Abstract:

Monochamus alternatus Hope is a primary vector of pinewood nematode, the causative agent of pine wilt disease. Its oviposition behavior is influenced by semiochemicals during its searching for host plants to feed and oviposit. A series of selection tests were conducted in the laboratory to measure the impacts of plant volatiles and insect pheromone on oviposition preference of M. alternatus.The results showed that M. alternatus had the highest oviposition preference to Pinus thunbergii, while the beetle had the least oviposition preference to P. massoniana. There was significant difference in oviposition preference to P. thunbergii and P. massoniana, but no significant difference when the former two trees were compared with P. taeda andP. elliottii.The trees infested by pinewood nematode were more attractive to the female beetles than healthy trees. When supplied with scarmade bolts and healthy bolts simultaneously, the beetles deposited significantly fewer eggs on the former; when the females were provided with fecescoated bolts and healthy bolts simultaneously, they deposited significantly fewer eggs on the fecescoated bolts as well. The above experiments indicated semiochemicals may have influence on oviposition preference of the females. The result suggested promising potential for pest management by use of semiochemicals to regulate behavior in sawyer beetle management.

Key words: Monochamus alternatus Hope, pinewood nematode, pine tree, oviposition selection, semiochemicals