Christopher J. FettigPacific Southwest Research Station

Invasives

and Threats Team

61st

California Forest Pest Council Annual MeetingMcClellan, CA

Development of Novel Development of Novel SemiochemicalSemiochemical--tools tools to Protect Trees from Bark Beetlesto Protect Trees from Bark Beetles

FFS

Stud

y

Insecticide and Insecticide and SemiochemicalSemiochemical--

This is not the kind This is not the kind of thing we are of thing we are talking abouttalking about……

C. Fettig, PSW

Bole SpraysBole SpraysFettigFettig, C.J., K.K. Allen, R.R. , C.J., K.K. Allen, R.R. BorysBorys, J. , J. ChristophersonChristopherson, C.P. , C.P. DabneyDabney, T.J. Eager, , T.J. Eager, K.E. Gibson, E.G. K.E. Gibson, E.G. HebertsonHebertson, D.F. Long, A.S. , D.F. Long, A.S. Munson, P.J. Shea, S.L. Smith, and M.I. Munson, P.J. Shea, S.L. Smith, and M.I. HavertyHaverty. 2006. . 2006. Effectiveness of Effectiveness of bifenthrinbifenthrin

(Onyx(Onyx™™) and ) and carbarylcarbaryl

((SevinSevin®®

SL) for protecting individual, highSL) for protecting individual, high--value value trees from bark beetle attack (trees from bark beetle attack (ColeopteraColeoptera: : Curculionidae: Curculionidae: ScolytinaeScolytinae) in the western ) in the western United States.United States.

J. Econ. J. Econ. EntomolEntomol. 99: . 99: 16911691−−1698. 1698.

FettigFettig, C.J., T.E. , C.J., T.E. DeGomezDeGomez, K.E. Gibson, C.P. , K.E. Gibson, C.P. DabneyDabney, and R.R. , and R.R. BorysBorys. 2006. . 2006. Effectiveness of Effectiveness of permethrinpermethrin

plusplus--C C ((MasterlineMasterline®®) and ) and carbarylcarbaryl

((SevinSevin

SLSL®®) for ) for protecting individual, highprotecting individual, high--value pines from value pines from bark beetle attack. bark beetle attack. Arbor. Urban For. 32: Arbor. Urban For. 32: 247247−−252.252.

C. Fettig, PSW

C. Fettig, PSW

Issues Issues --

Bole SpraysBole Sprays(drift)(drift)••

97% of spray deposition occurs 97% of spray deposition occurs

within 50 feet of the tree bole.within 50 feet of the tree bole.

••

Application efficiency (i.e., Application efficiency (i.e., percentage of insecticide applied percentage of insecticide applied that is retained on trees) ranges that is retained on trees) ranges from 80 to 90%. from 80 to 90%.

••

NoNo--spray buffers of 25 feet are spray buffers of 25 feet are sufficient to protect freshwater sufficient to protect freshwater fish, amphibians, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, crustaceans, bivalves, and most aquatic insects. bivalves, and most aquatic insects.

from Fettig

et al. (2008)

Issues Issues --

Bole SpraysBole Sprays(accessibility)(accessibility)

C. Fettig, PSW C. Fettig, PSW

Bark Beetles and Systemics

More recently, researchers looking for More recently, researchers looking for portable and environmentallyportable and environmentally--friendly friendly alternatives have examined the alternatives have examined the effectiveness of injecting small effectiveness of injecting small quantities of systemic insecticides quantities of systemic insecticides directly into trees. directly into trees.

The efficacy of phloemThe efficacy of phloem--mobile active mobile active ingredients injected with pressurized ingredients injected with pressurized is promising. These systems push is promising. These systems push adequate volumes of product (i.e., adequate volumes of product (i.e., generally less than several hundred ml generally less than several hundred ml for even large trees) into the small for even large trees) into the small vesicles of the sapwood.vesicles of the sapwood.

C. Fettig, PSW

Bole InjectionsGrosmanGrosman, D.M., C.J. , D.M., C.J. FettigFettig, C.L. , C.L. Jorgensen, and A.S. Munson. Jorgensen, and A.S. Munson. 2010. 2010. Effectiveness of two Effectiveness of two systemic insecticides for systemic insecticides for protecting western conifers from protecting western conifers from mortality due to bark beetle mortality due to bark beetle attack. attack. W. J. Appl. For. 25: W. J. Appl. For. 25: 181181−−185. 185.

““To our knowledge, this is the To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the first demonstration of the successful application of a successful application of a systemic insecticide for systemic insecticide for protecting individual conifers protecting individual conifers from mortality attributed to from mortality attributed to bark beetle attack in the western bark beetle attack in the western U.S.U.S.””

Now registered for Now registered for “…“…Ips Ips engraver beetles, MPB, engraver beetles, MPB, SPB, SB, and WPBSPB, SB, and WPB…”…”

In our work, we havenIn our work, we haven’’t t seen efficacy for SB and seen efficacy for SB and have observed somewhat have observed somewhat mixed results in MPB. In mixed results in MPB. In both cases, we feel timing both cases, we feel timing between beetle flight and between beetle flight and translocation of EB translocation of EB following injection are following injection are important.important.

Bole Injections -

Fall

FettigFettig, C.J., D.M. , C.J., D.M. GrosmanGrosman, and A.S. Munson. 2013. , and A.S. Munson. 2013. Efficacy of Efficacy of abamectinabamectin

and and tebuconazoletebuconazole

for protection of lodgepole pine from mortality attributed to for protection of lodgepole pine from mortality attributed to mountain pine beetle attack and progression of blue stain fungi.mountain pine beetle attack and progression of blue stain fungi.

J. J. EntomolEntomol. . Sci., in review.Sci., in review.

SemiochemicalSemiochemical

Chemical produced by Chemical produced by one organism that one organism that produces a response, produces a response, usually behavior, in usually behavior, in another organism.another organism.

S. McKelvey, PSW

C. Fettig, PSWC. Fettig, PSW

VerbenoneVerbenone

••

VerbenoneVerbenone

(4,6,6(4,6,6--trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hepttrimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept--33--enen--22-- one) is the one) is the antiaggregationantiaggregation

pheromone of at least pheromone of at least

three primary bark beetles; MPB, SPB and WPB.three primary bark beetles; MPB, SPB and WPB.

••

Produced by autoProduced by auto--oxidation of the host oxidation of the host monoterpenemonoterpene αα--pinenepinene

via the intermediary compounds via the intermediary compounds ciscis--

and and

transtrans--verbenolverbenol, by the beetles themselves, and/or , by the beetles themselves, and/or through degradation of host material.through degradation of host material.

•

First registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (licensed for sale and distribution) in December 1999 to control SPB in southern forests. Subsequently, MPB and WPB.

History of History of VerbenoneVerbenone

and WPBand WPB••

First identified in male WPB (Renwick 1967). First identified in male WPB (Renwick 1967). Elicits Elicits negative response on tethered, flying females (Hughes negative response on tethered, flying females (Hughes and Pitman 1970).and Pitman 1970).

•

Reduces captures at a baited source (Bedard

et al. 1980). Trap catches further reduced by higher release rates (Tilden and Bedard

1988).

•

Reduces (with ipsdienol, produced by male WPB and other sympatric bark beetles) landing rates and attack densities on trees (Bertram and Paine 1994).

•

Trap catch was further reduced by adding nonhost volatiles (Poland et al. 1998, Fettig

et al. 2005).

VerbenoneVerbenone/WPB/WPB

FettigFettig, C.J., S.R. McKelvey, , C.J., S.R. McKelvey, R.R. R.R. BorysBorys, C.P. , C.P. DabneyDabney, , S.M. S.M. HamudHamud, L.J. Nelson, , L.J. Nelson, and S.J. Seybold. 2009. and S.J. Seybold. 2009. Efficacy of Efficacy of verbenoneverbenone

for for protecting ponderosa pine protecting ponderosa pine stands from western pine stands from western pine beetle (beetle (ColeopteraColeoptera: : Curculionidae, Curculionidae, ScolytinaeScolytinae) ) attack in California. attack in California. J. J. Econ. Econ. EntomolEntomol. 102: . 102: 18461846−−1858.1858.

Other failures in PIPOOther failures in PIPO……••

BubblecapsBubblecaps

and pouches ineffective or results and pouches ineffective or results

inconclusive (inconclusive (MPBMPB; ; BentzBentz

et al. 1989, Lister et et al. 1989, Lister et al. 1990, Gibson et al. 1991, Gibson and al. 1990, Gibson et al. 1991, Gibson and KegleyKegley

2004, 2004, NegrNegróónn

et al. 2006). et al. 2006).

••

Flake formulation ineffective for individual Flake formulation ineffective for individual tree protection (tree protection (WPBWPB; Gillette et al. 2006).; Gillette et al. 2006).

••

Pouches (5 g) and bags (7.5 g) ineffective for Pouches (5 g) and bags (7.5 g) ineffective for area (0.5 ha) or individual tree protection area (0.5 ha) or individual tree protection ((WPBWPB; Hayes 2007, personal comm.).; Hayes 2007, personal comm.).

Mean release Mean release rate of rate of pouches from pouches from all locations all locations and exposure and exposure periods was periods was 44.5 mg/d.44.5 mg/d.

Release RatesRelease Rates

Laboratory analyses Laboratory analyses of release rates and of release rates and chemical chemical composition of composition of volatiles emanating volatiles emanating from from verbenoneverbenonepouches following pouches following field exposure field exposure found found no no deterioration of the deterioration of the active ingredientactive ingredient or or physical malfunction physical malfunction of the release of the release device. device.

Chemical CompositionChemical Composition

Why?Why?We believe lack of efficacy is primarily due to four factors:We believe lack of efficacy is primarily due to four factors:

••Levels of inhibition, (e.g., trapping studies) are low.Levels of inhibition, (e.g., trapping studies) are low.

••A single A single semiochemicalsemiochemical

is likely not sufficient to provide is likely not sufficient to provide desired behavioral effects. desired behavioral effects.

••Low stand densities (PIPO) result in unstable layers and Low stand densities (PIPO) result in unstable layers and multimulti--directional traces (eddies) that dilute synthetic directional traces (eddies) that dilute synthetic verbenoneverbenone

plumes.plumes.

••Limited range of inhibition suggests larger numbers of Limited range of inhibition suggests larger numbers of pouches per unit area are required to achieve maximum pouches per unit area are required to achieve maximum efficacy. efficacy.

Range of InhibitionRange of InhibitionConservatively, the optimal distribution of 5-g verbenone pouches (i.e., assuming inhibition was constant to 2 m) would require 250 pouches/ac, which is five-fold greater than used in this study and likely uneconomical under most scenarios.

FettigFettig, C.J., S.R. , C.J., S.R. McKelvey, and D.P.W. McKelvey, and D.P.W. Huber. 2005. Huber. 2005. NonhostNonhost

angiosperm volatiles angiosperm volatiles and and verbenoneverbenone

disrupt disrupt response of western response of western pine beetle, pine beetle, DendroctonusDendroctonus

brevicomisbrevicomis ((ColeopteraColeoptera: : ScolytidaeScolytidae), to ), to attractantattractant--baited baited traps. traps. J. Econ. J. Econ. EntomolEntomol. 98: . 98: 20412041−−2048.2048.

FettigFettig, C.J., C.P. , C.J., C.P. DabneyDabney, S.R. , S.R. McKelvey, and D.P.W. Huber. 2008. McKelvey, and D.P.W. Huber. 2008. NonhostNonhost

angiosperm volatiles and angiosperm volatiles and verbenoneverbenone

protect individual protect individual ponderosa pines from attack by ponderosa pines from attack by western pine beetle and red western pine beetle and red turpentine beetle (turpentine beetle (ColeopteraColeoptera: : Curculionidae, Curculionidae, ScolytinaeScolytinae)). W. J. Appl. . W. J. Appl. For. 23: 40For. 23: 40––45. 45.

“…“…NAVV to individual ponderosa pines NAVV to individual ponderosa pines significantly reduced tree mortality, significantly reduced tree mortality, with only four of 30 attractantwith only four of 30 attractant--

baited trees dying from bark beetle baited trees dying from bark beetle attack while 50% mortality (15/30) attack while 50% mortality (15/30) was observed in the untreated, baited was observed in the untreated, baited control. To our knowledge, this is the control. To our knowledge, this is the first reportfirst report…”…”

S. McKelvey, PSW

Why Why VerbenoneVerbenone

Plus?Plus?

SPLAT has many desirable qualities SPLAT has many desirable qualities as a controlled release formulation: as a controlled release formulation:

Provides rain and UV protection.Provides rain and UV protection.

Biologically inert and bioBiologically inert and bio--

degradable. Approved by EPA for degradable. Approved by EPA for organic uses.organic uses.

Ability to vary release rates and Ability to vary release rates and duration from weeks to months.duration from weeks to months.

Specialized Pheromone & Lure Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application TechnologyApplication Technology

C. Fettig, PSW

“SPLAT™-verbenone”

for Single Tree Protection

S. McKelvey, PSW

2011 Mortality/nSPLAT (~40 g/tree) 0/21Untreated control 28/30

2012 Mass attack/nSPLAT (7g/tree) 0/30Untreated control 28/30

2012 Mass attack/0.1 acre circular plot*

SPLAT (7g/tree) 0Untreated control 61

Data are preliminary. *Total number of trees mass

attacked on plots surrounding each treated trees (n =

30/trt).

Numerous colleagues and companies Numerous colleagues and companies (Fruit Growers, Sierra Pacific (Fruit Growers, Sierra Pacific Industries, Industries, SoperSoper--Wheeler) Wheeler) contributed technical expertise, contributed technical expertise, financial resources, and other financial resources, and other resources (e.g., field sites) to the resources (e.g., field sites) to the many studies referenced in this many studies referenced in this presentation. Without them, this presentation. Without them, this work would not have been possible. work would not have been possible. Significant financial support was Significant financial support was provided by the Forest Health provided by the Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET), Pesticide Impact (FHTET), Pesticide Impact Assessment Program, Special Assessment Program, Special Technology Development Program, Technology Development Program, Western Bark Beetle Initiative, and Western Bark Beetle Initiative, and agreements with agreements with ArborjetArborjet

Inc., Inc., BASF Corp., Bayer Environmental BASF Corp., Bayer Environmental Science, Science, ContechContech

Inc., DuPont Crop Inc., DuPont Crop Protection, FMC Corp., ISCA Protection, FMC Corp., ISCA Technologies, Technologies, MaugetMauget

Corp., Corp., SyngentaSyngenta

Crop Protection, Crop Protection, UnivarUnivar

USA, and University of Georgia.USA, and University of Georgia.C. Fettig, PSW

Thanks!Thanks!cfettig@fs.fed.uscfettig@fs.fed.us