THE EFFECT OF ATTRACTANTS ON PINE BARK BEETLES

Abstract We tested the effect of monoterpenes and aggregation pheromones on pine bark beetles in Romanian pine stands, from spring 2000 to 2005. We recorded the number of beetles captured in winged-funnel traps, and we compared the results by evaluating the intensity of attraction (number of insects captured per day per trap). Our results reveal that the primary attractants -monoterpenes by themselves or in combination -have an attractive effect on Tomicus sp., Trypodendron sp., Hylurgops sp. and Hylastes sp., while traps containing aggregation pheromones mostly captured the bark beetles Ips sexdentatus, I. acuminatus and I. typographus. These traps captured a higher number of the predator Thanasimus formicarius, than traps containing monoterpenes