Anisandrus maiche Stark (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a non-native ambrosia beetle from central Asia, has been spreading throughout the eastern United States since 2005. In its currently invaded range, preferred hosts are not well characterized, however, A. maiche attacks living plantation grown black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) in northwestern Indiana. Ambrosia beetles form symbiotic relationships with fungi and encounter an array of other facultative and opportunistic fungi from the environment. Current monitoring and detection efforts rely on ethanol-baited traps; however, the use of fungal volatiles to more effectively manage A. maiche has yet to be demonstrated. In this study, we conducted field-based trapping experiments in northwestern Indiana to determine the extent two fungal alcohols, isoamyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol, attract or repel A. maiche and influence their response to ethanol-baited traps. In addition, we evaluated the influence of ethanol release rate on A. maiche trap capture. Our results suggest fungal alcohols alone repel A. maiche but may enhance attraction to ethanol-baited traps. Moreover, mean A. maiche capture was highest in baited traps releasing at least 3 g/day of ethanol. These results represent a first step in understanding the role of fungal volatiles in the colonization behavior of A. maiche and may ultimately inform management strategies for this species.
