Mating disruption of the ambrosia beetle Megaplatypus mutatus in poplar and hazelnut plantations using reservoir systems for pheromones

Abstract

Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae) is an ambrosia beetle native to South America, but it has recently been introduced into Italy and represents a serious problem in commercial poplar and fruit tree plantations. Male M. mutatus emit a sex pheromone composed of (+)‐6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐ol [(+)‐sulcatol], 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one (sulcatone), and 3‐pentanol. We performed three field trials of mating disruption of M. mutatus in hazelnut and poplar plantations in Argentina and Italy. To perform these tests, we made plastic pheromone reservoir‐type dispensers for sulcatol, sulcatone, and 3‐pentanol with zero‐order kinetics that were deployed in the field during the female flight period. The number of galleries where mating took place was significantly higher in control than in treated areas, indicating that pheromone application had interfered with female behavior and male localization. Because damage reduction was >56% in both countries, these results demonstrate the potential for the strategy of pheromone‐mediated mating disruption of M. mutatus in commercial poplar and hazelnut plantations. Also, our study provides the first evidence for successful pheromone‐mediated mating disruption in a forest beetle.

Physicochemical Properties and Field Evaluation of Monolithic Wax Formulations for the Controlled Release of a Forest Pest Pheromone

“…These results confirmed the previous findings with polymeric dispensers of zero order kinetics 9 that the strategy of mating disruption using the pheromone delivery doses is a feasible tool for management of infested poplar plantations.…”

“…7 Also, M. mutatus was reported in plantations of brazilwood in Northeastearn Brazil. 8 In our lab, Funes et al 9 manufactured plastic pheromone reservoir dispensers for the pheromone components of M. mutatus (+)-sulcatol, sulcatone and 3-pentanol. Zero order kinetics (releasing between 60-100 mg per day of pheromone) was achieved using polyethylene bags and glass vials with semi permeable caps and successful results in M. mutatus mating disruption strategies were obtained.…”

Two Volatile Organic Compounds Trigger Plant Self-Defense against a Bacterial Pathogen and a Sucking Insect in Cucumber under Open Field Conditions

“…This VOC has been studied by chemical ecologists, as it is an insect pheromone in Triatoma infestans and T. brasiliensis [18–20]. Insect behavior studies show that 3-pentanol plays a critical role as a pheromone in the sexual communication of M. mutates [21]. In addition, 3-pentanol is produced by wild Brassica oleracea plants in response to infestation by the caterpillars Pieris rapae and Plutella xylostella [23,24].…”

Metagenomic approach of associated fungi with <i>Megaplatypus mutatus</i> (Coleoptera: Platypodinae)

“…Active galleries were recognized according to Funes et al (2011). Each attacked tree was cut into an individual log which contained a single active gallery; its maintenance and fragmentation was conducted according to Belhoucine et al (2011).…”

“…Megaplatypus mutatus has a wide host range (Giménez and Etiennot 2007), it has been reported in several countries (Charles et al 2014). A major forest pest in Argentina (Alfaro et al 2007) has been considered in this study, achieving the status of an invasive species and an emerging non-native pest in Europe (Tremblay et al 2000;Allegro and Della Beffa 2001;Funes et al 2011). In Argentina, this pest has been found infesting several forest tree species.…”