Exploitation of kairomones and synomones by Medetera spp. (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), predators of spruce bark beetles

Abstract

The semiochemical relationships in a predator-prey-host plant system were studied by a series of multiple-choice field assays. The studied system included predatory flies of the genus Medetera (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), the bark beetles Ips typographus and Pityogenes chalcographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) as prey and Norwegian spruce (Picea abies) as the host plant. Of the nine species of predators collected, only M. setiventris and M. melancholica provided sufficient data for statistical analysis. The response of the predators to monoterpenic products of the host (alpha-pinene, limonene, camphor), pheromone compounds of I. typographus (S-cis-verbenol and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol) and a mixture of the pheromones of I. typographus and P. chalcographus were investigated. Our field trials revealed that tree volatiles plus pheromones of the prey, and a pheromone mixture of both prey species were considerably more attractive to M. setiventris and M. melancholica than the individual chemicals. Medetera seem to respond to the stage of tree decay and the intensity of bark beetle infestation via the ratios of tree volatiles and/or prey pheromones.

Keywords

• dolichopodidae
• medetera setiventris
• medeteramelancholica
• predator
• ips typographus
• pityogenes chalcographus
• picea abies
• volatiles
• semiochemicals
• kairomones
• pheromones
• monoterpenes