Inhibition of attraction to aggregation pheromone by verbenone and ipsenol : Density regulation mechanisms in bark beetleIps typographus

The semiochemicals verbenone (Vn), ipsenol (Ie), and ipsdienol (Id), present in late phases of host colonization, have been implicated as qualitative “shut-off” signals regulating attack density. Combinations of the three chemicals were released in pipe traps together with the aggregation pheromone components 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MB) andcis-verbenol (cV) at different levels and in different ratios to MB + cV, and with two spacings of traps to test for possible effects on reducing catch at traps baited with aggregation pheromone. When they were released with the attractants Vn and Ie (alone or together) decreased the mean catch significantly at the higher release rates used (1 mg/day). Id alone or together with Vn at low release rates (0.1 mg/day), with the attractants, increased catch somewhat. A dose-response test of Vn, with the attractants held constant, showed a decline in catches, down to about < 10% of the control, at ratios of Vn to cV between 1∶1 and 150∶ 1. A larger spacing (25 m) of traps gave a stronger response to change in doses of Vn and MB + cV than a smaller (6 m) spacing. The sex ratio was more skewed towards females when two or three inhibitors were present and at higher doses of Vn. It is suggested that Vn could be the most important density-regulating signal in the natural system, as release of Vn from galleries is larger and starts earlier than that of Id and Ie.