Monoterpene
Guides
Conophthorus ponderosae
lodgepole cone beetle, sugar pinecone beetle, ponderosa pine cone beetle
Conophthorus ponderosae is a scolytine bark beetle in the family Curculionidae that specializes in attacking the cones of pine trees, particularly Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine) and Pinus monticola (western white pine). The species is known as a significant pest in seed orchards and natural stands, where heavy infestations can severely reduce seed production. Research has documented its response to host monoterpenes including myrcene, which exhibits both repellency and toxicity effects, and its sex pheromone system involving pityol compounds. The species occurs across western North America and has been the focus of semiochemical-based management research due to the difficulty of conventional insecticide applications in some habitats.
Pityophthorus puberulus
A twig beetle in the subfamily Scolytinae, Pityophthorus puberulus is commonly associated with eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) in seed orchards. Field studies indicate it responds to the pheromone pityol, with attraction enhanced by the monoterpenes (-)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene. Its attraction is inhibited by S-(-)-limonene, suggesting this compound may function in host recognition and suitability assessment. The species has been documented as a bycatch in trapping programs targeting the white pine cone beetle, Conophthorus coniperda.