Shoot! Foiled Again! Using Chemicals to Discourage the Pine Shoot Beetle
The pine shoot beetle is an invasive species in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The pine shoot beetle was brought to the United States from Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. The scientists in this study asked whether the pheromones that the invasive beetle uses could be used to deter them from attacking pine trees.
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In this FACTivity, we want you to think about what scents you really like and what scents you really do not like.FACTivity – Shoot! Foiled Again!
In this FACTivity, we want you to think about what scents you really like and what scents you really do not like.
Glossary
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Stephen Burke
In the 1980s, I created a special chemical in a chemistry lab. This was a powerful pheromone that is a very strong attractant for a particular species of beetle. This...View Profile -
Peter De Groot
My favorite science experience is working outdoors to set up and run my experiments so that I can discover new facts about trees and forest insects.View Profile -
Robert Haack
My favorite science experience happened in ancient history (1975-1978) when I was working as a forester in the Peace Corps in Guatemala in Central America. There was a massive outbreak...View Profile -
Reginald Nott
My favorite science experience had to be meeting Dr. Roberta Bondar who worked at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre when she was a student attending university. Dr. Roberta Bondar was...View Profile -
Therese Poland
My favorite research experience was working in China. The experience was so different from the United States. Many local farmers and children came to help us. The area had very...View Profile -
David Wakarchuk
One of my most exciting moments as a chemist occurred when we took the first pheromone lures into the field during a beetle flight. It had taken several months of...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Article:
Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environments
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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In this lesson plan, students learn about invasive species in their area and create brochures educating others about their characteristics. Materials: Internet or library access for research Paper and writing...Lesson Plan – Invasive Species
In this lesson plan, students learn about invasive species in their area and create brochures educating others about their characteristics. Materials: Internet or library access for research Paper and writing...
Education Files
Project Learning Tree
If you are a Project Learning Tree trained educator, you may use PLT Pre
K–8th Activity Guide #3, “Peppermint Beetles,” Activity Guide #22, “Trees
As Habitats,” and Activity Guide #77, “Trees In Trouble,” as additional activity resources.
These activities show how insects use scent for communication, how insects use different parts of trees, and how trees express stress.