Journal of Chemical Ecology (2005) 31, 657-670
Allard A. Coss, Robert J. Bartelt, Bruce W. Zilkowski, Daniel W. Bean and Richard J. Petroski (2005)
The aggregation pheromone of Diorhabda elongata, a biological control agent of saltcedar(Tamarix spp.): identification of two behaviorally active components
Journal of Chemical Ecology 31 (3), 657-670
Abstract: The leaf beetle Diorhabda elongata Brullé (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)has been introduced as a biological control agent for saltcedars, Tamarix spp., an exotic, invasive weedy tree in the western United State. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of volatiles collected from feeding male or female beetles, or saltcedar foliage alone, showed two components produced almost exclusively by males. These compounds elicited responses from antennae of male and female beetles in GC-electroantennographic detection (EAD) analyses. The compounds were identified as (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal (1) and (2E,4Z)-2,4- heptadien-1-ol (2) by GC-mass spectrometry (MS), and confirmed with authentic standards. The two compounds were also detected at trace levels from feeding females and foliage controls, but the amounts from feeding males were 8-40 times higher, typically 55-125 ng per day per male. The amounts of 1 and 2 in collections from females did not differ significantly from amounts collected from control foliage. In field trials, 2 as a single component was as attractive as a 1:1 blend of 1 and 2. Compound 1 as a single component was more attractive than controls, but much less attractive than 2 or the blend. Males and femaleswere attracted in about equal numbers, indicating that this is an aggregation pheromone.
(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): Bruce W. Zilkowski
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diorhabda elongata (weed bioagent) |
