An Operational Pheromone-Based Suppression Program for an Ambrosia Beetle, Gnathotrichus sulcatus, in a Commercial Sawmill12

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Abstract
Sticky-traps baited continuously with racemic sulcatol (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-01) set out in 5 locations in a commercial sawmill in 1976, captured 42,907 Gnathotrichus sulcatus (LeConte), an estimated 65.1% of the total population. Peak flights occurred in the 1st wk of May and Sept. Highest attack rates on lumber occurred also at these times and for the following 3 wk as attacking beetles apparently set up competitive natural sources of secondary attraction. Major factors associated with higher beetle catches were temperature, mill log inventory, and lumber inventory. Numbers of attacks on lumber were also positively correlated with the sum of the attacks for the previous 3 wk. Percentage suppression of beetles was highest in the warmer summer months when inflight populations were low. Vertical distribution of beetles on traps was directly related to height of the pheromone release system. The suppression traps required less than one man-day/month for maintenance, and offer an effective alternative to the use of conventional insecticides. The mass trapping technique could be readily adapted for dryland log sorting areas to help prevent the build up of pest populations of G. sulcatus.

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