Use of acoustics to deter bark beetles from entering tree material

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2014
Authors:Aflitto, Hofstetter
Journal:Pest Management Science
Volume:70
Issue:12
Pagination:1808 - 1814
Date Published:Jan-12-2014
Abstract:

BACKGROUND
Acoustic technology is a potential tool to protect wood materials and eventually live trees from colonization by bark beetles. Bark beetles such as the southern pine beetle Dendroctonus frontalis, western pine beetle D. brevicomis and pine engraver Ips pini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) use chemical and acoustic cues to communicate and to locate potential mates and host trees. In this study, the efficacy of sound treatments on D. frontalis, D. brevicomis and I. pini entry into tree materials was tested.

RESULTS
Acoustic treatments significantly influenced whether beetles entered pine logs in the laboratory. Playback of artificial sounds reduced D. brevicomis entry into logs, and playback of stress call sounds reduced D. frontalis entry into logs. Sound treatments had no effect on I. pini entry into logs.

CONCLUSION
The reduction in bark beetle entry into logs using particular acoustic treatments indicates that sound could be used as a viable management tool.

URL:http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ps.2014.70.issue-12
DOI:10.1002/ps.2014.70.issue-1210.1002/ps.3720
Short Title:Pest. Manag. Sci.
BioAcoustica ID: 
Non biological: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith