Monolithic dispensers for pheromones and use in mating disruption of the ambrosia beetle Megaplatypus mutatus in poplar plantations

Abstract

Megaplatypus mutatus (formerly Platypus mutatus) (Chapuis) is an ambrosia beetle native to South America that attacks standing live trees, mining deeply into the xylem through large tunnels. This activity weakens the structural integrity of the tree, causing severe stem‐breakage and mortality. Attacks are initiated by pioneer males that select a host tree and build short nuptial galleries to which they attract females using a sex pheromone. Volatiles emitted are composed of (+)‐6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐ol [(+)‐sulcatol], 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one (sulcatone) and 3‐pentanol. Previously, we showed the potential of the strategy of pheromone‐mediated mating disruption of M. mutatus in commercial poplar and hazelnut plantations in South America and Europe using polyethylene reservoir dispensers for pheromones and found that damage reduction was greater than 56% in all cases. In the present study, the polymeric reservoir dispensers were replaced by matrix dispensers made by dispersion of the pheromone in natural waxes or polyethylene glycols that act as a matrix with the addition of a filler. After treatment, the number of mating galleries was significantly higher (70%) in control than in treated areas. Using natural materials for dispensers, we confirmed that mating disruption is a viable tool for the management of M. mutatus in poplar plantations