Identification of Host and Nonhost Semiochemicals of Eucalyptus Woodborer Phoracantha semipunctata by Gas Chromatography–Electroantennography

The host range of the eucalyptus woodborer, Phoracantha semipunctata, is restricted mainly to species of Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Volatile semiochemicals possibly involved in host selection and nonhost rejection were identified by high-resolution gas chromatography–electroantennography on samples obtained by air entrainment of foliage from host and nonhost trees. Compounds from the main host E. globulus, active at physiologically significant levels, included 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 3-methyl1-butanol, a branched epoxyalkane, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, (Z)-3-hexen1-ol, -pinene, -pinene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, and guaiene. E. camaldulensis gave a similar spectrum of volatiles that also included -terpinene and linalool. The volatiles from E. tereticornis were similar to E. globulus but without ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 1,8-cineole, or limonene. The nonhost Pinus pinaster (Pinaceae) yielded active compounds common to the host species, including ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, -pinene, -pinene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, and linalool but, in addition, myrcene, (E)--ocimene, and -cubebene as candidate nonhost cues. The nonhost Olea europeae (Oleaceae) also shared some active compounds in common with the host species, including 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 3-methyl-1-butanol, the branched epoxyalkane, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, -pinene, but an apparent nonhost cue from this species was the homomonoterpene (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7triene, plus other compounds so far unidentified.     

Dose and enantiospecific responses of white pine cone beetles,Conophthorus coniperda,to alpha-Pinene in an eastern white pine seed orchard

The white pine cone beetle, Conophthorus coniperda, exhibited dose and enantiospecific responses to -pinene in stands of mature eastern white pine, Pinus strobus, in a seed orchard near Murphy, North Carolina, USA. (–)--Pinene significantly increased catches of cone beetles to traps baited with (± )-trans-pityol. (+)--Pinene did not increase catches of beetles to pityol-baited traps and interrupted the response of beetles to traps baited with (±)-trans-pityol and (–)--pinene. Maximal attraction of cone beetles to pityol-baited traps was obtained with lures releasing (–)--pinene at a rate of 103 mg/day at 23^°C. Lures releasing (–)--pinene at rates lower or higher than 103 mg/day resulted in reduced catches to traps baited with (±)-trans-pityol. The sex ratio in all catches was heavily male biased. Attraction of the clerid predator, Thanasimus dubius, to traps baited with (±)-trans-pityol increased significantly with the presence of -pinene, irrespective of enantiomeric composition. Maximal attraction of T. dubius to pityol-baited traps occurred with devices releasing (–)--pinene at the highest rate tested, 579 mg/d at 23^°C, a sub optimal rate for cone beetles.     

Disruption by Conophthorin of the Kairomonal Response of Sawyer Beetles to Bark Beetle Pheromones

Antennally active nonhost angiosperm bark volatiles were tested for their ability to reduce the response of three common species of coniferophagous wood-boring Cerambycidae to attractant-baited multiple funnel traps in the southern interior of British Columbia. Of the nonhost volatiles tested, only conophthorin was behaviorally active, disrupting the attraction of sawyer beetles, Monochamus spp., to traps baited with the host volatiles -pinene and ethanol and the bark beetle pheromones ipsenol and ipsdienol. Conophthorin did not affect the attraction of sawyer beetles to the host kairomones -pinene and ethanol in the absence of bark beetle pheromones, nor did it have any behavioral effect on adults of Xylotrechus longitarsis, which were not attracted to bark beetle pheromones. These results indicate that conophthorin does not act as a general repellent for coniferophagous Cerambycidae, as it seems to do for many species of Scolytidae, but has the specific activity of disrupting the kairomonal response of sawyer beetles to bark beetle pheromones.     

Primary Attraction of the Fir Engraver, Scolytus ventralis

In laboratory bioassays, Porapak Q-captured and steam-distilled volatiles from the bark of host trees, Abies grandis, particularly from root-rot-infected trees, attracted 50–70% of male and female fir engravers, Scolytus ventralis. Gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses of Porapak Q-captured bark volatiles revealed 19 EAD-active compounds of which 13 (mostly monoterpenes) were identified by GC–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In separate field experiments, multiple-funnel traps baited with two blends of these 13 synthetic volatiles released at 280 and 340 mg/ 24 hr attracted 66 and 93% of the total S. ventralis captured, respectively. The clerid predator, Thanasimus undulatus, also responded strongly to the kairomonal volatiles. Additional experiments produced no evidence for aggregation pheromones in S. ventralis. These included laboratory bioassays and GC and GC-EAD analyses of Porapak Q-captured volatiles from male- and female-infested logs or trees undergoing mass attack in the field, GC analyses and/or bioassays of extracts from female accessory glands, extracted volatiles from emerged, attacking and juvenile hormone-treated beetles of both sexes, and videotape analysis of the behavior of attacking beetles on the bark surface. We argue against the hypothesis of pheromone-mediated secondary attraction in S. ventralis and conclude that the attack dynamics of this species can be explained solely by its sensitive primary attraction response to host volatiles.     

Electroantennographic and coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic responses of the mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata,to male-produced volatiles and mango odor

We have identified five compounds from the headspace of calling male Mediterranean fruit flies (medfly),Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and three compounds from the headspace of ripe mango (Mangifera indica L). using coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic (GC-EAG) recordings, coupled gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis, and electroantennographic (EAG) assays of standards. The male-produced volatiles eliciting responses from female antennae were ethyl-(E)-3-octenoate, geranyl acetate, (E,E)--farnesene, linalool, and indole. An EAG dose-response test of linalool enantiomers and indole with female medfly antennae showed relatively strong EAG activities, but no significant difference between (R)-(-)-linalool and (S)-(+)-linalool. The three mango volatiles were identified as (1S)-(-)--pinene, ethyl octanoate, and-caryophyllene. In addition, a strong antennal response was recorded from a contaminant,-copaene, present in a commercial sample of-caryophyllene. The EAG response amplitudes from both male and female antennae to the above three mango volatiles were significantly greater than to a hexanol control. For both male and female medfly antennae, the greatest EAG responses were elicited by-caryophyllene followed by ethyl octanoate. The mean EAG responses of female antennae to-caryophyllene and (1S)-(-)--pinene were significantly greater than those of male antennae.     

Monoterpene oviposition stimulants ofDioryctria amatella in volatiles from fusiform rust galls and second-year loblolly pine cones

Volatiles collected on Poropak Q from fusiform rust galls (Cronartium quercuum F. sp.fusiforme) of loblolly pine for 3 hr were better ovi-position stimulants forDioryctria amatella (Hulst) females than extracts of 8-hr collections. GLC analysis of these extracts showed no major differences in relative monoterpene composition, although 8-hr collections contained an unidentified compound not detected in the 3-hr collections. Comparison of volatiles from second-year loblolly pine cones with those from fusiform galls showed that both containeddl--pinene, (–)--pinene, myrcene, and (+)-limonene. Camphene was found in galls only, and relatively large quantities of -phellandrene were identified only from cones. The five major monoterpenes found in the two host substrates were tested in an oviposition bioassay. Eighteen trials using different combinations of these terpenes showed that the combination of -pinene, myrcene, and limonene was as attractive toD. amatella females as all other terpene combinations, including turpentine.Lepidoptera: Pyralidae.     

Host-Plant Chemicals and Distribution of Neuquenaphis on Nothofagus

Extractable metabolites from leaves (EM) and volatiles released from six Nothofagus species were analyzed by TLC and GC-MS, respectively. Aphids of the genus Neuquenaphis, closely associated to Nothofagus, were sampled on each Nathofagus species. Cluster analyses of Nothofagus species were performed based on the presence or absence of EM and volatiles. Dissimilarity distances, from the cluster analyses of EM and volatiles, were used to evaluate their association with the aphid distribution. A major component identified from EM and volatiles of three species of Nothofagus, -agarofuran, was attractive to alates of the oligophagous Neuquenaphis sensoriata, which use them as hosts. These results suggest that chemicals play a significant role in the host-plant associations between Neuquenaphis and Nothofagus.     

Chiral specificity in responses by the bark beetleDendroctonus valens to host kairomones

The attraction of the red turpentine beetle,Dendroctonus valens, to the resin volatiles of its host,Pinus ponderosa, is elicited by three chiral monoterpenes. In field assays response was greatest to (S)-(–)--pinene; 92% (S)-(–)--pinene found inP ponderosa resin was not attractive. However, 75% (R)-(+)--pinene, which occurs inPinus lambertiana, a sympatric host ofD. valens, was attractive. (S)-(–)--Pinene interrupted response to (R)-(+)--pinene. (S)-(+)-3-Carene from both hosts was attractive at the (R)-(+)--pinene level. Three sympatric coniferous nonhosts each have the same attractive monoterpenes but produce less resin. These studies demonstrate the importance of chirality of host compounds in the host finding behavior of this bark beetle.     

The Influence of Early Adult Experience and Larval Food Restriction on Responses Toward Nonhost Plants in Moths

Experience can induce oviposition on nonhost plants, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying such behavioral changes. In laboratory experiments, we examined the effects of early adult experience of nonhost volatiles and larval food restriction on the olfactory response and oviposition preference of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, a specialist herbivore of cruciferous plants. Naïve ovipositing females showed aversion to the odor of pea, a nonhost plant of P. xylostella, and seldom accepted pea plants for oviposition. However, females with prior experience with pea odor showed preference for the volatiles and significantly increased acceptance of pea plants for oviposition. Larval food restriction did not alter olfactory response and oviposition preference. We conclude that olfactory learning plays a significant role in inducing oviposition on nonhost plants and may contribute to host range expansion in phytophagous insects.     

Induction and Systemic Release of Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles Mediating In-Flight Orientation of Aphidius ervi

In-flight orientation of the braconid Aphidius ervi in response to volatiles released from broad bean plants infested by the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, was studied in a no-choice wind-tunnel bioassay. The role of aphid infestation level and duration, systemic production of volatiles by insect-free parts of the plant, and the specificity of aphid-induced volatiles on the flight behavior of the foraging female parasitoids were investigated. The upper insect-free part of a three-leaved broad bean plant, which was basally infested by a population of 40 A. pisum, released synomones detectable by A. ervi females after at least 48–72 hr of infestation, resulting in both significant increases in oriented flights and landings on the source compared with uninfested control plants. This suggests that volatiles involved in host-location by A. ervi are systemically released by broad bean plants either in response to circulation of aphid saliva, circulation of saliva-induced bioactive elicitors, or circulation of the synomones themselves. Air entrainment extracts of volatiles collected from a broad bean plant infested by the nonhost Aphis fabae or an uninfested broad bean plant elicited few oriented flights and landing responses by female parasitoids. These extracts were significantly less attractive than extracts collected from a broad bean plant infested by the host A. pisum, indicating the specificity of synomones elicited by different aphid species on the same plant species.     

Volatile Production by Buds and Corollas of Two Sympatric, Confamilial Plants, Ipomopsis aggregata and Polemonium foliosissimum

We used solid-phase microextraction of headspace samples followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the major volatile compounds produced by the buds and corollas of Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae), and we compared them to a sympatric, confamilial plant species, Polemonium foliosissimum. The two species have distinct floral morphologies and pollinators, but share a common predispersal seed predator that oviposits under the calyces of buds. Ipomopsis aggregata buds emitted fewer compounds than the corollas. The buds of I. aggregata were dominated by -pinene and, to a lesser extent, -pinene. The corollas of I. aggregata emitted a mixture of 10 compounds. Like the buds, I. aggregata corollas produced relatively high concentrations of -pinene as well as caryophyllene. In addition, the emission of four terpenoids, three esters, and one ketone added to the volatile bouquet of the corollas. Polemonium foliosissimum buds also emitted fewer compounds than the corollas. The buds of P. foliosissimum were dominated by -pinene and, to a lesser extent, -pinene. The corollas of P. foliosissimum were also dominated by -pinene along with three terpenoids, three alcohols, one ester, and two aldehydes. Comparing I. aggregata and P. foliosissimum, bud samples from both species produced considerable amounts of - and -pinene. Ipomopsis aggregata emitted more -pinene than -pinene, while P. foliosissimum emitted more -pinene. The corollas of the two species, however, differed in their volatile bouquet. The partition of volatiles between I. aggregata and P. foliosissimum buds and corollas and differences in volatile production between I. aggregata and P. foliosissimum are consistent with selection pressures exerted by organisms interacting with these plants.     

Effects of biotic and abiotic stress on induced accumulation of terpenes and phenolics in red pines inoculated with bark beetle-vectored fungus

This study characterized the chemical response of healthy red pine to artificial inoculation with the bark beetle-vectored fungusLeptographium terebrantis. In addition, we sought to determine whether stress altered this induced response and to understand the implications of these interactions to the study of decline diseases. Twenty-five-year-old trees responded to mechanical wounding or inoculation withL. terebrantis by producing resinous reaction lesions in the phloem. Aseptically wounded and wound-inoculated phloem contained higher concentrations of phenolics than did constitutive tissue. Trees inoculated withL. terebrantis also contained higher concentrations of six monoterpenes,-pinene,-pinene, 3-carene, limonene, camphene, and myrcene, and higher total monoterpenes than did trees that were mechanically wounded or left unwounded. Concentrations of these monoterpenes increased with time after inoculation. Total phenolic concentrations in unwounded stem tissue did not differ between healthy and root-diseased trees. Likewise, constitutive monoterpene concentrations in stem phloem were similar between healthy and root-diseased trees. However, when stem phloem tissue was challenged with fungal inoculations, reaction tissue from root-diseased trees contained lower concentrations of-pinene, the predominant monoterpene in red pine, than did reaction tissue from healthy trees. Seedlings stressed by exposure to low light levels exhibited less extensive induced chemical changes when challenge inoculated withL. terebrantis than did seedlings growing under higher light. Stem phloem tissue in these seedlings contained lower concentrations of-pinene than did nonstressed seedlings also challenge inoculated withL. terebrantis. It is hypothesized that monoterpenes and phenolics play a role in the defensive response of red pine against insect-fungal attack, that stress may predispose red pine to attack by insect-fungal complexes, and that such interactions are involved in red pine decline disease. Implications to plant defense theory and interactions among multiple stress agents in forest decline are discussed.To whom correspondence should be addressed at USDA Forest Service, 2500 Shreveport Hwy., Pineville, Louisiana 71360.     

Response on the ground of bark beetle and weevil species colonizing conifer stumps and roots to terpenes and ethanol

Responses of threeHylastes species,Dryocoetes autographus, and twoHylobius species to terpenes and ethanol were studied in field experiments on clear-cut forest sites in Sweden using baited ground traps.-Pinene alone did not attract any of the six species. A terpene blend (spruce turpentine consisting mainly of-pinene,-pinene, and 3-carene) attractedHylastes cunicularius, H. brunneus, andHylobius abietis in some experiments, but not in others. The attractiveness of ethanol also varied; the only species consistently attracted wasH. abietis. Baits containing both terpenes and ethanol, particularly the combination of spruce turpentine and ethanol, were attractive to all species exceptHylobius pinastri. InH. abietis, the terpene plus ethanol/ ethanol catch ratios increased during early summer. Seasonal differences in catch levels were observed inH. cunicularius andH. abietis. The addition of-pinene reduced the attractiveness of the combination of spruce turpentine and ethanol toH. cunicularius, H. opacus, andD. autographus. The differences in response to the volatiles between species are probably related to differences in reproductive behavior and host preferences.     

Communication ecology of webbing clothes moth: 2. Identification of semiochemicals mediating attraction of adults to larval habitat

Our objective was to identify the semiochemicals that mediate attraction of the webbing clothes moth (WCM), Tineola bisselliella (Lepidoptera: Tineidae), to suitable larval habitat. Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses of Porapak Q-captured bioactive volatiles from horseshoe crab, and dried but untanned vertebrate pelts revealed numerous EAD-active volatiles. These volatiles were identified by comparative GC-mass spectrometry and GC-EAD analyses of natural and synthetic compounds. A blend of 28 synthetic candidate semiochemicals attracted both male and female WCM. Experiments deleting various components determined that saturated aldehydes—but not unsaturated aldehydes, saturated hydrocarbons, saturated alcohols, or ketones—were essential for blend attractiveness. A blend of nonanal, the single most attractive aldehyde, in combination with geranylacetone was more attractive to WCM than the 28-component blend or dried, untanned animal pelt. Selection of larval habitat resides more with male than female WCM, as indicated by stronger EAD responses from male than female antennae to habitat-derived semiochemicals, and more selective and early response to habitat cues by males than females. Exploitation of nonanal and geranylacetone as resource-derived semiochemicals by both adult WCM and its larval parasitoid, Apanteles carpatus, is an example of convergent semiochemical parsimony.     

Male-Released Sex Pheromone of the Stink Bug Piezodorus hybneri

Male-released semiochemicals of the stink bug Piezodorus hybneri (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) elicit attraction of male and female bugs and homosexual behavior in males. Three active components were isolated from the airborne volatiles of males by flash chromatography, with the activity monitored by GC-EAD and behavioral bioassay. The pheromone system was characterized as a mixture of -sesquiphellandrene, (R)-15-hexadecanolide, and methyl 8-(Z)-hexadecenoate (ratio: 10:4:1), and the activity of the semiochemicals was assessed with authentic samples. Enantiomerically pure samples of the R and S macrolactones were obtained by Yamaguchi's and Mitsunobu's macrolactonization of a key intermediate, (R)-15-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid. The nonnatural S stereoisomer was neither a beneficial nor a behavioral antagonist. Individual constituents or binary mixtures were active, but the optimal male response was elicited only by the full mixture. Behavioral observation and the fact that the onset of pheromone production is coincident with ovarian development strongly suggest that these semiochemicals are, in fact, sex pheromones.     

Response of the clerid predatorThanasimus dubius (F.) to bark beetle pheromones and tree volatiles in a wind tunnel

Tree volatiles and pheromones produced by southern bark beetles were bioassayed for response by the clerid predatorThanasimus dubius (F.). Upwind flights in a laboratory olfactometer, modified from Visser (1976), were used to determine the attractiveness of compounds. Differences in response to a solvent control and pheromone treatment were tested for statistical significance using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Both sexes ofT. dubius responded to frontalin, ipsdienol, and -pinene in a dose-dependent manner with different but overlapping concentration ranges. Strong differences between the sexes were observed in response totrans-verbenol, verbenone, andl--pinene. Neither sex responded to ipsenol orendo-brevicomin.Miss. Agric. and For. Exp. Sta. Publication No. 5251.     

Olfactory responses of Ips duplicatus from inner Mongolia, China to nonhost leaf and bark volatiles

Leaf and bark volatiles from nonhost angiosperm trees were tested on Ips duplicatus by gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and by pheromone-baited traps in Sweden and Inner Mongolia, China, respectively. GC-EAD analysis of the headspace volatiles from fresh bark chips of Betula pubescens revealed trans-conophthorin, two green leaf volatiles (GLVs): 1-hexanol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, and two C₈ alcohols: 3-octanol and 1-octen-3-ol, that consistently elicited antennal responses by I. duplicatus. The identification of these EAD-active compounds was confirmed in further GC-EAD recordings with synthetic mixtures. Antennal responses were also found to synthetic (E)-2-hexen-1-ol and linalool, which have been identifed from the leaves of nonhost birch and aspen species. No antennal responses of I. duplicatus were found to hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and (Z)-3-hexyl acetates. In field trapping experiments, blends of EAD-active green leaf alcohols or C₈ alcohols, or trans-conophthorin alone resulted in significant reductions (27–60%) in the number of I. duplicatus captured compared with pheromone-baited traps. The unsuitable host compound, verbenone (Vn), also significantly reduced trap catches by up to 60% in both experiments. The strongest disruptive effect resulted from the addition of the combination of green leaf alcohols, C₈ alcohols, and verbenone to the pheromone trap, which caused an 84% reduction in trap catch. The blend of two green leaf aldehydes plus the acetate increased the trap catches in 1998 and had no negative or positive effects in 1999. Our results suggest that these nonhost volatiles (NHVs) are important olfactory signals used by I. duplicatus in host selection. They may have great significance in developing semiochemical-based management programs for I. duplicatus by reducing or stopping attacks on suitable hosts.     

Allelopathic Effects of Volatile Monoterpenoids Produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia leucophylla</Emphasis>: Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and DNA Synthesis in the Root Apical Meristem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica campestris</Emphasis> Seedlings

Salvia leucophylla, a shrub observed in coastal south California, produces several volatile monoterpenoids (camphor, 1,8-cineole, -pinene, -pinene, and camphene) that potentially act as allelochemicals. The effects of these were examined using Brassica campestris as the test plant. Camphor, 1,8-cineole, and -pinene inhibited germination of B. campestris seeds at high concentrations, whereas -pinene and camphene did not. Root growth was inhibited by all five monoterpenoids in a dose-dependent manner, but hypocotyl growth was largely unaffected. The monoterpenoids did not alter the sizes of matured cells in either hypocotyls or roots, indicating that cell expansion is relatively insensitive to these compounds. They did not decrease the mitotic index in the shoot apical region, but specifically lowered mitotic index in the root apical meristem. Moreover, morphological and biochemical analyses on the incorporation of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine into DNA demonstrated that the monoterpenoids inhibit both cell-nuclear and organelle DNA synthesis in the root apical meristem. These results suggest that the monoterpenoids produced by S. leucophylla could interfere with the growth of other plants in its vicinity through inhibition of cell proliferation in the root apical meristem.     

Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, Antennal and Behavioral Responses to Nonhost Leaf and Bark Volatiles

A growing body of evidence suggests that bark beetles detect and avoid release points of volatile compounds associated with nonhost species, and thus such nonhost volatiles may have potential utility in the management of bark beetles. We used a coupled gas chromatograph-electroantennographic detector (GC-EAD) to assay the olfactory sensitivity of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, to volatiles from leaves and bark of eight species of nonhost angiosperm trees that are common in the range of D. frontalis. Tree species sampled were red maple (Acer rubrum L.), mockernut hickory [Carya alba (L.) Nutt. ex Ell.], sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), southern red oak (Quercus falcata Michx.), blackjack oak [Quercus marilandica (L.) Muenchh.], and water oak (Quercus nigra L.). Beetle antennae responded to a total of 28 identifiable compounds in these samples. The relative olfactory responsiveness to 14 of these, as well as to nonanoic acid and four additional volatiles reported to be associated with nonhost angiosperms, was assessed in GC-EAD analyses of synthetic dilutions spanning six orders of magnitude. The largest response voltage amplitudes were obtained with trans-conophthorin, nonanoic acid, terpinen-4-ol, phenylethyl alcohol, and eucalyptol, whereas the lowest response thresholds were to nonanoic acid, nonanal, linalool, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, and phenylethyl alcohol. Funnel traps baited with various combinations of eleven antennally-active angiosperm volatiles along with a standard attractant captured significantly fewer male and female D. frontalis than traps baited with the standard attractant alone. Our data suggest that a diversity of semiochemicals may be involved in host species discrimination by D. frontalis, and several may have utility in their management.     

Electroantennographic and behavioral responses of the sphinx moth Manduca sexta to host plant headspace volatiles

Coupled gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) using antennae of adult female Manduca sexta was employed to screen for olfactory stimulants present in headspace collections from four species of larval host plants belonging to two families: Solanaceae—Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Capiscum annuum (bell pepper), and Datura wrightii; and Martyniaceae—Proboscidea parviflora. Headspace volatiles were collected from undamaged foliage of potted, living plants. GC–EAD revealed 23 EAD-active compounds, of which 15 were identified by GC-mass spectrometry. Identified compounds included aliphatic, aromatic, and terpenoid compounds bearing a range of functional groups. Nine EAD-active compounds were common to all four host plant species: (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, nonanal, decanal, phenylacetaldehyde, methyl salicylate, benzyl alcohol, geranyl acetone, (E)-nerolidol, and one unidentified compound. Behavioral responses of female moths to an eight-component synthetic blend of selected tomato headspace volatiles were tested in a laboratory wind tunnel. Females were attracted to the blend. A comparison of responses from antennae of males and females to bell pepper headspace volatiles revealed that males responded to the same suite of volatiles as females, except for (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate. EAD responses of males also were lower for (Z)- and (E)-nerolidol and one unidentified compound. Electroantennogram EAG dose–response curves for the 15 identified EAD-active volatiles were recorded. At the higher test doses (10–100 g), female antennae yielded larger EAG responses to terpenoids and to aliphatic and aromatic esters. Male antennae did respond to the higher doses of (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate, indicating that they can detect this compound. On the basis of ubiquity of the EAD-active volatiles identified to date in host plant headspace collections, we suggest that M. sexta uses a suite of volatiles to locate and identify appropriate host plants.