Autodissemination of Beauveria bassiana by Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to Overwintering Sites

An autoinoculative device was used to test the ability of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to carry a specific strain of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin to overwintering sites in a multiyear field study. The device was baited with the pheromone and coattractants for the dusky sap beetle (Carpophilus lugubris Murray) and placed in the field in the fall of each year. The introduced strain occurred at high frequency among the B. bassiana isolated in the fall of all four years tested (100% of all isolates from 21 of 22 collection dates). The introduced strain of B. bassiana was isolated at high frequency from all the B. bassiana-contaminated sap beetles recovered from the overwintering traps (100% of all isolates from 13 of 23 trap/beetle species combinations) and was highest after the longest fall exposure. The introduced strain was primarily isolated from C. lugubris and C. antiquus, but species distribution was also dependent on the overwintering trap design used. Few non-sap beetles species of insects were recovered from the artificial overwintering sites. Although B. bassiana was isolated from free flying sap beetles caught in traps in the spring of each year, none were infected with the introduced strain. The autoinoculating device provides selective contamination of sap beetles in overwintering sites when used in the fall. It may be useful in providing some control of sap beetles or other insects where limited numbers of mass overwintering sites (such as tree holes) occur.