Research progress on chemical control of Monochamus alternatus

Monochamus alternatus, the primary vector of the highly destructive forest disease pine wilt caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN), poses a severe threat to the pine forest ecosystem and forestry production in China. Chemical control remains the most commonly used method for managing M. alternatus due to its rapid and effective results. Nevertheless, long-term use of chemical agents has led to resistance development, resulting in reduced efficacy and environmental contamination. This review synthesizes chemical control techniques against M. alternatus, including semiochemical attractants (plant-derived volatiles and insect pheromones) and insecticides (thiacloprid and abamectin), as well as application methods such as aerial spraying, trunk injection, and fumigation, together with their mechanisms of action. We evaluate the advantages and limitations of current measures and discuss their integration with biological and physical tactics. Coordinated, multi-tactic approaches within an integrated pest management (IPM) framework can enhance control efficacy while mitigating adverse environmental impacts. Future research should prioritize the development of low-toxicity, high-efficacy, low-residue products, elucidation of resistance mechanisms, and refinement of integrated strategies centered on chemical, biological, and physical measures to achieve environmentally sound and sustainable management of M. alternatus.