Changes to volatile profiles of arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, from drought and insect infestation: olfactory cues for the cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei

Abstract The cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) prefers to build breeding galleries in decaying host trees. However, volatile cues specific or actively infested trees have not yet been reported. Any such information would be useful for the management of this invasive, wood-boring species that has become established across Europe temperate zone and is now a key pest ornamental Cupressaceae nurseries urban landscapes. Our objective was reveal components volatiles stressed trees, which could potential signals its suitability colonisation. Volatile profiles arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ suffering from either dehydration fresh infestation P. collected compared samples healthy control Analyses by gas chromatography coupled an electroantennographic detector revealed substantial differences between healthy, dehydrated Structural elucidation major antennally active both α-pinene α-thujene were prevalent whilst α-thujone component In trunks housing female nuptial chambers, sharp increases β-pinene, myrcene, limonene, p-cymene noticed, alongside trace amounts camphene fenchene. Volatiles frass showed similar profile, but with somewhat smaller amount limonene. Fenchone present each type volatiles, however, only low amounts. Further studies should directed behavioural role these components, helpful developing kairomone-based techniques monitoring flight stands scale-leafed