Novel trunk trap net designs for the control of Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

BACKGROUND Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus is a major pest of tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, in China. Damage caused by E. scrobiculatus has increased as beetle populations have expanded. We developed a trunk trap net (TTN) and two modified TTNs, that is, a TTN with a wire ring (TTN‐WR) and a TTN with a spongy cushion (TTN‐SC), and evaluated their ability to capture E. scrobiculatus in plantations of A. altissima. RESULTS: We obtained significantly higher laboratory weevil recapture rates using the TTN‐WR and TTN‐SC (98 and 95.3%, respectively) than using the TTN (65.3%). In total, 84.8 and 85.8% of marked weevils were captured by the TTN‐WR and TTN‐SC, respectively; 1.52‐ and 1.54‐fold greater than the catch rates using a TTN in mark–release–recapture field trials. Similarly, we captured significantly more wild weevils using the TTN‐WR and TTN‐SC (2.02‐ and 2.03‐fold more weevils) than using the TTN. Further field trials showed that the TTN‐SC treatment significantly reduced densities of weevils and damage to tree of heaven in stands. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that the TTN‐SC is clearly effective for capturing E. scrobiculatus. TTN‐SC may be used as an alternative for E. scrobiculatus management with less or no insecticide. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]