Attraction ofOrthotomicus erosus andPityogenes calcaratus to a synthetic aggregation pheromone ofIps typographus

Funnel traps baited with a synthetic aggregation pheromone ofIps typographus L. (Pheroprax) or with methyl-butenol were tested for mass-trapping ofOrthotomicus erosus (Woll.) andPityogenes calcaratus Eichh. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), the major bark beetle pests of pine forests in Israel. The traps were operated during three periods in the years 1985–1986 in five pine forests. More than 170 individuals ofO. erosus and 180P. calcaratus per trap per day were caught in Pheroprax-baited traps in the warm season; the latter species was trapped in large numbers also during the winter. Traps baited with methyl-butenol did not attract significant numbers ofO. erosus orP. calcaratus. Sixteen species of insect associates and predators of pine scolytids were trapped, but onlyHylurgus micklitzi Wachtl (Scolytidae),Eremotes porcatus Germ. (Curculionidae) (first record in Israel) andAulonium ruflcorne Oliv. (Colydiidae) were caught in considerable numbers (a total of several hundred). The mass catches of the target beetles and the very small number of predators trapped, suggest that Pheroprax-baited traps may be useful for bark beetle management in Israeli pine forests.