Journal of Economic Entomology (2015) 108, 2107-2116

M.J. Hassemer, J. Sant'Ana, M.W.M. de Oliveira, M. Borges, R.A. Laumann, M. Caumo and M.C. Blassioli-Moraes (2015)
Chemical composition of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) abdominal glands and the influence of 1,4-benzoquinones on its behavior
Journal of Economic Entomology 108 (4), 2107-2116
Abstract: This study aimed to identify and quantify the compounds present in the abdominal glands of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and to evaluate the influence of these compounds on its behavior. The extraction of volatiles present in the abdominal glands was made by dissection (10 individuals per sex) and by air entrainment (200 insects per sex), and they were analyzed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detector, gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer, and gas chromatograph–electroantennography detector (GC-EAD). The influence of these volatiles on the behavior of conspecifics was evaluated in a four-arm olfactometer. Twenty-three compounds were identified from male and female abdominal gland extracts, of which six were quinones: the 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and the 2-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone were the major components, and 1,4 benzoquinone and three hydroquinones were registered for the first time for this species. The GC-EAD analysis using the crude extracts from abdominal glands showed that male and female antennae responded to the three major benzoquinones. For the olfactometer bioassays, both genders were repelled either by the abdominal gland extracts or by synthetic solutions containing the three benzoquinones. The results suggest that the 1,4-benzoquinones play a role as a repellent to A. diaperinus.
(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): Maria Carolina Blassioli-Moraes, Raúl Alberto Laumann, Miguel Borges

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Alphitobius diaperinus