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Identification of sex attractants for 6 North American click beetle species in 4 tribes of the Elateridae
Abstract
We describe experiments that evaluated potential sex pheromone components for 6 North American click beetle species. In field trials in Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, male beetles of 6 species were strongly attracted to geranyl butyrate (Agriotes insanus Candèze), 5-methylhexyl (Z)-4-decenoate (Elater abruptus Say), 11-dodecenyl butyrate (Melanotus ignobilis Melsheimer), and limoniic acid (Gambrinus griseus [Palisot de Beauvois], G. rudis [Brown], and G. plebejus [Say]). Collection of E. abruptus in South Carolina represents a new state record. For each species, capture rates varied geographically and temporally, possibly due to differences in local population densities and regional phenology, or the efficiency of different trap designs or trap placement. Structural similarities were observed between the tested attractants and previously identified pheromones of closely related species. For example, males of A. insanus were attracted to geranyl butyrate, analogous to the terpenoid ester pheromones of a number of European congeners. The attractant for E. abruptus, 5-methylhexyl (Z)-4-decenoate, is an analog of the pheromone of its European congener E. ferrugineus L., and the attractant for M. ignobilis, 11-dodecenyl butyrate, is an analog of attractants of European and Asian congeners. Attraction of the 3 Gambrinus species to limoniic acid parallels recent reports of attraction of the congeners G. seminudus (Van Dyke) and G. ursinus (Van Dyke) to this compound, which was originally identified from closely related species of Limonius. Full identifications of additional sex pheromones for elaterid species should provide a more complete picture of the diversities/similarities of the semiochemicals mediating reproductive behaviors of this biologically diverse and taxonomically complex group.
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One hundred and eighty-four species of Elateridae in 54 genera are recorded from the state of Montana, representing an increase of 92 species from the 93 species recorded from previously published literature. Distribution within Montana is reported by county and includes 1,724 individual county records. EstimateS was used to determine inventory completeness and predict the probable number of species expected in the state, which uses a Chao1 estimator. The Chao1 estimator mean predicts another 13 species remain to be discovered in the state. Selected genera are also provided with taxonomic notes that often highlight areas of potential future research and to highlight taxonomic issues or difficulties. The list also includes recently described genera to help establish limits for these new groups. The species concepts of Aeolus livens (LeConte, 1853) and Aeolus mellillus (Say, 1834) are clarified. A new combination, Megapenthes subtilis (LeConte, 1884), new combination, is proposed here. Specimens previously identified as Ampedus subtilis (LeConte) sensu Brooks 1960 are here identified as Ampedus nigricans Germar, 1834.
Synthetic sex pheromone lures are useful tools to monitor and control populations of adult click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae). However, sex pheromones for Agriotes click beetle species native to North America have yet to be identified. Here we report the identification and field testing of the sex pheromone of Agriotes ferrugineipennis. Headspace volatiles from female beetles were collected on Porapak Q, and aliquots of Porapak extract were analyzed by gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry. 7-Methyloctyl 7-methyloctanoate (7Me7Me) emitted by females was more abundant and elicited much stronger responses from male antennae than the aldehydes octanal and nonanal and the ketone 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone. In a field experiment, captures of A. ferrugineipennis males in traps baited with candidate pheromone components exceeded those of unbaited control traps, on average by nearly 1,200 times. Neither the ketone nor the aldehydes as lure constituents appeared to alter captures of males in 7Me7Me-baited traps. We conclude that 7Me7Me is the major, and possibly the only, sex attractant pheromone component of female A. ferrugineipennis.
Hexanoic acid, 1-octanol, 1,8-octanediol, octyl hexanoate, 1,8-octanediol monohexanoate, and 1,8-octanediol dihexanoate were identified in headspace volatiles collected from the crushed abdomen of a female click beetle of the species Parallelostethus attenuatus (Say) (Elaterinae, tribe Elaterini). In field trials carried out in Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, adult male beetles were strongly attracted to 1,8-octanediol dihexanoate alone. Blends of the dihexanoate with one or more of the other compounds proved to be less attractive than the dihexanoate alone, suggesting that the pheromone of this species may consist of a single compound. The symmetrical diester structure of the pheromone is a novel natural product and appears to be structurally unique among insect pheromones.
Most known click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) sex pheromones have been identified from economically important European species. We hypothesized that pheromone components might be conserved between New and Old World species, and so tested blends of known pheromones in California and Washington states.
Males of the endemic species Idolus californicus and Idolus columbianus (subfamily Elaterinae) were attracted to blends of neryl esters, many of which are known pheromones of related European species. Electroantennogram assays determined that antennae of male beetles responded strongly to two neryl esters, and in field bioassays, males of both species were specifically attracted to neryl hexanoate.
Female I . californicus were found to produce both neryl hexanoate and neryl octanoate, and lures that contained neryl hexanoate alone or in blends attracted male beetles. Neryl octanoate was not attractive, and neither synergized nor antagonized attraction to neryl hexanoate.
Males of Dalopius spp. also were captured in traps baited with lures containing neryl octanoate.
Our results support the hypothesis that the neryl ester pheromone motif is conserved among taxonomically related European and North American elaterids in the tribe Elaterinae, which should aid in the identification of pheromones of pest species within the tribe.
Four species of Limonius wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae), L. californicus, L. canus, L. infuscatus and L. agonus, are serious crop pests in North America. Limoniic acid, (E)-4-ethyloct-4-enoic acid, has been reported as a sex pheromone component of female L. californicus and L. canus, and a sex attractant for male L. infuscatus. In the same study, both limoniic acid and the analog (E)-5-ethyloct-4-enoic acid were highly attractive in field experiments. Moreover, six carboxylic acids in headspace volatiles of Limonius females elicited responses from male antennae but were not tested for behavioral activity. Here, we report trap catch data of Limonius spp. obtained in field experiments at 27 sites across North America. All four Limonius species were attracted to limoniic acid and to the analog but not to the carboxylic acids. Adding these carboxylic acids to limoniic acid, or to the analog, reduced its attractiveness. In dose–response studies, trap lures containing 0.4 mg or 4 mg of limoniic acid afforded large captures of L. californicus and L. infuscatus. Neither limoniic acid nor the analog were deterrent to other elaterid pest species. The broad attractiveness of limoniic acid to Limonius spp., and its non-deterrent effect on heterogeners, may facilitate the development of generic pheromone-based monitoring and management tools for multiple click beetle species.
Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), are soil-dwelling insect pests inflicting major economic damage on many types of agricultural crops worldwide. The objective of this work was to identify the female-produced sex pheromones of the Pacific Coast wireworm, Limonius canus LeConte, and the sugarbeet wireworm, L. californicus (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Headspace volatiles from separate groups of female L. canus and L. californicus were collected on Porapak Q and analyzed by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry. GC-EAD recordings revealed strong responses from male L. canus and male L. californicus antennae to the same compound, which appeared below GC detection threshold. The structure of this candidate pheromone component was deduced from the results of micro-analytical treatments of extracts, retention index calculations on four GC columns, and by syntheses of more than 25 model compounds which were assessed for their GC retention characteristics and electrophysiological activity. The EAD-active compound was identified as (E)-4-ethyloct-4-enoic acid, which we name limoniic acid. In field experiments in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, traps baited with synthetic limoniic acid captured large numbers of male Limonius click beetles, whereas unbaited control traps captured few. Compared to traps baited with the analogue, (E)-5-ethyloct-4-enoic acid, traps baited with limoniic acid captured 9-times more male L. californicus, and 6.5-times more male western field wireworms, L. infuscatus Motschulsky, but 2.3-times fewer male L. canus. Limoniic acid can now be developed for detection, monitoring and possibly control of L. californicus, L. infuscatus and L. canus populations.
Species-specific behavior-modifying chemicals have been used for more than 50 years for monitoring and management of insect pests of agriculture and human health. Elaterid beetle larvae are among insect pests in soil that are increasingly problematic, in part due to the lack of effective management strategies. However, little is known about the insect-produced chemicals that mediate the reproductive behavior of these pests. We used chemical and behavioral studies to identify, synthesize, and field test the sex attractant pheromone of adults of Melanotus communis, commonly called the corn wireworm, the larvae of which are economically important pests of U.S. crops. Our results indicated that a single female-produced chemical, 13-tetradecenyl acetate, was strongly attractive to conspecific male beetles, and did not appear to attract other species. In field evaluations, male M. communis exhibited a dose-dependent response to this compound. In a trial comparing different slow-release dispensers, a small rubber septum impregnated with the chemical was as effective as and easier to use than a plastic bag dispenser. Given that the sex attractant of this insect consists of a single compound that can be readily synthesized, its development for monitoring and management of the corn wireworm may be economically feasible.
The genus Limonius Eschscholtz, 1829 was last treated as a whole by Candèze (1860). Since then, members have been placed in eight other genera: Cidnopus Thomson, 1859; Gambrinus LeConte, 1853; Elathous Reitter, 1890; Kibunea Kishii, 1966; Limoniscus Reitter, 1905; Nothodes LeConte, 1861; Pheletes Kiesenwetter, 1858; and Solskyana Dolin, 1978. Based on the examination of adult and larval characters, five genera are recognized: Elathous Reitter, 1890; Gambrinus LeConte, 1853; Limonius Eschscholtz, 1829; Pheletes Kiesenwetter, 1858; and Tetralimonius new genus. Limoniscus Reitter, 1905 and Sichuanelater Platia and Gudenzi, 2006 are new synonymies of Gambrinus LeConte, 1853; Micrathous Lane, 1971, Neoathousius Schimmel and Platia, 1991 and Solskyana Dolin, 1978 are all new synonymies of Limonius. A total of 84 new combinations are proposed: Nearctic: Elathous huguenini (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Gambrinus angulatus (Motschulsky, 1859) new combination; Gambrinus bicolor (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Gambrinus clypeatus (Motschulsky, 1859) new combination; Gambrinus confusus (LeConte, 1853) new combination; Gambrinus cribriceps (Van Dyke, 1943) new combination; Gambrinus crotchii (Horn, 1872) new combination; Gambrinus flavomarginatus (Knull, 1938) new combination; Gambrinus fulvipilis (Candèze, 1860) new combination; Gambrinus griseus (Beauvois, 1805) new combination; Gambrinus humidus (Lane, 1941) new combination; Gambrinus interstitialis (Melsheimer, 1846) new combination; Gambrinus lanchesteri (Lane, 1941) new combination; Gambrinus meridianus (Knull, 1947) new combination; Gambrinus mirus (LeConte, 1853) new combination; Gambrinus norahae (Al Dhafer, 2009) new combination; Gambrinus olentangyi (Knull, 1947) new combination; Gambrinus plebejus (Say, 1825) new combination; Gambrinus propexus (Candèze, 1860) new combination; Gambrinus rudis (Brown, 1933) new combination; Gambrinus rufihumeralis (Lane, 1941) new combination; Gambrinus seminudus (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Gambrinus shircki (Lane, 1965) new combination; Gambrinus sinuifrons (Fall, 1907) new combination; Gambrinus snakensis (Lane, 1965) new combination; Gambrinus stigma (Herbst, 1806) new combination; Gambrinus pictus (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Gambrinus ulkei (Horn, 1871) new combination; Gambrinus ursinus (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Gambrinus venablesi (Wickham, 1913) new combination; Limonius brevis (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Limonius sordidus (Van Dyke, 1932) new combination; Pheletes lecontei (Lane, 1971) new combination; Tetralimonius definitus (Ziegler, 1845) new combination; Tetralimonius humeralis (Candèze, 1860) new combination; Tetralimonius maculicollis (Motschulsky, 1860) new combination; Tetralimonius nimbatus (Say, 1825) new combination; Tetralimonius ornatulus (LeConte, 1857) new combination. Palearctic: Gambrinus elegans (Buysson, 1891) new combination; Gambrinus gibbosus (Platia and Gudenzi, 2006) new combination. Gambrinus henanensis (Schimmel, 2006) new combination; Gambrinus hinakurai (Kishii, 1998) new combination; Gambrinus katoi (Kishii, 2002) new combination; Gambrinus kawaharai (Kishii, 2002) new combination; Gambrinus kucerai (Schimmel, 2006) new combination; Gambrinus nanshanensis (Arimoto and Hiramatsu, 2013) new combination; Gambrinus naomii (Kishii, 1997) new combination; Gambrinus shaanxiensis (Schimmel, 2006) new combination; Gambrinus suturalis (Gebler, 1844) new combination; Gambrinus takabai (Kishii, 1997) new combination; Gambrinus violaceus (Müller, 1821) new combination; Gambrinus wittmeri (Chassain, 1998) new combination; Gambrinus yamato (Kishii, 1998) new combination; Gambrinus yujii (Arimoto, 2013) new combination; Gambrinus zhejiangensis (Schimmel, 2015) new combination; Limonius brancuccii (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius decorus (Gurjeva, 1975) new combination; Limonius exiguus (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius hartmanni (Schimmel, 1998) new combination; Limonius hiermeieri (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius hirtus (Dolin, 1978) new combination; Limonius hubeiensis (Kishii and Jiang, 1996) new combination; Limonius kubani (Schimmel, 1996) new combination; Limonius loebli (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius longicornis (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius macedonicus (Cate and Platia, 1989) new combination; Limonius marginellus brusteli (Leseigneur, 2004) new combination; Limonius manaliensis (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius miandamensis (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius minusculus (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius nigronitidus (Han and Lee, 2012) new combination; Limonius platiai (Mertlik, 1996) new combination; Limonius pseudopilosus (Platia and Gudenzi 1985) new combination; Limonius recticornis (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius riesei (Platia, 1988) new combination; Limonius rusticus (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius schurmanni (Platia and Gudenzi, 1998) new combination; Limonius sinensis (Schimmel and Platia, 1994) new combination; Limonius singularis (Schimmeland Platia, 1991) new combination; Limonius stapfi (Schimmel, 2007) new combination; Limonius turcicus (Platia, 2004) new combination; Limonius wittmeri (Schimmel and Platia, 1991) new combination; Tetralimonius quercus (Olivier, 1790) new combination; Tetralimonius reitteri (Gurjeva, 1976) new combination. The following 12 North American species are removed from synonymy and recognized as valid species: Gambrinus interstitialis (Melsheimer, 1846) status resurrected; Gambrinus propexus (Candèze, 1860) status resurrected; Gambrinus shircki (Lane, 1965) status resurrected; Gambrinus snakensis (Lane, 1965) status resurrected; Gambrinus ulkei (Horn, 1871) status resurrected; Limonius anceps LeConte, 1853 status resurrected; Limonius dubitans LeConte, 1853 status resurrected; Limonius infuscatus Motschulsky, 1859 status resurrected; Limonius pilosulus Candèze, 1891 status resurrected; Limonis semianeus LeConte, 1853 status resurrected. Tetralimonius humeralis (Candèze, 1860) status resurrected; Tetralimonius maculicollis (Motschulsky, 1860) status resurrected. New replacement names are proposed for three homynyms: Limonius schimmeli Etzler new name for Neoathousius ferrugineus Schimmel and Platia, 1991; Elathous malatyanus Etzler new name for Elathous bicolor Platia, 2010, not Elathous bicolor (LeConte, 1853); and Microdesmes carteri Etzler new name for Limonius angulatus Carter, 1939 (= Microdesmes angulatus). Limonius kondratieffi Al Dhafer, 2009 is a new synonymy of Elathous bicolor (LeConte, 1853). A key to genera, generic descriptions, notes on species, and definitions of important characters are provided.
To date, all known or suspected pheromones of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) have been identified solely from species native to Europe and Asia; reports of identifications from North American species dating from the 1970s have since proven to be incorrect. While conducting bioassays of pheromones of a longhorned beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), we serendipitously discovered that males of Cardiophorus tenebrosus L. and Cardiophorus edwardsi Horn were specifically attracted to the cerambycid pheromone fuscumol acetate, (E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-yl acetate, suggesting that this compound might also be a sex pheromone for the two Cardiophorus species. Further field bioassays and electrophysiological assays with the enantiomers of fuscumol acetate determined that males were specifically attracted by the (R)-enantiomer. However, subsequent analyses of extracts of volatiles from female C. tenebrosus and C. edwardsi showed that the females actually produced a different compound, which was identified as (3R,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyl-6,10-dodecadienoic acid methyl ester (methyl (3R,6E)-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate). In field trials, both the racemate and the (R)-enantiomer of the pheromone attracted similar numbers of male beetles, suggesting that the (S)-enantiomer was not interfering with responses to the insect-produced (R)-enantiomer. This report constitutes the first conclusive identification of sex pheromones for any North American click beetle species. Possible reasons for the strong and specific attraction of males to fuscumol acetate, which is markedly different in structure to the actual pheromone, are discussed.
Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), have had a centuries-long role as major soil insect pests worldwide. With insecticidal control options dwindling, research on click beetle biology and ecology is of increasing importance in the development of new control tactics. Methodological improvements have deepened our understanding of how larvae and adults spatially and temporarily utilize agricultural habitats and interact with their environment. This progress, however, rests with a few pest species, and efforts to obtain comparable knowledge on other economically important elaterids are crucial. There are still considerable gaps in our understanding of female and larval ecology; movement of elaterids within landscapes; and the impact of natural enemies, cultivation practices, and environmental change on elaterid population dynamics. This knowledge will allow generation of multifaceted control strategies, including cultural, physical, and chemical measures, tailored toward species complexes and crops across a range of appropriate spatial scales.
Elater ferrugineus is a saproxylic click beetle inhabiting old deciduous trees in Europe. It is threatened throughout its area of distribution due to habitat loss. No efficient monitoring method has been available for this species, but observed attraction of females to (R)-(+)-γ-decalactone, which is a male-produced sex pheromone of its prey, the scarab beetle Osmoderma eremita, has led to the development of an odour lure for monitoring. In addition, four esters have recently been identified from the pheromone-producing gland in female E. ferrugineus, and a blend of these esters is highly attractive to conspecific males in the field, revealing an alternative odour-based method for monitoring this species. However, no rigorous analysis has been performed to check whether all four esters show biological activity in male E. ferrugineus, and whether its own sex pheromone is a more potent lure than the prey kairomone for monitoring of E. ferrugineus. In this study, we reinvestigated the E. ferrugineus sex pheromone, using electrophysiological and behavioural analyses, and found that only one of the esters, 7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate, is active. In addition, trapping experiments revealed that 7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate is a much more efficient attractant for male E. ferrugineus than the prey pheromone is for conspecific females, or any sex of O. eremita. With a very efficient odour lure at hand, novel information about current distribution, local population sizes, and dispersal ranges in E. ferrugineus can now be obtained, which can aid in conservation efforts to protect this threatened insect and its habitat.
Based on analysis of pheromone gland extracts, highly attractive new baits have been developed for three click beetle pests. That for Agriotes brevis is a mixture of geranyl butanoate and ( E,E )‐farnesyl butanoate, and that for A rufipalpis and A sordidus contains geranyl hexanoate alone. From known data from species populating Russia, optimized bait compositions for species in Central and Western Europe were developed as follows: geranyl octanoate + geranyl butanoate for A lineatus , geranyl isovalerate for A litigiosus , geranyl hexanoate + geranyl octanoate for A obscurus , geranyl butanoate alone for A sputator and ( E,E )‐farnesyl acetate alone for A ustulatus . Although slight differences were found in gland contents with A litigiosus var laichartingi and fenotypus typicus , nevertheless there were no differences in response to the optimum bait. There were no differences in pheromone composition or response to the optimized bait between the two morphological forms (‘black’ and ‘red’) of A ustulatus . As a result of these studies, highly effective pheromone baits are now available for monitoring and population reduction in all important pest click beetle species in Central and Western Europe.
© 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
The rare European click beetle, Elater ferrugineus L., develops exclusively in old, hollow deciduous trees. As a result of massive habitat loss caused by modern forestry, it is threatened throughout its entire distribution range and regarded as an indicator species for undamaged natural forests. As E. ferrugineus lives cryptically and its populations are frequently overlooked, we investigated its sex pheromone to develop a reliable detection tool. Pheromone gland extracts of single female E. ferrugineus were examined by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). All samples contained 7-methyloctyl 5-methylhexanoate, 7-methyloctyl octanoate, 7-methyloctyl 7-methyloctanoate, and 7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate in a ratio of approximately 1:1:3:3. Structures of all four esters, which have not been reported as pheromone compounds before, were confirmed by synthesis. A blend of the components was tested in the field and proved to be attractive for E. ferrugineus males, which were found to swarm exclusively during the day. This blend provides a noninvasive and effective monitoring method for this cryptic species, promising future collection records of E. ferrugineus in regions where it exists below the limit of detection by conventional collecting methods.
The larval stages of click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) species, several of which are serious agricultural pests, are called wireworms. Their cryptic subterranean habitat, resilience, among-species differences in ecology and biology, and broad host range, as well as the lack of objective economic injury thresholds, have rendered wireworms a challenging pest complex to control. Significant progress has been made in recent years, introducing a new effective class of insecticides and improving species identification and our understanding of species-specific phenology, chemical ecology (i.e., adult sex pheromones and larval olfactory cues), and abiotic and biotic factors influencing the efficacy of biological control agents. These new developments have created opportunities for further research into improving our risk assessment, monitoring, and integrated pest management capabilities.
Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 69 is January 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Sex pheromone lures are effective tools for monitoring and potentially controlling populations of pest click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae). To date, these lures are genus‐specific (e.g., Limonius spp.) or species‐specific (e.g., Agriotes lineatus Linnaeus). However, if sympatric heterogeners were not to be repelled by each other's pheromones, trap lures effective for multiple elaterid genera could be developed, improving cost efficiency in elaterid pest management programs. In both western and eastern North America, several species of Agriotes spp. and Limonius spp. co‐occur and inflict similar crop damage. We investigated whether the sex pheromones of these species can be combined in a mixed lure without reducing its attractiveness to all target species. In western Canada, we show that the pheromones of A. lineatus (geranyl butanoate & geranyl octanoate) and Limonius spp. [( E )‐4‐ethyloct‐4‐enoic acid (limoniic acid)] can be combined without significantly reducing captures of male A. lineatus , L. canus (LeConte), L. californicus (Mannerheim) and L. infuscatus (Motschulsky) relative to traps baited with species‐specific lures for A. lineatus and Limonius spp.. Similarly, the pheromone of A. obscurus (Linnaeus) (geranyl hexanoate & geranyl octanoate) and limoniic acid can be combined without significantly reducing trap captures of male L. canus , L. infuscatus and L. californicus but reduced A. obscurus captures relative to traps baited only with the A. obscurus pheromone. In eastern Canada, combining pheromones for Agriotes mancus (Say) (geranyl butanoate & geranyl hexanoate) and limoniic acid reduced captures of A. mancus but not A. pubescens (Melsheimer) and A. sputator (Linnaeus). These data imply that pheromones of select elaterid heterogeners can be combined in a ‘catch‐more’ pheromone lure to effectively monitor for, or possibly control, multiple elaterid pests, but that such mixed lures should be evaluated for each species combination.
Corn wireworm, Melanotus communis Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Elateridae), is an economically important larval pest of root and tuber crops in the United States. Previous work to estimate field-level abundance of M. communis has focused on grain-based larval baits placed in soil. However, this sampling method is labor intensive and may not estimate population size accurately. Recent discovery of the M. communis sex pheromone, 13-tetradecenyl acetate, provides a new method to monitor this pest during the adult stage. Early studies with this pheromone showed that different trapping methods might enhance catch and improve trap servicing. We hypothesized that placing lures on elevated traps would increase M. communis capture relative to the in-ground pitfall trapping that is currently used. We had 2 objectives for this study: (a) to compare pheromone captures among in-ground pitfall traps, on-ground pitfalls, elevated pitfalls (1 m), or elevated sticky cards (1 m) and (b) test lure longevity by aging the lures outdoors at 8-, 6-, 4-, 2-, and 0-wk intervals prior to trap deployment in the field. Experiments were conducted in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida during the 2021 and 2022 field seasons. Results highlight large variation in M. communis abundance across the 4 states. We showed that 1 m elevated pheromone traps caught the most beetles. The age of the lure prior to deployment had a significant effect on trap catch. The lures that were aged for fewer weeks attracted significantly more beetles, with 0- and 2-wk-old lures capturing the greatest numbers.
The wheat wireworm, Agriotes mancus (Coleoptera: Elateridae), is a predominant elaterid pest species in the Nearctic region, with a life history and morphology similar to those of Agriotes obscurus , Agriotes lineatus and Agriotes sputator , three Palearctic pest elaterids invasive in North America. Here, we report the identification and field testing of the sex pheromone of A. mancus.
We collected headspace volatiles from female beetles on Porapak Q, and analysed aliquots of Porapak extract by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) and by GC‐mass spectrometry. In GC‐EAD recordings, two esters—geranyl butanoate and geranyl hexanoate—elicited antennal responses from A. mancus males. In field experiments, trap lures containing both geranyl butanoate and geranyl hexanoate afforded large captures of A. mancus males, which were—on average—approximately 30‐fold higher than captures in traps baited with a single ester.
Traps baited with geranyl butanoate as a single‐component lure captured a significant number of Palearctic A. sputator , indicating the establishment of A. sputator in its invaded Nearctic range .
With the A. mancus sex pheromone now known, it can be included in the development of pheromone‐based programmes to monitor and manage native and invasive Agriotes pests in North America.
Sex pheromones are known for only a few major click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) pests in North America. These pheromones could be used to monitor, as well as control, adult beetles. Our objective was to identify the sex pheromone of female Selatosomus aeripennis destructor (Brown), a predominant elaterid pest species in farmland in the Canadian Prairie provinces. Headspace volatiles from a group of S. a. destructor females were collected and analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-EAD recordings revealed two candidate pheromone components that elicited weak (CPC-1) or strong (CPC-2) responses from adult male S. a. destructor antennae. The mass spectra of CPC-1 and CPC-2 indicated, and authentic standards confirmed, that they were the isomers (E)-β-farnesene and (Z,E)-α-farnesene, respectively. In three field experiments at various sites in Alberta, Canada, traps baited with synthetic (Z,E)-α-farnesene captured 7.1×, 6.8×, and 2.6× more males than unbaited control traps. In follow-up experiments, traps baited with (Z,E)-α-farnesene captured significantly more males, but significantly fewer females, than unbaited control traps, indicating sex pheromone autodetection by females. (E)-β-Farnesene on its own was not attractive as a trap lure, and when added to (Z,E)-α-farnesene at a 20:1 ratio, it reduced the lure’s attractiveness. Our data support the conclusion that (Z,E)-α-farnesene is the major sex pheromone component of S. a. destructor females, with both an intra- and inter-sexual communication function.
Two European click beetle species, Agriotes obscurus L. (AO) and A. lineatus L. (AL) have become serious pests of agriculture in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island areas of British Columbia (BC), but prior to the start of this survey (2017) it was unknown if they had established elsewhere in the Province. Pitfall traps baited with sex pheromone of AO and AL were placed throughout BC in 2017-2019 and collected a total of 4,988 AO and 20,103 AL beetles in 150 trap pairs. Both species were found to be distributed throughout southern BC, including high numbers in Creston, Kelowna, Pemberton, and Salmon Arm. Traps placed in northern BC, northern Alberta, northern Idaho, or the Willamette valley in western Oregon did not collect AO or AL. Traps were also deployed for A. sputator L., a related European species that has become a serious pest of potato in eastern Canada, but this species was not collected. AO and AL traps placed in the Pemberton valley of BC also collected 474 A. ferrugineipennis (LeConte), and traps placed in the northern Okanagan valley collected 75 A. oregonensis Becker. Both are native Agriotes species not closely related to AO or AL; this is the first time A. oregonensis was collected in Canada. We discuss the potential implications of the spread of AO and AL to other agricultural areas in BC and beyond.
Alkynylphosphines are rarely used as ligands in asymmetric metal catalysis. We synthesized a series of chiral bis(oxazoline)alkynylphosphine ligands and used them in Rh-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective allylic amination reactions of 1,2-disubstituted allylic phosphates. Chiral 1,2-disubstituted allylic amines were synthesized in up to 95% yield with >20:1 branched/linear (b/l) ratio and 99% ee from racemic 1,2-disubstituted allylic precursors. The sterically smaller linear alkynyl group on the P atom in the bis(oxazoline)alkynylphosphine ligands was the key to fit the new requirements of the introduction of bulky 2-R' groups.
The study of pheromones of click beetles was started with the objective of applying similar methods in IPM strategies for the control of wireworms, based on the similar experience gained from the widely used moth pheromones. A brief overview is presented on the identification of click beetle pheromones, new questions arising in the categorization of these pheromones into sex or aggregation pheromones, options for the development of female-targeted lures, and application perspectives.
Trapping efficacy of funnel-vane and water pan traps baited with synthetic sex pheromone of the sugarcane wireworms, Melanotus sakishimensis Ohira and M. okinawensis Ohira (Coleoptera: Elateridae), were investigated in sugarcane fields on Miyako Island and Okinawa Island in 1998. Funnel-vane traps captured significantly more males of both M. sakishimensis and M. okinawensis than did water pan traps.
Two components, (E)-9,11-dodeccadienyl butylate and (E)-9,11-dodecadienyl hexanoate, of the attractant of the sugarcane wireworm were synthesized via hydrozirconation to control the regioselective coupling reaction.
Ectinus aterrimus (L.) is a fairly common European click beetle species which develops mainly in forests. In pheromone gland extracts of female
E. aterrimus, examined using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS), one single compound was present. This was identified as 7-methyloctyl
9-methyldecanoate by comparison with a synthetic sample. Field trapping trials revealed a highly significant attraction of
male E. aterrimus towards this ester. The structure of the compound differs remarkably from the pheromones of the closely related Agriotes spp., which exclusively use terpene esters.
The click beetle genus Limonius is revised for North America and forty-seven species are recognized: L. aeger LeConte, L. aurifer LeConte, L. auripilis (Say), L. basilaris (Say), L. beutenmuelleri Van Dyke, L. bicolor Van Dyke, L. californicus (Mannerheim), L. canus LeConte, L. clypeatus Motschulsky, L. confusus LeConte, L. consimilis Walker, L. cribriceps Van Dyke, L. crotchii Horn, L. definitus Ziegler, L. ectypus (Say), L. flavomarginatus Knull, L. fulvipilis Candeze, L. griseus (Beauvois), L. huguenini Van Dyke, L. humidus Lane, L. jonesi Lane, L. lanchesteri Lane, L. lanei Van Dyke, L. meridianus Knull, L. mirus LeConte, L. nebulosus Van Dyke, L. nimbatus (Say), L. nitidulus Horn, L. olentangyi Knull, L. ornatulus LeConte, L. pappi Becker, L. pectoralis LeConte, L. pictus Van Dyke, L. plebejus (Say), L. quercinus (Say), L. rectangularis Fall, L. sinuifrons Fall, L. stigma (Herbst), L. subauratus LeConte, L. ursinus Van Dyke, L. venablesi Wickham, two new species are described, L. kondratieffi n.sp., L. norahae n. sp., and nine new synonyms are recognized. Limonius insperatus Brown is designated as a synonym of L. aeger LeConte, L. dubitans LeConte is designated as a synonym of L. agonus (Say), L. shircki Lane and L. snakensis Lane are designated as synonyms of L. crotchii Horn, L. infuscatus Motschulsky is designated as a synonym of L. ectypus (Say), L. seminudus Van Dyke is designated as a synonym of L. fulvipilis Candeze, L. maculicollis Motschulsky is designated as a synonym of L. ornatulus LeConte, L. arizonicus Van Dyke is designated as a synonym of L. sinuifrons Fall, L. anceps LeConte is designated as a synonym of Limonius subauratus LeConte, and L. agonus (Say) is recognized as a valid species. Neotypes were designated for L. agonus and L. ectypus. Limonius debilis Dejean is considered a Nomen dubium.
The most effective traps for capturing cerambycids and other saproxylic beetles are intercept designs such as funnel traps and cross-vane panel traps. We have observed that adult cerambycids of many species often alight and walk upon panel traps, and few are actually captured. In an effort to improve trap capture and retention, researchers have treated intercept traps with Rain-X, a polysiloxane formulation that renders surfaces more slippery. Here, we summarize experiments that compared the efficacies of Rain-X and Fluon, a PTFE fluoropolymer dispersion, assurface treatments for panel traps that are deployed to capture cerambycid beetles, using untreated traps as controls. Fluon-treated traps captured on average > 14x the total number of beetles, and many more cerambycid species, than were captured by Rain-X-treated or control traps. Beetles captured by Fluon-treated traps ranged in body length by 350%. They could not walk on vertical panels treated with Fluon but easily walked on those treated with Rain-X and on untreated traps. Moreover, a single Fluon treatment remained effective for the entire field season, even in inclement weather. We conclude that treating panel traps with Fluon greatly improves their efficiency in capturing cerambycid beetles. This increased efficacy will be particularly important when traps are deployed to detect very low-density populations, such as incursions of exotic species, or remnant communities of rare and endangered species. The influence of Fluon on trap efficiency may vary with product formulation and its source and also with climatic conditions.
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