Comparing different trapping tools to improve the monitoring of ambrosia beetle

Ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae) are wood-boring beetles that are known for making pin-sized holes in host trees where they cultivate a fungus as food. This is significant because ambrosia beetle damage is known to limit nutrient and water uptake affecting the salability of attacked plants or leading to the death of the stressed tree. For growers in Virginia, the impacts of ambrosia beetles are well documented, and the control of this pest typically involves the application of pyrethroid insecticides to ensure tree protection. A way to effectively monitor for ambrosia beetles is the use of an ethanol lure alongside with a killing agent; however, there is a lack of quantitative evidence between killing agent and lures influence trapping ambrosia beetles. This study looked at the interaction between soapy water, boat antifreeze, and car antifreeze in combination with an ethanol lure or no lure to capture adult ambrosia beetles. Based on the results, the presence of an ethanol lure significantly increased the number of ambrosia beetles captured when placed with the boat antifreeze. Even with captures lower without the presence of an ethanol lure, the boat antifreeze attracted and captured ambrosia beetles when compared to the other killing agents. Therefore, the combination of boat antifreeze and an ethanol lure has a potential interaction that positively attracts beetles, leading to a higher overall capture rate. This could influence having an effective monitoring tool to properly time pest control tactics.