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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #364763
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Comparison of piperitone, verbenone, and a-farnesene as repellents for Euwallacea nr. fornicatus, vector of Fusarium dieback in Florida avocado

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item NARVAEZ, TERESA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Schnell, Elena
item VAZQUEZ, AIME - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2019
Publication Date: 7/21/2019
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Narvaez, T.I., Schnell, E.Q., Vazquez, A., Tabanca, N., Carrillo, D. 2019. Comparison of piperitone, verbenone, and a-farnesene as repellents for Euwallacea nr. fornicatus, vector of Fusarium dieback in Florida avocado [abstract]. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting. 21-24 July 2019.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In recent years, beetles morphologically identical to tea shot-hole borer, Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), have become established in Florida and California. These invasive beetles (collectively E. near fornicatus) are highly polyphagous and vector fungal pathogens that cause Fusarium dieback, a vascular disease of avocado (Persea americana Miller), woody ornamentals, and native forest trees. Previously, we identified piperitone (p-menth-1-en-3-one) as a new repellent for host-seeking E. nr. fornicatus in Florida. In this study, we compare efficacy of piperitone to two other repellents, verbenone and a-farnesene, all formulated in plastic bubble dispensers. Two replicate field tests were conducted in commercial avocado groves. Each test was run for 12 weeks and compared captures of beetles in baited traps (quercivorol and a-copaene lures) versus captures in traps containing lures plus repellent. To complement field tests, SuperQ collections followed by GC analyses were performed to quantify emissions from repellent dispensers over a 12-week period. In addition, electroantennography (EAG) was used to measure beetle olfactory response to each repellent. Overall, repellency was comparable with piperitone and verbenone, resulting in 50-70% decrease in beetle captures, with longevity of 10-12 weeks. No significant decrease in captures was observed with a-farnesene. EAG responses to piperitone and verbenone were equivalent, and significantly greater than response to a-farnesene. Since piperitone is less expensive than verbenone, this study identifies an economical alternative repellent for incorporation into pest management programs for E. nr. fornicatus.