Christopher J. Fettig
Pacific Southwest Research Station,
Davis, California
Tanzania
Research Article
Verbenone Plus Reduces Levels of Tree Mortality Attributed to Mountain Pine Beetle Infestations in Whitebark Pine, a Tree Species of Concern
Author(s): Christopher J. Fettig, Beverly M. Bulaon, Christopher P Dabney, Christopher J Hayes and Stephen R McKelveyChristopher J. Fettig, Beverly M. Bulaon, Christopher P Dabney, Christopher J Hayes and Stephen R McKelvey
In western North America, recent outbreaks of the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, have been severe, long-lasting and well-documented. We review previous research that led to the identification of Verbenone Plus, a novel four-component semiochemical blend [acetophenone, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol + (Z)-2-hexen-1- ol, and (–)-verbenone] that has been demonstrated to inhibit the response of a closely-related bark beetle species, western pine beetle, D. brevicomis LeConte, to attractant-baited traps and trees. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of Verbenone Plus for protecting stands of whitebark pine, Pinus albicaulis Engelm., a species of concern being considered for listing as a threatened and endangered species, from mortality attributed to D. ponderosae infestations in the central Sierra Nevada, California, USA. The experimental design was completely randomize.. View More»
