Volatiles released from oak, a host tree for the bark beetle Scolytus intricatus

Volatile compounds emitted in different phases of oak (Quercus robur) development (bark, unopened buds, young developing leaves, and blossoms) were analyzed with the aim of finding possible host-plant attractants for the European oak bark beetle, Scolytus intricatus. Complex mixtures of aliphatic, aromatic, and terpenoid compounds were identified in the samples. (E)-2-Hexenal and hexanal dominated in samples of bark. In buds, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate formed a substantial part of the mixture. In both leaves and blossoms (E,E)--farnesene was the main component.

Volatiles released from oak twigs and branches during both the maturation feeding and construction of maternal galleries by Scolytus intricatus were also analyzed. Most compounds found in the samples from females’ and males’ maturation feeding were identical. High contents of anisole, (E)-β-ocimene, -copaene, one unidentified sesquiterpenic hydrocarbon C₁₅H₂₄ and β-caryophyllene were found in both samples of twigs attacked by beetles. During the construction of maternal galleries by bark beetles in oak logs, monoterpene hydrocarbons such as p-cymene, (E)-β-ocimene, and γ-terpinene, and sesquiterpenes -copaene and β-caryophyllene were released in large quantities. No new compound appeared when males were added to the log with feeding females.     

我国新天敌资源——小蠹蒲螨形态与生物学研究

小蠹蒲螨Pyemotes scolyti(Oudemans,1936)为我国新纪录种。在河北,是核果类果树毁灭性害虫果树小蠹Scolytus japonicus Chapuis和多毛小蠹S.seulensis Mu-rayamy的有效天敌。该螨胎生,1年多代(25℃,8d完成1代),雌雄性比30:1～2,每雌产后代平均60余头,有较高的利用价值。     

脐腹小蠹形态特征和生物学特性

脐腹小蠹Scolytus schevyrewi Seme.是榆树的一种重要蛀干害虫。本研究在宁夏盐池县通过室内观察和林间调查相结合,研究了脐腹小蠹的形态特征及其生活史、成虫寿命、习性、交尾行为等生物学特性。结果显示:脐腹小蠹虫在宁夏盐池县一年发生2代,以老熟幼虫或蛹越冬,老熟幼虫约占98.2%,蛹约占1.8%。越冬幼虫于5月上旬开始化蛹,5月中旬为化蛹盛期,5月下旬开始羽化,6月上旬为羽化盛期。第2代幼虫于6月底、7月初开始化蛹,7月下旬达羽化盛期,8月上旬羽化结束;脐腹小蠹雌成虫平均寿命为(27.14±3.74)d,雄成虫的平均寿命为(16.86±4.13)d,差异显著(P<0.05);此外,脐腹小蠹无滞育现象;脐腹小蠹的4种天敌,分别是榆小蠹长茧蜂Elachistocontrum sp.、虱形螨Pedieuloids ventricosus Newport、拟截斑郭公虫Thansimus sp.和蠼螋Labidura sp.。     

Dendrosoter protuberans (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), An Important Elm Bark Beetle Parasitoid

The most favourable period for Dendrosoter protuberans development occurred when wasps were introduced 16 days after the beginning of Scolytus multistriatus development (the greatest number of emerged wasps per a single parasitoid female with a very positive sexual index and high percentage of parasitised elm bark beetle larvae). No significant differences were observed in parasitoid efficiency between the 11^th and the 21^st day. The most unfavourable period for elm bark beetle parasitisation was six days after the beginning of S. multistriatus development (a low reproduction of D. protuberans, a negative sexual index and a low number of destroyed S. multistriatus larvae). The reproduction of both the elm bark beetle and D. protuberans was greater in the first, than in the second generation. The developmental period of D. protuberans in the first generation was approximately two days longer than in the second generation. Furthermore, the development of females was 1-2 days longer than the development of males. D. protuberans developed most successfully on S. multistriatus (the most abundant parasitoid reproduction with the longest developmental period and a very positive sexual index that resulted in a high percentage of parasitised larvae) and then on S. ensifer, S. pygmaeus and Pteleobius kraatzi. On the other hand, S. scolytus larvae were the poorest host of all elm species - the reproduction of D. protuberans in this species was the scarcest with the shortest period of development and a negative sexual index, hence larval parasitisation was the lowest.     

脐腹小蠹聚集信息素的提取鉴定和引诱效果

为了确定脐腹小蠹Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov的聚集信息素成分,对脐腹小蠹成虫后肠和虫粪的挥发物进行了提取鉴定和引诱试验。经气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)鉴定,结果表明:雌成虫后肠挥发物成分有十四烷、十五烷、十六烷、十八烷、十九烷、十二酸和十四酸,其中十四酸含量最高,达到了42.2%;雄成虫后肠挥发物成分有十一烷、十四烷、十五烷、十六烷、十八烷和十九烷,十六烷(23.3%)和十九烷(21.5%)含量最多;雌成虫虫粪挥发物成分有十一烷、十二烷、十四烷、十六烷、十八烷和十九烷,十九烷含量最高,为29.9%;雄成虫虫粪挥发物成分有庚烷、十一烷、十二烷、十四烷、十六烷、十八烷、二十二烷和二十三烷,庚烷(20.5%)相对含量最多。此外,借助触角电位仪测定了脐腹小蠹雌雄虫触角对这些单一物质刺激的反应,结果显示,触角电位相对值较大的为十二酸、十四酸和十八烷。雌雄间比较发现十二酸、十四酸和十九烷刺激后雌雄间触角电位相对值差异达到了显著水平(P0.05)。田间诱捕结果显示,十二酸、十四酸、十九烷对脐腹小蠹的引诱数量雌雄间差异性达到了显著水平(P0.05),成虫诱捕总量最多的是十八烷,诱捕量达32.1头,其后诱捕量较多的为十二酸(24.1头)和十四酸(22.7头)。可以推断,十八烷、十九烷、十二酸和十四酸是脐腹小蠹聚集信息素的主要成分。     

Scolytus stepheni sp. n. - a new species of bark-beetle (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from Northern India with a key to Indian Scolytus Geoffroy, 1762 species

A new species of bark-beetle from Kashmir, Scolytus stephenisp. n., dedicated to the late Professor Emeritus Stephen Lane Wood, is described and figured. Key to Indian Scolytus Geoffroy, 1762 species is provided.     

Feeding by Scolytus bark beetles to test for differently susceptible elm varieties

Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by the fungi Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo‐ulmi, has reduced elm populations severely in Europe and North America. Breeding programmes are in action to find less susceptible elm varieties suitable for re‐establishing elm stands. Bark beetles, mainly Scolytus spp., are the only known natural vectors of DED. During twig feeding, beetles transfer Ophiostoma spores to healthy elms. Thus, less palatable elms should run a lower risk of DED infections. In feeding preference bioassays, we offered twigs from elms exhibiting different degree of susceptibility to O. novo‐ulmi, together with non‐host trees to Scolytus beetles. Scolytus multistriatus preferred wych elm, Ulmus glabra, to 100% in two‐choice tests, whereas S. laevis did not discriminate between a tolerant and a susceptible variety of field elm, U. minor. We suggest that the feeding assay is useful as a low‐tech method in breeding programmes for evaluating the suitability of promising elm genotypes to vector insects.     

Biocontrol of almond bark beetle (Scolytus amygdali Geurin-Meneville, Coleoptera: Scolytidae) using Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)

AIMS: To formulate the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana in invert emulsion, then apply it against adults of almond bark beetle (Scolytus amygdali) under laboratory and field conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of formulated B. bassiana in invert emulsion against S. amygdali adults was shown by comparing the mortality percentage of adults exposed to the formulated fungus using a Petri dish treatment method and by field applications to infested peach trees with mortality of adults exposed to the unformulated fungus or the untreated control. Results obtained from both exposure methods have indicated that treatment of S. amygdali adults with the formulated fungus resulted in a significantly higher mean mortality percentage (P < 0.05) when compared with the treatment with the unformulated fungus or the untreated control. This mortality ranged from 81.2 to 100%, 10 days after treatment with the formulated fungus when compared with 6.7 to 49.6% mortality, 10 days after treatment with the control or the unformulated fungus, respectively. Viability of the fungus conidia in invert emulsion was assessed by calculating the germination percentage of the conidia over time. Results indicated a high storage stability shown by a small loss of germination percentage for the formulated conidia of both strains (5.8 to 8.4% over a 12-week period) vs a low storage stability shown by a high loss of germination percentage for the unformulated conidia of the same strains (58.9 to 61.0% over the same period). The presence of B. bassiana in the galleries of beetles following the treatment of infested trees was shown in the present research. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained have demonstrated a significantly higher level of efficacy of formulated B. bassiana in invert emulsion against S. amygdali adults under laboratory and field conditions. The ingredients of invert emulsion used in the formulation of the fungus had a negligible effect on the viability of formulated conidia when compared with the unformulated. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results obtained in the present research are promising and may be exploited commercially to control S. amygdali adults on various species of stone fruit trees, especially peach trees. This type of biocontrol of this insect may be used as an alternative means to chemical control for management of the insect. No adverse environmental impacts of the fungus or its formulation have been observed during application.     

New data on Neotropical Scolytus Geoffroy, 1762 with description of five new species from Peru (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Five new species of Scolytus Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are described from Peru, namely Scolytus woodi, Scolytus carveli, Scolytus vagabundus, Scolytus lindemani, Scolytus mozolevskae .The following new synonym is established: Scolytus angustatus Browne, 1970 (= Scolytus facialis Schedl, 1973, syn. n.) New records of the Scolytus species in Loreto, Junin ,Cusco and Madre de Dios Provinces are given and the biology of the genus representatives is discussed.     

Phoretic mites and nematode associates of Scolytus multistriatus and Scolytus pygmaeus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Austria

Abstract 1 The species assemblages and abundance of phoretic mites and nematodes associated with the elm bark beetles, Scolytus multistriatus and Scolytus pygmaeus, were studied in Austria. 2 A total of 3922 individual mites were recorded from 144 adults of S. multistriatus and 178 adults of S. pygmaeus. The species spectrum was identical and the relative abundance of mites was very similar for both species of scolytids. Nine mite species, Pyemotes scolyti, Pseudotarsonemoides eccoptogasteri, Trichouropoda bipilis, Tarsonemus crassus, Proctolaelaps eccoptogasteris, Proctolaelaps scolyti, Chelacheles michalskii, nr. Eueremaeus sp. and Elattoma sp. were detected. Two of the nine species, nr. Eueremaeus sp. and Elattoma sp., are documented here as new associates of Scolytus spp. 3 Pyemotes scolyti was the most frequent mite species, and Ps. eccoptogasteri and T. bipilis were relatively common, whereas the other mites occurred occasionally or were rare. 4 The trophic roles of most of the mites associated with S. multistriatus and S. pygmaeus are poorly known, but they may include fungivores, parasitoids of bark beetle broods, predators of bark beetle broods and/or mites and/or nematodes. 5 Besides phoretic mites, two nematode associates were seen on the investigated insects. A species of Cryptaphelenchus occurred under the elytra of both scolytid species, whereas the adults of a Neoparasitylenchus sp. were present inside abdomens of S. multistriatus, but absent from S. pygmaeus.