Sex Pheromone of the Mirid Bug Phytocoris relativus

The sex attractant pheromone produced by adult females of the mirid bug Phytocoris retativus has been identified as a 2:1 blend of hexyl acetate with (E)-2-octenyl butyrate. The pheromone is stage-, sex-, and species-specific, attracting only adult male P. relativus. Hexyl acetate was identified in aeration extracts from both sexes, while (E)-2-octenyl butyrate was produced only by females. Both males and females also produced hexyl butyrate and octyl acetate, while only females produced (E)-2-hexenyl and octenyl acetates, and (Z)-3-octenyl acetate. The function(s) of these chemicals were not determined. Attraction of males increased with dose, with doses of 0.1 to 33 mg loaded on grey rubber septa. Attractiveness of rubber septum lures decreased quickly with age due to the volatility of the two pheromone components.