Rapid Assessment of Cerambycid Beetle Biodiversity in a Tropical Rainforest in Yunnan Province, China, Using a Multicomponent Pheromone Lure

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The Cerambycidae comprise a diverse (>35,000 species) family of wood-boring beetles. Many are of concern as invasive species because their long-lived larvae are readily transported around the world concealed in wooden products and packing materials. Over the past two decades, our understanding of cerambycid pheromone chemistry has advanced rapidly, with pheromone structures now described for several hundred species. Furthermore, mixtures of cerambycid pheromones have been shown to potentially act as effective multispecies lures. In this study, traps baited with generic lures deployed at ground level and in the tree canopy in 22 randomly located permanent plots in a nature reserve in Yunnan, China, captured 4541 beetles of 71 species. Using Hierarchical Modeling of Species Communities, we developed informative models for 18 species and demonstrated that trap height, slope, elevation, and leaf-area index were important determinants of cerambycid beetle distribution. Our results demonstrate the potential for using generic lures to detect and monitor cerambycid populations at ports of entry, and for the study of cerambycid beetle ecology. ABSTRACT: The Cerambycidae comprise a large and ecologically important family of wood-boring beetles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a generic lure as a potential monitoring tool. Working in a subtropical forest in southwest China, we set traps baited with generic lures at ground level (1 m) and canopy height (~18 m) across 22 randomly located forest plots (12 regenerating forest, 10 mature forest). Three stations were established per plot and each plot was trapped for 7 days in May–June 2013. In total, 4541 beetles of 71 species were caught, including 26 species with 10 or more individuals. We used Hierarchical Modeling of Species Communities (HMSC) to analyze the data and produced informative models for 18 species, showing that trap height, slope, elevation, and leaf-area index were important determinants of cerambycid distribution. Our results demonstrate the potential for using generic lures to detect and monitor cerambycid populations, both for regulatory purposes and for the study of cerambycid beetle ecology. Further research should focus on refining lure blends, and on repeated sampling to determine temporal and spatial dynamics of cerambycid communities.