Investigation of possible use of pheromone trap for adult population development and control of Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1776) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) damaging black pine in Başkent University Bağlıca Campus afforestation area

Abstract

The six-toothed pine bark beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1776) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the important pests of Pinus and Picea species in the forests of Türkiye. Başkent University Bağlıca Campus was established in 1993 and approximately 5 million trees have been planted in the area to date, including those that have dried up. Pheromone traps were hung in campus for monitoring the adult population development, determining the flight activities of the insect and controlling it on IPM principles. The first adult emergence of I. sexdentatus in Bağlıca took place in the first half of April, the highest flight activity was in April. Ips sexdentatus produced three generations in the region. The highest numbers of adults caught in traps were 741 (27 July 2021) and 421 (25 April 2022), respectively. In the Bağlıca Campus, a total of over 19,000 insects were caught and eliminated. Almost 328 tC of carbon stock was preserved and prevented from being released into nature and at least 11.100 black pine trees were saved or 26.640 USD was contributed to the economy. Using pheromone traps for the control of I. sexdentatus is recommended as a sustainable method that protects biodiversity, without any disturbance of the ecological balance.