Effectiveness of different lures for attracting Ips acuminatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

1. Ips acuminatus (the sharp-toothed bark beetle, STBB) is currently considered to be one of the most serious pests of Scots pine in many European countries. STBB management is among the most challenging tasks in pine forests; the development of methods for monitoring, predicting and managing outbreaks of this bark beetle is therefore crucial.
2. Pheromone-baited traps have been widely recommended as a valuable tool for the monitoring and mass trapping of bark beetles. Although different suppliers offer a variety of STBB lures, their effectiveness has rarely, if ever, been evaluated under natural conditions.
3. We evaluated the attractiveness of three commercially available and five experimental synthetic lures by comparing the numbers of STBBs captured in white, six-funnel traps. The studies were conducted in 2017–2019 in Poland, in Scots pine-dominated forests affected by STBB outbreaks.
4. Our study demonstrated significant differences in the effectiveness of the lures. The experimental lure produced by the Witasek company (Austria) and the recently marketed lure Acumodor Micro from Chemipan (Poland) were the most attractive to STBB. Among the least effective were two commercial lures (Acuwit and Acumodor), hitherto used in Central Europe.
5. The results will be useful in developing methods for the monitoring and management of STBB populations.