An effective attractant for the pinewood nematode vector Arhopalus rusticus in South Korea

Abstract

The longhorn beetle, Arhopalus rusticus, is an agriculturally important quarantine pest due to its ability to carry the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), which causes pine wilt disease (PWD). Reduction or elimination of the vector of B. xylophilus would be regarded as an effective measure towards the goal of controlling PWD. Since the trapping method is popularly used to monitor and kill the vectors of pine wood nematode recently, the effective and cheap attractant would be needed. The present study describes the creation of an attractant for A. rusticus and the development of a quick, easy way to evaluate the effectiveness of attractants.