Journal of Chemical Ecology (1995) 21, 169-185

Harold D. Pierce Jr., Peter de Groot, John H. Borden, S. Ramaswamy and A.C. Oehlschlager (1995)
Pheromones in red pine cone beetle, Conophthorus resinosae Hopkins, and its synonym, C. banksianae McPherson (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)
Journal of Chemical Ecology 21 (2), 169-185
Abstract: Analyses of abdominal extracts and beetle-produced volatiles revealed that female Conophthorus resinosae and C. banksianae produced optically pure (E)-(+)-pityol [(2R,5S)-(+)-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-5-methyltetrahydrofuran]. In field tests, traps baited with (E)-(±)- or (E)-(+)-pityol captured only males. Addition of host oils to traps baited with pityol did not significantly enhance the capture of males. Males of these former sibling species produced the spiroacetal (5S,7S)-(-)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane with high optical purity (96%). Addition of the racemate or the optical isomers of the spiroacetal to traps baited with (E)-(±)-pityol almost completely inhibited the capture of males. It is hypothesized that to ensure their reproductive success, males produce the spiroacetal to repel rival males. Species specificity in pityol and the spiroacetal was not found between C. resinosae and C. banksianae, thus supporting their synonymy.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): John H. Borden, Peter de Groot

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Conophthorus resinosae