Phytoparasitica (2002) 30, p. 209 (Dunkelblum et al.)

E. Dunkelblum and Z. Mendel (2002)
Scale insect sex pheromones in Israel
Phytoparasitica 30 (2), 209-209
2nd Israel - Japan Workshop - Ecologically Sound New Plant Protection Technologies, Sept. 1 - 6, 2001, Tokyo, Japan
Abstract: Scale insects (Coccoidae) are important cosmopolitan pests of various crops. Pheromone-baited traps are useful for monitoring and may also contribute to their control. Three species were studied in Israel: the Israeli pine bast scale Matsucoccus josephi, the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri and the vine mealybug P. ficus. We identified and synthesized the racemic sex pheromone of M. josephi. Field tests confirmed the pheromonal activity to males and indicated strong kairomonal activity to the predator bug Elatophilus hebraicus. Pheromone traps were used to study the phenology of both insects. A series of analogs was prepared and tested. Results showed that either pheromonal or kairomonal activity can be induced by specific alteration in the structures. In addition, other Matsucoccus pheromones displayed kairomonal activity, attracting both predatory bugs and lacewings. The structure activity relationship of the P. citri pheromone has been studied and a convenient synthesis of the pheromone and analogs was developed. Field tests showed that some analogs display significant attractancy to males. However, no kairomonal activity was detected with the pheromone or with any of the analogs. The homolog analog may have practical importance because its synthesis is much more convenient than that of the pheromone. Pheromone traps were used to study the phenology of the insect in various parts of Israel. In an attempt to develop a monitoring system for P. ficus, independent research was conducted in California and Israel. The U.S. team identified an active pheromone component; we have identified an additional component. The attraction of P. ficus males to both components was demonstrated by bioassays in a petri dish arena as well as in flight assays in the mealybug rearing room. Indoors, both compounds displayed similar activity. However, trials in a vineyard indicated that the second compound was not active alone. Further tests are in progress in order to elucidate this phenomenon.
Database assignments for author(s): Zvi Mendel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Planococcus citri		Israel
	Matsucoccus josephi		Israel
	Planococcus ficus		Israel
Elatophilus hebraicus (predator)	Matsucoccus josephi		Israel