Mass-trapping ofCarpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in stone fruit orchards using synthetic aggregation pheromones and a coattractant: Development of a strategy for population suppression

Experiments were conducted in southern New South Wales to evaluate the potential of mass-trapping using synthetic aggregation pheromones and a coattractant as a control option forCarpophilus spp. in stone fruit orchards. A cordon of 54 pipe and 54 funnel traps (one trap of each type per perimeter tree) baited with pheromones ofC. mutilatus andC. davidsoni and coattractant (fermenting bread dough) was maintained around an apricot orchard for three weeks prior to harvest. The incidence ofCarpophilus spp. in ripe fruit in the center of the orchard was significantly reduced compared to a nearby orchard or the perimeter trees containing traps. A cordon of 16 water-filled Magnet funnel traps baited with pheromones ofC. mutilatus andC. davidsoni and coattractant was placed around a 9 × 9 block of trees in a peach orchard (single traps on alternate perimeter trees). This trapping regime significantly reduced infestation of fruit baits byCarpophilus spp. in the center tree over a period of six weeks compared to fruit baits in trap trees and distant (100 m) control trees. However, cordons of eight pheromone traps within 1 m of single trees or a single trap adjacent to a tree increasedCarpophilus spp. infestation of fruit baits by up to 7.5 × compared to trees without pheromone traps. Mass-trapping based on perimeter positioning of pheromone traps (at a yet to be determined distance from protected trees) appears to show potential as a control strategy forCarpophilus spp. in stone fruit orchards during fruit ripening and harvest but traps too close to trees must be avoided. Development of a strategy for population suppression is discussed with respect to trap type, efficacy, positioning, and density; pheromone and coattractant delivery systems; and orchard sanitation.     

Aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus dimidiatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and responses toCarpophilus pheromones in South Carolina

The major component of the male-produced aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus dimidiatus (F.) is (3E, 5E, 7E, 9E)-6,8-diethyl-4-methyl-3,5,7,9-dodecatetraene. It attracts beetles of both sexes in the field and is synergized by odors from fermenting bread dough; mean trap catches for the tetraene alone, tetraene plus dough, dough alone, and control were 24.5, 48.3, 0.02, and 0.00, respectively. In the laboratory, individual males produced 0.58 µg±0.35 µg (SD) of the tetraene per day, but males in groups of 10–50 produced <2% as much per beetle. A second male-specific compound, (3E, 5E, 7E, 9E)-5,7-diethyl-9-methyl-3,5,7,9-tridecatetraene, was also identified fromC. dimidiatus and is about 5% as abundant as the major pheromone component.Carpophilus flight activity was monitored for one year in South Carolina corn fields with the pheromones forC. dimidiatus, C. freemani Dobson,C. mutilatus Erichson,C. hemipterus (L.),C. lugubris Murray, andC. obsoletus Erichson, all in combination with bread dough. The first four of these species accounted for 18, 70, 5.7, and 0.03%, respectively, of the totalCarpophilus trapped, but noC. lugubris orC. obsoletus were captured. Captures ofC. freemani were as high as 11,400/trap/week. Species specificity for the first four pheromones was high, except that a synthetic impurity in theC. dimidiatus pheromone was somewhat attractive toC. freemani andC. mutilatus. Three other species captured.C. antiques Melsheimer,C. marginellus Motschulsky, andC. humeralis (F.), accounted for 0.005, 5.0, and 1.3% of the total catch, respectively.C. antiquus was attracted primarily to the pheromone ofC. dimidiatus, butC. marginellus andC. humeralis responded to most of the test pheromones. There were two major periods ofCarpophilus flight activity: February through June and September through November.Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the names by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Chemical communication in cucujid grain beetles

Males of five sympatric species of economically damaging cucujid grain beetles,Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens),C. pusillus (Schönhen),C. turcicus (Grouvelle),Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), andO. surinamensis (L.), produce macrolide aggregation pheromones especially in the presence of food. Work leading to the isolation, identification, and establishment of biological activity of these semiochemicals is reviewed. The trivial name cucujolide is proposed and used to identify these compounds that are characteristic of the Cucujidae. The twoOryzaephilus share species share a common cucujolide pheromone, whileCryptolestes species use cucujolides that are either enantiomeric, unique to the genus, or released in trace quantities byOryzaephilus spp. and not used as pheromones by the latter species. The major mechanisms for species specificity in chemical communication are: (1) presence of a unique pheromone (C. ferrugineus andC. pusillus); (2) use of pheromones that are inactive alone but synergize response to cucujolides unique to a species (C. pusillus, C. turcicus, andO. surinamensis); (3) response to only one enantiomer of a pheromone (C. ferrugineus, O. surinamensis, andO. mercator); and (4) synergism between enantiomers of a pheromone (C. turcicus). The only species for which cross-attraction was evident wasO. mercator toO. surinamensis. Both sexes ofOryzaephilus spp. produce (R)-1-octen-3-ol, which highly synergizes response to the cucujolide pheromones. Similar synergism occurs between hexanal, octanal, and nonanal and the cucujolide pheromones ofOryzaephilus spp. The males of a sixth cucujid species,Cathartus quadricollis (Guér) produce a different aggregation pheromone, (3R,6E)-7-methyl-6-nonen-3-yl acetate. Trapping ofCryptolestes andOryzaephilus spp. in cardboard traps baited with pheromones is efficient in environments mimicking food-storage areas. Pheromone-baited plastic probe traps are the most efficient at capturing these species in infested grain.Coleoptera: Cucujidae.Presented at the 194th American Chemical Society National Meeting in the Symposium on Insect Chemical Communication: Unifying Concepts (Burdick & Jackson International Award in Pesticide Chemistry honoring Dr. James H. Tumlinson), New Orleans, Louisiana, August 30–September 4, 1987.Research supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Strategic Grant No. G1039 and Operating Grants Nos. A3881 and A3706.     

Attraction ofCarpophilus Spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to volatile compounds present in figs

Various volatile compounds present in ripening figs were attractive toCarpophilus hemipterus, C. mutilatus, C.freemani, andC. lugubris. Field tests demonstrated that traps baited with a mixture of acetaldehyde, ethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate caught more adultC. hemipterus than those baited with (1) other mixtures involving various combinations of 19 compounds, (2) with 16 single compounds, or (3) with fig paste.This investigation was supported in part by a grant from the California Dried Fig Advisory Board.     

Aggregation pheromone of Australian SAP beetle,Carpophilus davidsoni (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

A male-produced aggregation pheromone was identified for the Australian sap beetle,Carpophilus davidsoni Dobson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), by bioassay-guided fractionation of volatiles collected from feeding beetles. The most abundant components were: (2E,4E,6E)-5-ethyl-3-methyl-2,4,6-nonatriene, (3E,5E,7E)-6-ethyl-4-methyl-3,5,7-decatriene, (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene, and (2E,4E,6E,8E)-7-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene. The relative abundance of these components in collections from individual males feeding on artificial diet was 100:7:9:31, respectively. Pheromone production began within several days after males were placed onto diet medium and continued for at least 20 weeks. Peak production was >3 µg total pheromone per male per day. Males in groups of 50–60 emitted less pheromone (the peak level was 0.09 µg per beetle per day), and the emissions from groups contained relatively little tetraene (proportions of the components listed above were 100:7:2:7, respectively). Three additional trienes and one additional tetraene were identified in minor amounts; the entire eight-component male-specific blend is qualitatively identical and quantitatively similar to that of the North American sibling species,C. freemani Dobson. A synthetic blend of the four major components on rubber septa, prepared to emit in the same proportions as from individual males, was highly attractive in the field when synergized with fermenting whole-wheat bread dough. Cross-attraction was observed in the field involving the pheromones ofC. davidsoni, C. hemipterus (L.), andC. mutilatus Erichson. Potential uses of the pheromones in pest management are discussed.Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standards of the products, and the use of the names by USDA implies no approval of the products to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Male-produced aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus mutilatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Males ofCarpophilus mutilatus Erichson produce an aggregation pheromone to which both sexes respond. The pheromone includes two hydrocarbon components, (3E,5E,7E)-5-ethyl-7-methyl-3,5,7-undecatriene (1) and (3E,5E,7E)-6-ethyl-4-methyl-3,5,7-decatriene (2). These were emitted in a 101 ratio and in a total amount of ca. 5 ng per feeding male per day. All tested doses of1 and2, from 0.03 to 30 ng, were more attractive than controls in wind-tunnel tests, but there was no evidence of synergism between these trienes. Dramatic synergism between the pheromone and a food-type coattractant occurred in the field, however. In a date garden in southern California, traps with a combination of synthetic1 and fermenting whole-wheat bread dough attracted 22 times more beetles than dough by itself and 295 times more than1 by itself. Volatile collections from males also contained three oxygenated compounds that were absent from females. One of these was tetradecanal (ca. 5 ng per male per day), but the structures of the other two are presently undetermined (0.8 and 1.1 ng per male per day). No function for these was demonstrated. One compound originating in the artificial diet, 2-phenylethanol, was particularly attractive in the wind-tunnel bioassay, as was the chromatographic solvent, methanol.     

Influence of antifungal compounds from a soil-borne actinomycete onFusarium spp. in asparagus

Asparagus decline syndrome is caused by fungal infection of asparagus roots and crowns byFusarium oxysporum f.sp.asparagi (FOA) andF. moniliforme (FM). Several soil-borne microorganisms have been found inhibitory toFusarium pathogens in other crops. A novelStreptomyces spp. (ME2-27-19A) was isolated from asparagus field soil and found to be inhibitory to FOA and FM in vitro. Solvent extraction of ME2-27-19A and Chromatographic purification of the extract yielded compound(s) that were inhibitory to FOA and FM at 40g/ml. ME2-27-19A extract produced variable control of FOA and FM in vitro, and was phytotoxic at 1000 (g/ml. In soil, ME2-27-19A extract reduced theFusarium population at 100g/ml, but also reduced the asparagus shoot length.     

Aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus antiquus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and kairomonal use ofC. lugubris pheromone byC. antiquus

Males ofCarpophilus antiquus Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) emit an aggregation pheromone that was found to be a novel hydrocarbon, (3E,5E,7E,9E)-6,8-diethyl-4-methyl-3,5,7,9-dodecatetraene. A synthetic scheme and spectra (mass and proton NMR) are given for the compound. Beetles produced the pheromone when feeding on a variety of media, including the brewer's yeast-based artificial diet, fermenting whole-wheat bread dough, corn, and prunes; live baker's yeast was generally added to the food media. Males held individually produced, on average, 25 × more pheromone per beetle than males held in groups of 10 or more. Pheromone was not produced until males were at least 5 days old but was still detected from the oldest beetles tested (47 days). In field tests, the pheromone was attractive to both sexes ofC. antiquus, and it was synergized by food volatiles: A combination of pheromone and fermenting whole wheat dough attracted 2.5× more beetles than pheromone alone, but dough by itself was not significantly more attractive than the control. Semiochemical interactions were studied amongC. antiquus and two other sympatric species for which pheromones are known,C. lugubris Murray andC. freemani Dobson.C. antiquus responded readily to the pheromone ofC. lugubris, but all other interspecific responses to the pheromones were weak. In a sample of naturally infested corn ears, the presence ofC. antiquus was strongly associated with the presence ofC. lugubris, as would be expected if the pheromone ofC. lugubris serves as a kairomone forC. antiquus.     

Rhythms of maleAntheraea polyphemus Attraction and female attractiveness,and an improved pheromone sythesis

WildAntheraea polyphemus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera:Saturniidae) males were attracted to synthetic pheromone and to laboratory-reared females from 2300 (EDT) until dawn. Males were attracted to the synthetic pheromone at a mean time of 01:33 and to the females at 0323 (EDT). Synthetic traps accumulated the most males (61 compared to 19 in the female-baited traps), but there was no large difference in catch during the main interval of female attractiveness. Pheromone used in the study was prepared by an improved synthesis that utilizescis-4-nonen-1-yl bromide as a key intermediate.Lepidoptera:Saturniidae.     

Cross-Attraction of Carpophilus humeralis to Pheromone Components of Other Carpophilus Species

The pineapple beetle, Carpophilus humeralis, is known from field tests to be more attracted to baits containing the pheromone blends of other Carpophilus species and food odors than to food odors alone, but a pheromone is not yet known for C. humeralis. Wind-tunnel bioassays were used to determine specifically which of the Carpophilus pheromone components were the most attractive for C. humeralis. Nine tetraene and triene components normally used in field studies, plus eight additional male-specific compounds from other Carpophilus species, and one additional analog, were used in these experiments. At the 10-ng level, 15 of 18 compounds tested with a food-related coattractant (propyl acetate) were more attractive for C. humeralis than the coattractant alone. With decreasing doses (1, 0.1, and 0.01 ng) the number of attractive compounds declined. Only one compound, (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-decatetraene (1), had significant attraction for C. humeralis at 0.01 ng, close to the lower threshold level of pheromone attraction for other Carpophilus species. Responses to mixtures of compounds were explored. For example, 1 was synergistic with 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (E), 2,5-diisopropylpyrazine (D), and 2-phenylethanol (P), which are known attractants for C. humeralis; a mixture of 1 plus E, D, and P was 20 times more attractive than 1 alone and five times more than E, D, plus P. The specificity of C. humeralis for certain tetraenes was similar to that exhibited by C. hemipterus, while the specificity for trienes was similar to that of C. freemani. The behavior of C. humeralis to these pheromone components suggests that it may have a pheromone like that of other Carpophilus species or that it could possibly use these compounds as host finding kairomones.     

Male-produced aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus obsoletus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Males ofCarpophilus obsoletus Erichson produce an aggregation pheromone to which both sexes respond. The pheromone was identified by GC-MS as (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene (1), which is also a minor constituent of the pheromone blends ofC. hemipterus (L.),C. freemani Dobson, andC. lugubris Murray. The pheromone was synergized in wind-tunnel bioassays by propyl acetate, a host-type coattractant. In a dose-response study, 50 pg of1, plus propyl acetate, was significantly more attractive than just propyl acetate. Pheromone emission from groups of 65 males, feeding on artificial diet, averaged 2.2 ng/male/day. Emissions from individual males were larger, averaging 72 ng/day and ranging as high as 388 ng/day. Synthetic1 was tested in a date garden in southern California (500 µg/rubber septum), using fermenting whole-wheat bread dough as the coattractant. The pheromone plus dough attracted significantly more beetles than dough alone (means were 4.2 and 0.0 beetles per week per trap). Captured beetles were 54% females. Field trap catches were highest during the months of July and August.All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap. Mention of firm names or trade products does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over similar firms or products not mentioned.     

Chirality of macrolide pheromones of grain beetles in the generaOryzaephilusandCryptolestes and its implications for species specificity

The chiralities of macrolide lactone aggregation pheromones of five species of economically important grain beetles have been determined by capillary gas chromatographic separation of the diastereomeric (S)-O-acetyllactate derivatives of the hydroxy methyl esters derived from boron trifluoride-catalyzed cleavage of the macrolides in methanol. Chirally pure (Z)-3-dodecen-11-olide (I) is produced in theS configuration byCryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) and in theR configuration byOryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel). (Z,Z)-3,6-Dodecadien-11-olide (II) is produced in theR configuration by bothO. mercator andO. surinamensis (L.). (Z,Z)-5,8-Tetradecadien-13-olide (IV) is produced in theR configuration byO. surinamensis and as a 8515 mixture ofR andS isomers byC. turcicus. (Z)-5-Tetradecen-13-olide (V) is produced in the S configuration byC. pusillus (Schönherr) and as a 3367 mixture of theR andS isomers byC. turcicus (Grouvelle). The results indicate that in these cucujids, species specificity in pheromone response is maintained at least in part by pheromone chirality.Research supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Reseach Council of Canada, Operating Grants A3881, A0851 and A3785, and Strategic Grant G0958.     

Response of male codling moths (Cydia pomonella) to components of conspecific female sex pheromone glands in flight tunnel tests

In flight tunnel tests, the percentages of oriented upwind flights of male codling moths culminating in contacting a source of different compositions of female sex pheromone gland components were determined over a dosage range of 0.1–100,000g. The following compositions were tested: (1) (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol of 99.7% isomeric purity; (2) 1 + dodecanl-ol + tetradecan-1-ol; (3) 2 + decan-1-ol + (E)-9-dodecen-1-ol; and (4) an equilibrium mixture of 8,10-dodecadien-1-ol isomers (61%EE, 5%ZZ, 14%ZE, and 20%EZ). The ratios of the components in compositions 2 and 3 were chosen to produce vapor ratios equal to the natural ratios found in the female effluvium by Arn and coworkers. As the dose of composition 1 was increased from 0.1 to 10g, response increased from 0 to about 80% and then was approximately constant from 10 to 300g. Over the range 0.1–300g, the percentage of males contacting the septum was virtually the same as the percentage flying upwind. From 300 to 100,000g, the percentage of males flying upwind and contacting the source steadily decreased from about 80 to 0%. The male responses to compositions 2 and 3 were virtually identical to the response to 1. These results indicate, contrary to published reports, that dodecan-1-ol and tetradecan-1-ol in combination with 1 do not increase the responses of the behavioral modes determining degree of attractancy and disruption of sexual communication over that of 1 alone. These results also show that decan-1-ol and (E)-9-dodecen-1-ol do not enhance response in the five-component mixture. The response to composition 4 increased from 0% at a dose of 0.3g to 26% at a dose of 30g and then decreased to 0% at a dose of 3000g. Thus, the inhibiting effect of the isomers on response was greater at the higher doses.     

(E4,E10)-dodecadienyl acetate: Novel sex pheromone component of tentiform leafminer,Phyllonorycter mespilella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

(E4,E10)-dodecadienyl acetate (E4,E10-12OAc) is a newly discovered sex pheromone component of the tentiform leafminer,Phyllonorycter mespilella (Hübner). In apple orchards, traps baited with 1g ofE4,E1012OAc attractedP. mespilella in British Columbia andP. blancardella (F.) in Massachusetts and Nova Scotia. The compound was identified inP. mespilella by gas chromatographic-electroantennographic analysis (GC-EAD) of pheromone gland extracts, retention index calculations, EAD profiles toE3 toE10 dodecenyl acetates, and synthesis of candidate pheromone components. Even thoughE4,E10-12OAc was not detected in gland extracts by GC-mass spectroscopy, several factors indicate that it is female-produced. Antennal responses to gland extracts coincided with authenticE4,E10-12OAc on four GC columns with different retention characteristics.E4,E10-12OAc andE10-12OAc, a known female-produced pheromone component, elicited equally strong EAD responses. In field tests,E4,E10-12OAc was two to four times more attractive thanE10-12OAc. There was no additive or synergistic effect between the two components.     

Kairomonal Effects of Sawfly Sex Pheromones on Egg Parasitoids

The response of the two eulophid egg parasitoid species Chrysonotomyia ruforum and Dipriocampe diprioni to sex pheromones of their sawfly hosts Diprion pini and Neodiprion sertifer was studied in olfactometer bioassays. Females of C. ruforum were arrested when exposed to odor of the tested major sex pheromone components of Diprion pini [acetate and propionate of (2S,3R,7R)-3,7–dimethyl-2–tridecanol] or Neodiprion sertifer [(2S,3S,7S)-3,7–dimethyl-2–pentadecyl acetate]. This behavioral response of C. ruforum was observed whether (1) parasitoid females had oviposition experience with D. pini eggs or not, (2) parasitoid females emerged from D. pini eggs of a French population or from N. sertifer eggs of a Finnish population, and (3) the tested sex pheromone concentration was low (1 ng/l hexane) or high (100 ng/l hexane). However, C. ruforum did not behaviorally respond to a stereoisomer of the major sex pheromone component of N. sertifer, which is known to act as a sex pheromone antagonist [antagonist = (2S,3R,7R)-3,7–dimethyl-2–pentadecyl acetate]. Thus, C. ruforum responded stereospecifically to the S,S,S configured pheromone of N. sertifer, but not to the S,R,R configuration. Females of the parasitoid D. diprioni were also arrested by the tested major sex pheromone components of the host D. pini. The kairomonal effects of diprionid host sex pheromones on these egg parasitoids are compared to known responses of egg parasitoids to lepidopteran sex pheromones.     

Field attraction ofBiprorulus bibax Breddin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to synthetic aggregation pheromone and (E)-2-hexenal,a pentatomid defense chemical

A synthetic blend of the aggregation pheromone [(3R,4S,1E)-3,4-bis(1-butenyl)tetrahydro-2-furanol, linalool, farnesol, and nerolidol] of the spined citrus bug,Biprorulus bibax, and the pentatomid defense chemical, (E)-2-hexenal, both attracted adultB. bibax to individual trees in citrus orchards. Lemon trees containing single glass vials with aggregation pheromone or (E)-2-hexenal were colonized by significantly greater numbers of reproductiveB. bibax than unbaited trees. There was no significant difference between the treatments and bug recruitment was not improved by using both treatments.B. bibax did not enter cylinder/funnel traps baited with aggregation pheromone but colonized trees containing the traps. Orange or lemon trees containing aggregation pheromone on orchard perimeters recruited significantly larger populations of emigrating, nonreproductiveB. bibax during fall than untreated trees. Nonreproductive bugs were not attracted to trees containing (E)-2-hexenal. The potential for using these semiochemicals as management tools forB. bibax is discussed.     

Looplure efficacy and electrophysiological responses in three plusiinae species

Source concentration differences of (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol acetate, or looplure, were evaluated for field trapping efficiency and electrophysiological responses with malePseudoplusia includens (Walker),Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) andRachiplusia ou (Guenné) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Sticky traps baited with 1000 g of the lure captured a significantly greater (P < 0.05) number of maleP. includens andT. ni than any other concentration;R. ou males were caught at a greater rate in traps baited with 100 g of looplure, significantly more (P < 0.05) than with 1000 g. Electroantennogram (EAG) studies demonstrated that antennae of maleP. includens have a lower response threshold to looplure than eitherT. ni orR. ou antennae, the latter demonstrating the highest significant threshold of response. No differences in the stimulus-response functions of the three species were detected.Lepidoptera: Noctuidae.     

Sex pheromone of a conifer-feeding budworm,Choristoneura retiniana,Walsingham

Sex pheromone components collected from femaleChristoneura retiniana included 11-tetradecenyl acetates and alcohols. The major component wasE-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11–14Ac) with a lesser amount ofZ isomer necessary to induce male response. A 928 ratio ofE,Z11–14 Ac appeared optimal. The alcohol component was present at about 10% of the total pheromone mixture, and traps baited with acetates plus alcohol surpassed unmated females in their degree of attractiveness. Chemical analysis indicated a 9:1 ratio of theE — Z isomers of 11-tetradecenyl alcohol (11–14ol) pheromone components, although bait formulations containing a predominance of either theE orZ isomers were equally successful in field bioassays. Based on male response to traps,E- andZ11–14Ac (928E — Z) are essential pheromone components for long-range sex attraction. The 11–14 ol enhanced attraction when added at 10% of the total pheromone blend.This paper reports the results of research only. Mention of a commercial product does not constitute a recommendation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

Identification of a four-component sex pheromone of the female oriental fruit moth,Grapholitha molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The female-emitted pheromone ofGrapholitha molesta (Busck), the Oriental fruit moth, was collected by holding females in glass flasks during calling. Flask washes were found to contain four pheromone components: (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate and (E)-8-dodecenyl acetate in a 1007 ratio, and (Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol and dodecanol in a 10020 ratio. The ratio of (Z)-8-acetate to (Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol was approx. 10030. Approximately 0.1–0.2 ng of pheromone was recovered per female per hour of calling.Published as Journal Article No. 8598 of the Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Influence of pheromone chirality on response byOryzaephilus surinamensis andOryzaephilus mercator (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

The response of the sawtoothed grain beetle,Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), and the merchant grain beetle,O. mercator (Fauvel), to synthetic racemic and chiral macrolide aggregation pheromones was assessed in pitfall olfactometers.O.mercator utilizes theR enantiomers of (Z)-3-dodecen-11-olide and (Z,Z)-3,6-dodecadien-11-olide.O. surinamensis utilizes theR enantiomers of (Z,Z)-3,6-dodecadien-11-olide and the Synergist (Z,Z)-5,8-tetradecadien-13-olide in combination with achiral (Z,Z)-3,6-dodecadienolide. For both species, the racemates of the respective chiral pheromones were effective attractants. The respectiveS enantiomers were inactive for both species and had no effect on the biological activity of the active antipodes. No diel periodicity in responsiveness to pheromones was detected inOryzaephilus spp. reared either on a 1212 light-dark photoperiod or in darkness. Nonpheromone macrolides, naturally released in trace amounts byOryzaephilus spp., did not affect the aggregation response of either species to its pheromones when these additional macrolides were combined with the pheromone mixtures.Research supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Operating Grant A3881, A0851, and A3785, and Strategic Grant G0958.