Limonene inhibits attraction to α-pinene in the pine weevilsHylobius abietis andH. pinastri.

The field responses ofHylobius abietis (L.) andH. pinastri (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to various combinations of two host monoterpenes and ethanol were studied using baited pitfall traps. Both species were attracted to α-pinene, and when ethanol was added the attraction increased by 5-16 times. Limonene completely inhibited the attraction to α-pinene, even when the release rate of limonene was only about 1/50 that of α-pinene. The catches in traps with α-pinene and limonene as well as with limonene alone were similar in size to catches in empty control traps, i.e., no true repellent effect was demonstrated. When limonene was added to the combination of α-pinene and ethanol on old clear-cuttings, the catch ofH. pinastri was completely inhibited while that ofH. abietis was reduced by two thirds. On fresh clear-cuttings the inhibitory effect of limonene on the attraction to the α-pinene-ethanol combination was small or absent. Some aspects of host interactions are discussed as are practical implications regarding the choice of seedling material for planting and prospects of finding deterrents for protecting seedlings from pine weevil damage.