Effect of an inhibitor-based suppression tactic on abundance and distribution of the southern pine beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and its natural enemies

An inhibitor-based tactic can suppress southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, infestations using the anti-aggregation pheromone, verbenone. However, it is unknown whether southern pine beetle and its insect natural enemies are impacted by this tactic. We evaluated potential effects by examining mean trap catches, aggregation measures, species diversity and abundance indices, and interspecific covariation between southern pine beetle and its most common insect enemies. Examination of flight and landing trap catches, before and after application of verbenone to infestations, showed that southern pine beetle and its natural enemies remained at the sites at similar densities, continued their associations, and maintained similar spatial distributions. This suggests that verbenone reduces successful colonization of unattacked trees and has no negative effect on the relationship of southern pine beetle with its natural enemies.