Effect of volatiles from Dendroctonus valens and Pinus tabulaeformis on the behavioral selection of natural enemy

The predators of Red turpentine beetle ( RTB), Dendroctonus valens were investigated by the method of anatomizing of the pine trunk and rearing choice test. One of predator species of RTB (Prostomis sp.) was found in the larval gallery. Behavioral response of this natural enemy to the volatiles emitted from healthy pines ( Pinus tabulaeformis) RTB damaged pines and fecal pellets of RTB were studied with a Y-tube olfactometer. The results showed that natural enemies were attracted to all the volatiles above, especially to that of damaged pines. Volatiles from healthy pines, RTB damaged pines and fecal pellets of RTB could be used by the natural enemies to locate the host habitat and to discriminate the pines damaged from healthy ones. The predator species of RTB (Prostomis sp.) was more sensitive to (S) - ( +) -3 -Carene than three other monoterpenes in the lab. experiment.