Ethanol and α-pinene as synergists for the aggregation pheromones of two Gnathotrichus species

Abstract

Gnathotrichusretusus (LeConte) of both sexes were significantly more responsive to traps baited with S-(+)-sulcatol whenever ethanol was also present as a bait. Ethanol and α-pinene together acted as synergists for male G. sulcatus (LeConte) response to (±)-sulcatol. There was no synergistic effect on female response and no interaction between trap form and synergistic for G. sulcatus. Use of ethanol and α-pineneas synergists for (±)-sulcatol in a pest management program for G. sulcatus would enhance the male catch and thus reduce the possibility of uncaptured males creating competing pheromone sources.