Research Progress on Aggregation Pheromone Systems of Major Ips/Pseudips Bark Beetles Attacking the Thickleaf Spruce: A Mini-Review

The aggregation pheromone systems of three major spruce bark beetles, Ips nitidus, I. shangrila, and Pseudips orientalis in Qinghai, China, were recently identified in a joint international effort. 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 74%-(-)-ipsdienol and (S)-cis-verbenol are the aggregation pheromone components of I. nitidus; 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 99%-(+)-ipsdienol and (S)-cis-verbenol are determined as the aggregation pheromone components of I. shangrila, whereas 95%-(-)-ipsenol and (S)-cis-verbenol are the primary aggregation pheromone components for P. orientalis. Traps baited with the corresponding synthetic aggregation pheromone lures have been used as an efficient monitoring tool in an integrated pest management program against these serious forest pest insects, and might also have a potential for future mass-trapping. In the current mini-review, we summarized the recent research and progress related to the aggregation pheromone identification work, especially for the Chinese speaking readers.