Environmental Entomology (2005) 34, 264-270

Aijun Zhang and Divina Amalin (2005)
Sex pheromone of the female pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae): Biological activity evaluation
Environmental Entomology 34 (2), 264-270
Abstract: The synthetic sex pheromone of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), was evaluated in the field bioassays. In a period of 27 wk, >90,000 males were captured on sticky traps in the three locations in Key Biscayne, FL. Our experimental results showed that a laboratory-prepared (R)-lavandulyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate and (R)-maconelliyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate blend in a ratio of 1:5 on a rubber septum was attractive to males at concentration as low as 0.1 µg per trap. Male M. hirsutus captures were not significantly different from traps baited with 1- or 10-µg doses, but 0.1- and 100-µg doses captured significantly fewer males. Some of the unnatural stereoisomers of the pheromone antagonized attraction. The alcohols, which could be detected in virgin female's volatiles, also exhibited a repulsive effect. Rubber septum lures baited with 1- and 10-µg doses of the synthetic pheromone remained active for at least 21 wk under field conditions. Monitoring of adult flight activity with a 1-µg dose of synthetic pheromone indicated there were multiple generations during the tested period of 8 July 2003 to 12 January 2004.
(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): Aijun Zhang, Divina M. Amalin

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Maconellicoccus hirsutus		Bahamas
	Maconellicoccus hirsutus		U.S.A. (Hawaii)
	Maconellicoccus hirsutus		U.S.A. (SE)