduction in beetle populations and the damaged truffles in the center of the treated areas. The results showed that both trapping densities reduced adult populations (mean 57% catch reduction), but 80 traps/ha were needed to significantly lower damage parameters (>40% reduction), percentage of attacked truffles and number of galleries/g truffle. The cost effectiveness of these treatments and possible improvements are discussed.

Natural occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) and Pristionchus nematodes in black truffle soils from Spain

“…The economic importance of this fungus has led to a monoculture situation that along with certain agricultural practices like irrigation have favoured the presence of some insect species that then become pests (Martín-Santafé 2020). The European truffle beetle, Leiodes cinnamomeus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), is one of the most serious pests in black truffle plantations (Arzone 1971; Martín-Santafé et al 2014; Navarro-Llopis et al 2021). Adults and larvae feed on T. melanosporum fruiting bodies, causing galleries which reduce quality and can generate up to 70% of economic losses in plantations (Barriuso et al 2012).…”

“…Adults and larvae feed on T. melanosporum fruiting bodies, causing galleries which reduce quality and can generate up to 70% of economic losses in plantations (Barriuso et al 2012). Cultural practices, such as frequent collections of truffles and the use of traps for mass capture of adults, are recommended (Martín-Santafé et al 2014; Navarro-Llopis et al 2021). However, these practices are not enough to reduce the population of L. cinnamomeus to acceptable levels.…”

The effect of pioneer carrion beetles on the emission of volatile organic compounds and carrion insect community assembly

“…Traps baited with DMDS and DMTS significantly or specifically attracted taxa that were presumed to be necrophagous (Table 1 ). Species related to these taxa (Rhaphidophoridae, Calliphoridae, Leiodidae, and Geotrupidae) are known to be attracted to carcasses (Ito, 2020 ; Kadlec et al., 2019 ; Kočárek, 2003 ; Matuszewski et al., 2008 ) or sulfur‐containing volatile organic compounds (Frederickx et al., 2012 ; Navarro‐Llopis et al., 2021 ; Stensmyr et al., 2002 ; Weithmann et al., 2020 ). Although carrion insects have been regarded as important drivers of decomposition (Parmenter & MacMahon, 2009 ; Payne, 1965 ; Simmons et al., 2010 ), Barton and Evans ( 2017 ) revealed the importance of species composition and the negative effects of predatory species on decomposition rates.…”