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Enantiospecific responses of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) and its clerid predator, Thanasimus dubius, to α-pinene

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Abstract

Multi-trophic interactions between pine bark beetles, their host trees, and predators are mediated in part by volatile terpenes in host tree oleoresin that can influence aggregation and/or host finding by both prey and predator species. The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, mass-attacks pine trees in response to its aggregation pheromone combined with host resin odors including α-pinene. We investigated discrimination of α-pinene enantiomers in olfactory responses of D. frontalis, and in behavioral responses of D. frontalis and its major clerid predator, Thanasimus dubius (Fabricius). Trapping trials in the spring and fall assessed attraction of both species to the D. frontalis aggregation pheromone components, frontalin and endo-brevicomin, either alone or in combination with α-pinene lures of differing enantiomeric compositions. α-Pinene lures enriched with the (+)-enantiomer (97.5 %) increased D. frontalis catches significantly more than (−)-enriched (93 %) lures, but did not differ from racemic lures. Sexes of D. frontalis did not differ from one another in their responses to the enantiomers, and there was no difference in lure discrimination by D. frontalis and T. dubius. Thanasimus dubius did not distinguish between different α-pinene enantiomers. Dose–response electroantennogram studies of D. frontalis indicated that their antennae had a slightly lower response threshold to (+) than (−)-α-pinene. Each enantiomer habituated the antennae more to itself than to its antipode, implying the existence of olfactory receptors with differing affinities for enantiomers. The preference of D. frontalis for (+)-α-pinene may affect its host selection behavior, and should be considered in population monitoring lures.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Matt P. Ayers (Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Jersey), Wayne C. Berisford, Mark J. Dalusky (University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia), and the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection for project trapping materials. We also thank Sean Meadows, Brittany Barnes, and Jordan Burke (Forest Entomology Laboratory, University of Georgia) for field assistance. Statistical support was provided by Kimberly Love-Myers (Statistical Counseling Center, University of Georgia). JoAnne Barrett and Emma Sullivan provided laboratory technical support. Financial support for the project was provided by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, and Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Landis International, Inc., 3185 Madison Highway, Post Office Box 5126, Valdosta, GA, 31602, USA

    Jenny C. Staeben

  2. USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, 2500 Shreveport Highway, Pineville, LA, 71360, USA

    Brian T. Sullivan

  3. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, 200 WT Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, NC, 28804, USA

    John T. Nowak

  4. Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Kamal J. K. Gandhi

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  1. Jenny C. Staeben
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Correspondence to Jenny C. Staeben.

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Staeben, J.C., Sullivan, B.T., Nowak, J.T. et al. Enantiospecific responses of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) and its clerid predator, Thanasimus dubius, to α-pinene. Chemoecology 25, 73–83 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-014-0175-0

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