Effectiveness of different trapping protocols for outbreak management of the engraver pine beetle Ips acuminatus (Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

A population of Ips acuminatus was monitored from 2007 to 2009 by multi-funnel pheromone-baited traps in a Scots pine forest of the southeastern Alps of Europe. We compared the captures obtained with two different lures (Austrian and Spanish pheromones, commercially available) in five infested types of forest. Although captures showed a similar trend among sites, with no significant interaction between lures and sites, the Spanish pheromone was on average eight times more attractive than the Austrian one. The mean number of trapped insects was lower in healthy stands (control) and old clearcuts (more than 1 year old) than in sites suffering recent infestation (standing or felled infested trees and recent clearcuts). Total captures were significantly correlated with tree mortality recorded annually within a 500 m radius around the traps. This pattern may be a useful input for establishing the timing of application of the best monitoring program of I. acuminatus populations. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.