Journal of Chemical Ecology (2000) 26, 203-220

H.T. Alborn, T.H. Jones, G.S. Stenhagen and J.H. Tumlinson (2000)
Identification and synthesis of volicitin and related components from beet armyworm oral secretions
Journal of Chemical Ecology 26 (1), 203-220
Abstract: Oral secretion of beet armyworm caterpillars (BAW), when applied to damaged tissues of corn seedlings, induces the seedlings to emit volatile compounds that attract the natural enemies of the caterpillars. The key elicitor present in BAW oral secretions is N-[17-hydroxylinolenoyl]-L-glutamine (volicitin). Analysis of the oral secretion showed that it also contained N-[17-hydroxyolinoleoyl]-L-glutamine, free 17-hydroxylinolenic, and 17-hydroxylinoleic acid, the glutamine conjugates of linolenic and linoleic acid as well as free linolenic and linoleic acid. Here we present the identification and synthesis of the hydroxy acids and of glutamine conjugates.
(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): James H. Tumlinson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spodoptera exigua	Maize/corn (Zea mays)