The importance of olfactory and visual cues in developing better monitoring tools for Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae)

Authors

Mark A. Sarvary, Department of Entomology, Garden Ave., Cornell UniversityFollow
Miriam F. Cooperband, Otis Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST
Ann E. Hajek, Department of Entomology, Garden Ave., Cornell University

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2015

Comments

U.S. Governement work

Abstract

1. To improve the monitoring of the invasive European woodwasp, both sexes of Sirex noctilio were studied in a walk-in wind tunnel.We evaluated three trap types: unbaited traps, traps baited with a three-component pheromone lure and traps baited with a commercial Sirex kairomone lure and ultraviolet light.

2. When no lure was present, the black intercept trap caught more females than the clear jar trap. The increase in pheromone concentration from 0.1 to 1mg increased the capture of females, and not males, in the black intercept panel trap. Both of these findings suggest that the visual cues provided by the black intercept trap play an important role in attraction for females.

3. Capture rates between unbaited clear versus black intercept traps did not differ but the addition of a ultraviolet light increased trap efficacy. Intercept traps baited with light were more attractive than the commercial kairomone lure.

4. Both olfactory and visual cues were found to play important roles in the response of S. noctilio to traps. A black trap may enhance the capture of females, whereas the addition of ultraviolet light could enhance capture for both sexes. Integrating these different components may help in developing an improved species-specific trap for S. noctilio.