Journal of Chemical Ecology (1997) 23, 553-568

Roderick J. Weston, Anthony D. Woolhouse, Eric B. Spurr, Richard J. Harris and D. Max Suckling (1997)
Spiroacetals and other venom constituents as potential wasp attractants
Journal of Chemical Ecology 23 (3), 553-568
Abstract: The major volatile spiroacetals from the venom of both the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris and the German wasp V. germanica, viz. 7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4,5]decane and 7-ethyl-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro-[4,5]decane, respectively, were synthesized by known methods. These acetals, along with N-isopentylacetamide (the major volatile amide from wasp venom), 2-heptanone (a honeybee pheromone), 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (a component of hornet venom), cuticle wax from V. vulgaris, and venom sacs from both wasp species were assayed by EAG and olfactory bioassay for attractancy to V. vulgaris workers. Antennal responses to all test chemicals were recorded. Acetal isomers (±)-2 and (±)-3, N-isopentylacetamide, and 2-heptanone were attractive to V. vulgaris workers at levels of <1 µmol. Greater quantities of the same compounds were repellent to V. vulgaris workers.
(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): David Maxwell Suckling

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Vespula germanica
	Vespula vulgaris