Volatile Combustion Products of Wood Attract Acanthocnemus nigricans (Coleoptera: Acanthocnemidae)

Abstract

Acanthocnemus nigricans is an Australian pyrophilic beetle approaching smoldering logs for mating and oviposition. We investigated the behavior of the beetles towards combustion products of cellulose (5-methylfurfural, hydroxacetone, karrikinolide), lignin (4-methylguaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, eugenol), and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol in a custom built dynamic two arm olfactometer. The beetles were attracted by 5-methylfurfural, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, eugenol, and hydroxyacetone at different concentrations. Abundances of beetles caught in traps baited with a mixture of the most attractive volatiles showed only a trend to higher numbers. These results are discussed with respect to weather conditions and complementing infrared perception of the pyrophilic beetles.