稻飞虱卵期寄生蜂稻虱缨小蜂引诱剂的筛选与田间试验(英文)

植食性昆虫的天敌能够利用虫害诱导的挥发物进行有效的寄主或猎物定位。为了开发稻飞虱卵期天敌稻虱缨小蜂Anagrus nilaparvatae Pang et Wang的引诱剂,分别在室内和室外检测了多种褐飞虱诱导的水稻挥发物组分对褐飞虱卵期天敌稻虱缨小蜂的引诱作用。Y型嗅觉仪实验结果表明,5种单一化合物,Z-3-己烯乙酸酯,1-戊烯基-3-醇,Z-3-己烯醛,芳樟醇和水杨酸甲酯,以及3种混合物,水杨酸甲酯+Z-3-己烯醛,Z-3-己烯醛+Z-3-己烯乙酸酯+芳樟醇,水杨酸甲酯+Z-3-己烯醛+Z-3-己烯乙酸酯+芳樟醇,对稻虱缨小蜂具有明显引诱作用。田间试验表明,3种单一化合物,Z-3-己烯乙酸酯,Z-3-己烯醛和芳樟醇,以及一种混合物,水杨酸甲酯+Z-3-己烯醛+Z-3-己烯乙酸酯+芳樟醇,能明显提高稻虱缨小蜂对褐飞虱卵的寄生作用。这些结果对于改善褐飞虱治理具有重要的意义。     

华北大黑鳃金龟引诱剂配方筛选及引诱效果评价

【目的】筛选可有效引诱华北大黑鳃金龟Holotrichia oblita成虫的引诱剂配方用于生态防控。【方法】选取5种植物挥发物、2种华北大黑鳃金龟聚集信息素和1种性信息素,根据各化合物单体最佳引诱浓度进行两两混配,得到植物挥发物+聚集信息素、植物挥发物+性信息素和聚集信息素+性信息素共17种二元引诱剂配方。通过触角电位(EAG)反应和趋性行为反应逐步筛选出引诱效果较好的配方。将所筛选配方与其单一组分通过趋性行为反应进行引诱效果比较,并通过室内笼罩诱捕检验配方对华北大黑鳃金龟成虫的引诱效果。【结果】通过EAG反应及趋性行为反应从17种二元引诱剂配方中逐步筛选出了对华北大黑鳃金龟成虫具有较强引诱作用的3种配方,即顺-3-己烯基乙酸酯+顺-9-十八烯乙酸酯,1-己醇+顺-9-十八烯乙酸酯和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯+甘氨酸甲酯,它们引起的华北大黑鳃金龟雌虫EAG反应相对值分别为5 981%, 5 796%和5 722%,引起的雄虫EAG反应相对值分别为3 983%, 4 712%和3 809%。趋性行为反应试验中,引起华北大黑鳃金龟成虫选择反应率最高的为配方邻苯二甲酸二丁酯+甘氨酸甲酯,成虫选择反应...     

小菜蛾对合成植物挥发物的活性反应

在室内检验了小菜蛾已交配和未交配雌、雄成虫对3种合成植物挥发物乙酸顺-3-己烯酯（Z-3-hexenyl acetate,ACTE）、异硫氰酸丙烯酯（allyl isothiocyanate,NCS）和顺-3-己烯醇（Z-3-hexen-1-ol,OH）的触角电位(EAG)反应。不同浓度（0.008 μg/μL、0.08 μg/μL、0.2 μg/μL、0.8 μg/μL、8 μg/μL、20 μg/μL和40 μg/μL）实验表明,随着刺激化合物浓度的提高,小菜蛾反应活性增强。但小菜蛾的性别及其交配状态可能影响其对3种化合物的反应强度：不同性别及交配状态的小菜蛾对ACTE的反应差异不大;未交配雌、雄虫对OH的反应强于已交配雌、雄虫;未交配雌虫对低浓度的NCS反应较强,NCS超过一定浓度时已交配雌虫的反应强于未交配雌虫,雄虫对NCS反应较小且与交配状态无关。以小菜蛾性信息素作为对照,在湖北长阳和越南河内试验了这3种植物挥发物诱芯（6 μL/诱芯）对小菜蛾的引诱作用。结果表明,在湖北,第1天时 ACTE、NCS对雄虫具有很强的引诱作用,引诱量显著大于性诱剂的引诱量,但随着诱芯放置时间延长,NCS引诱作用迅速下降,第2天时引诱作用已经很小;ACTE的引诱作用下降缓慢,第4天的诱蛾量才显著小于性信息素的诱蛾量,OH的引诱力较弱。在河内,ACTE、NCS、OH第1天对小菜蛾引诱作用很强,引诱量大于性信息素,但差异不显著;随着诱芯放置时间延长,3种挥发物对小菜蛾的引诱量均下降很快,第4天的引诱力就很弱。3种植物挥发物的混合物(体积比1∶1∶1)对小菜蛾的引诱作用与性信息素相似,且诱蛾活性持效期相对较长。无论在越南或湖北,植物挥发物或其混合物均很少引诱到雌虫。     

华北大黑鳃金龟对桃树挥发物的电生理反应

【目的】华北大黑鳃金龟Holotrichia oblita是一种分布范围广,寄主种类多的农业害虫。本研究鉴定了桃树顶空挥发物中对华北大黑鳃金龟雌虫具有触角电生理活性的化合物,并探索桃树挥发物活性成分的剂量对华北大黑鳃金龟雌、雄虫触角电生理反应的影响。【方法】采用顶空吸附法收集桃树枝叶挥发物,用气相色谱 触角电位联用技术(GC-EAD)和气相色谱 质谱联用技术(GC-MS)鉴定有电生理活性的桃树挥发物成分,最后用触角电位(electroantennograph, EAG)技术测试这些挥发物在0.01,0.1, 1, 10和100 μg剂量下引起的华北大黑鳃金龟雌、雄成虫EAG反应。【结果】桃树挥发物中能引起华北大黑鳃金龟雌成虫触角电生理反应的成分有7种,包括Z-β-罗勒烯、顺-3-己烯乙酸酯、顺-3-己烯醇、壬醛、水杨酸甲酯以及2种未知化合物。所测试的对华北大黑鳃金龟雌成虫触角具有电生理活性的5种桃树挥发物成分在各剂量下都能引起雌、雄成虫明显的EAG反应。雌、雄虫对同种物质的EAG反应随着剂量的增加而有增大的趋势,并且雌虫的EAG反应显著高于雄虫。【结论】桃树挥发物中,罗勒烯、顺-3-己烯乙酸酯、顺-3-己烯醇、壬醛、水杨酸甲酯均能引起华北大黑鳃金龟雌、雄成虫的剂量依赖性的触角电生理反应,而且存在显著的性别差异。可利用这些化合物开展行为反应和田间诱集试验,进一步验证其对华北大黑鳃金龟的引诱活性。     

草地螟对寄主植物的选择性及其化学生态机制

田间自然条件下,草地螟成虫产卵对不同植物具有明显的选择性,其中灰菜上落卵量最多,占调查总卵量的50%以上;甜菜、大豆上次之,玉米和马铃薯上最少。在室内条件下,草地螟成虫产卵对灰菜、大豆、玉米和马铃薯的选择性与田间调查结果完全吻合。而且,草地螟幼虫的嗜食性与成虫产卵对寄主的选择性是一致的。吸附、收集上述植物的挥发物后进行GC-MS测定,并利用风洞进行了生测。其中灰菜和大豆的主要挥发物成分为反-2-己烯醛、青叶醇、青叶酯、1-十八烯等;玉米和马铃薯的挥发物性成分包括青叶酯、芳樟醇、香叶醇、紫罗酮、1-十八烯。生测结果表明,灰菜的挥发物对草地螟雌蛾引诱力最大,选择系数为78%;大豆苗挥发物对其也有较高的诱虫活性;但玉米和马铃薯几乎无引诱作用。自然生长的4种植物的诱虫结果与其挥发物的诱虫结果相似。这些生测结果与成虫和幼虫选择寄主的一致性反映了草地螟选择寄主行为的化学机制。     

寄主植物挥发物对梨小食心虫受孕雌虫的引诱作用初探

梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta(Busck),是一种世界性的蛀果害虫。利用产卵选择试验研究了15种寄主植物挥发物对梨小食心虫受孕雌虫的产卵引诱活性。室内试验表明:受孕雌虫对不同挥发物的产卵选择趋性不同,其中对叶醇和己酸丁酯表现出明显的产卵选择趋性。为验证寄主挥发物对受孕雌虫的实际诱捕效果,进行了田间诱捕试验。结果发现,挥发物中己酸丁酯、苯甲腈、叶醇、E-2-己烯醛以及乙酸己酯诱捕到的雌虫均为受孕雌虫,显著高于空白对照及其他物质,其中己酸丁酯的平均诱捕量最多,苯甲腈次之,E-2-己烯醛、乙酸己酯这两种物质的平均诱捕量分别为第三、第四,叶醇的诱捕量低于乙酸己酯,其余物质的诱捕量均较低。综合室内及田间试验结果发现,寄主植物挥发物对受孕雌虫的引诱作用也随它们之间的作用距离表现出一定的差异性。     

多种物质对柑桔大实蝇的电生理活性及田间引诱效果评价

柑桔大实蝇Bactrocera minax (Enderlein)是柑桔类果树的重要害虫,诱杀成虫是防治该虫的一项重要措施。本文应用触角电位仪测定了10种物质不同浓度、7种常见配方及5种改进配方对柑桔大实蝇的电生理原理,2010和2011年在四川和重庆的5个柑桔园对9种配方的田间诱集效果进行评价。结果表明,柑桔大实蝇雌雄成虫对水解蛋白和乙酸的EAG值显著高于红糖、乙醇、甜橙汁、甜橙精油、乙酸乙酯、桔皮粉、柠檬酸和蜂蜜。雌、雄成虫的EAG值随着水解蛋白、乙酸浓度的增高而增大;雌虫的EAG值随乙醇浓度的增高而增大;而其余7种物质的浓度变化对雌雄成虫的EAG值影响较小。配方中,20%水解蛋白的EAG值和田间引诱效果均显著高于其它引诱物质和配方。改进型糖醋酒液分别添加5%水解蛋白和0.2%乙酸乙酯其诱集效果明显提高。本试验结果可为柑桔大实蝇引诱剂配方筛选和田间诱杀提供科学依据。     

牧草盲蝽对七种寄主植物不同挥发物的EAG和行为反应

【目的】研究牧草盲蝽Lygus pmtensis对寄主植物挥发物的EAG及趋向行为反应,为研发牧草盲蝽引诱剂或趋避剂策略提供科学依据。【方法】利用固相微萃取方法收集7种寄主植物包括木地肤Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad.、灰绿藜Chenopodium glaucum、花椰菜Brassica oleracea L.var.botrytis L.、小白菜Brassica campestris L.ssp.chinensis Makino、田旋花Convolvulus arvensis L.、小藜Chenopodium serotinum L.、番茄Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.的挥发物,通过室内气相-质谱联用系统(GC-MS)进行挥发物的定性及定量分析,最终测定了9种候选特征挥发物的触角电位(EAG)反应和嗅觉趋向行为反应。【结果】7种寄主植物共鉴定到的化合物有31种,且种类和含量有较大差异,差异显著。9种候选特征挥发物均能引起牧草盲蝽雌、雄成虫的EAG反应。其中牧草盲蝽雌、雄成虫对壬醛的EAG反应绝对值最大,雌、雄虫对不同植物挥发物质EAG反应相对值均有显著差异,且对同种化合物雌虫的反应相对值均大于雄虫的反应,乙酸顺式-3-己烯酯和壬醛引发的EAG反应值差异显著;趋向行为测定中,牧草盲蝽雌虫对壬醛、金合欢烯、α-蒎烯、1-石竹烯、乙酸顺式-3-己烯酯、2-甲基-1-醇的大部分浓度的行为反应差异显著,雄虫仅对α-蒎烯、壬醛的部分浓度的行为反应差异显著。【结论】7种寄主植物的挥发物对牧草盲蝽雌、雄成虫具有不同EAG和趋向行为反应影响,候选气味化合物可以作为设计牧草盲蝽引诱剂组分进行田间害虫防控实践。     

飞蝗对两种禾本科植物挥发物的触角电位和行为反应

【目的】检测飞蝗对2种禾本科植物挥发物——癸醛和芳樟醇的触角电位及行为反应,为了解飞蝗的嗅觉机制提供依据。【方法】首先,使用触角电位仪检测飞蝗4龄若虫对癸醛和芳樟醇4个剂量的触角电位反应。其次,使用嗅觉行为仪检测正常条件下4龄飞蝗对癸醛和芳樟醇不同剂量的行为反应。最后,采用嗅觉行为仪检测饥饿和饱食状态下的虫体对癸醛和芳樟醇的行为反应。【结果】4龄飞蝗对癸醛和芳樟醇的EAG值随着剂量增加呈先升高后降低的趋势,均在500μg达到最高值,且在该剂量下,雌雄虫之间的EAG值存在显著差异。正常条件下,1 000μg芳樟醇对飞蝗雌雄虫均有显著的引诱作用,1 500μg癸醛和芳樟醇显著引诱雄虫,500μg癸醛显著引诱雌虫。经饥饿处理后,雌虫被500μg和1 000μg癸醛显著引诱,雄虫被250μg癸醛显著引诱,雌雄虫均被500μg的芳樟醇显著引诱。经过饱食处理后,250μg和500μg的芳樟醇显著引诱雌虫。芳樟醇对饥饿状态下飞蝗雄虫的引诱率均高于饱食状态,在500μg时,引诱率存在显著差异。【结论】飞蝗对这2种植物挥发物的触角电位反应存在剂量效应,雌雄虫触角电位在最佳剂量下存在显著差异。不同剂量的癸醛和芳樟醇可对飞蝗产生不同的引诱效果,饥饿状态下的虫体更易被芳樟醇所吸引。     

梨小食心虫化学通信中的信息物质

梨小食心虫Grapholitha molesta Busck是我国北方果区发生的重要害虫。当前对该虫的防治主要依赖化学农药, 但引起的害虫抗药性、 杀伤天敌和环境污染等问题非常严重。食心虫自身的信息素、 寄主/非寄主的他感化学物质对于调节其配偶选择和寄主定位起着至关重要的作用, 基于信息化学物质的害虫管理策略为果园食心虫的治理提供了新的途径。本文综述了国内外有关梨小食心虫化学信息物质研究进展, 包括雌蛾释放的性信息素组分及对雄、 雌两性的引诱, 雄蛾释放的信息素, 利用性信息素的迷向研究, 寄主植物挥发性引诱物质的鉴定和筛选, 以及梨小食心虫寄主转换机制等方面的研究现状和存在的问题。具体来说, 雌蛾的性信息素包括顺-8-十二碳烯醋酸酯、反-8-十二碳烯醋酸酯、顺-8-十二碳烯-1-醇和十二碳-1-醇, 各个组分的比例在地理种群间存在变异。在室内, 通过行为试验证实两种醋酸酯对雄蛾的引诱是必不可少的, 微量的顺-8-十二碳烯-1-醇对二元组分起到增效作用。在田间, 上述3种物质组成的诱芯具有较强的活性; 由此开发的性信息素迷向技术（人工迷向丝、 可喷施的微胶囊和蜡滴）被用于梨小食心虫交配干扰, 取得了很好的效果。梨小食心虫最主要的寄主植物桃梢挥发物包括22种化合物, 其中绿叶挥发物占到50%, 行为生测证实6~8个碳原子的物质是主要的活性化合物。顺-3-己烯丁酸酯、顺-3-己烯醇、反-2-己烯醛、苯甲醛和苯甲腈的五组分混合物, 其引诱力与天然桃梢挥发物相当。通过钙成像试验证实, 尽管苯甲腈在桃梢天然挥发物中仅占0.14%, 但雌蛾对含有该物质的混合物有显著趋性, 该物质对梨小食心虫成功识别寄主具有重要意义。最后对梨小食心虫信息化学物质下一步的研究和应用前景进行了探讨。     

Plant volatiles moderate response to aggregation pheromone in Colorado potato beetle

Abstract:  The orientation of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata , to a male-produced aggregation pheromone, ( S )-3,7-dimethyl-2-oxo-oct-6-ene-1,3-diol, a three-component plant attractant blend [comprised of ( Z )-3-hexenyl acetate + (±)-linalool + methyl salicylate], and other potato volatiles (nonanal and 2-phenylethanol) were tested. All compounds were previously shown to be active in coupled gas chromatography/electroantennogram experiments. Both the three-component plant attractant blend and 2-phenylethanol were attractive to adult beetles. While male beetles oriented preferentially to both plant attractants vs. a control, females showed little preference. Combining the plant attractants with the pheromone resulted in sexually dimorphic responses similar to those seen with either plant attractant alone. Addition of nonanal abolished the sexually dimorphic response to the pheromone + 2-phenylethanol blend; the new three-component blend was attractive to both sexes. In both laboratory bioassays and field experiments, a combination of the pheromone + the three-component plant attractant was preferred over the plant attractant alone. Thus, it seems likely that combinations of pheromone + plant volatiles may be the most efficacious for field use.     

Orientation of Colorado potato beetle to natural and synthetic blends of volatiles emitted by potato plants

1 Behavioural responses of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), to volatiles emitted from solanaceous host plants (potato and tomato), a non‐host legume (soybean), and 13 synthetic blends or three individual chemicals emitted by potato plants were investigated in laboratory bioassays. 2 Both male and female CPB were attracted to volatiles emitted by mechanically damaged potato foliage, but not to mechanically damaged tomato foliage; CPB offered a choice between the two damaged solanaceous plants did not show a preference. 3 Among 16 odourous blends or individual chemical components of potato plant emissions tested, six blends were attractive, two were repellent, and eight elicited no preference in laboratory bioassays. Volatile blends containing relatively high amounts of the green leaf volatiles (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol and (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, or the sesquiterpene β‐ caryophyllene, were unattractive or repellent. Minimal blends attractive to CPB were comprised of (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate (±)‐linalool and methyl salicylate: the combination of all three chemicals elicited sexually dimorphic attraction of males; two component blends comprised of (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate and either (±)‐linalool and methyl salicylate attracted both sexes. Individual compounds were inactive. No significant difference was noted between two attractive blends, or an attractive synthetic blend vs. mechanically damaged potato foliage. 4 These results show that CPB are attracted to blends of specific chemicals emitted by their host plants and provide a basis for the use of plant attractants as a component of integrated management of pestiferous populations.     

Host plant choice experiments of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Virginia

Field and laboratory-choice experiments were conducted to understand aspects of host plant orientation by the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Virginia. In laboratory bioassays, L. decemlineata oriented to volatiles emitted by potato, Solanum tuberosum L., foliage over both tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum L., and eggplant, Solanum melongena L., foliage, and eggplant over tomato foliage, all of which had been mechanically damaged. Field choice tests revealed more L. decemlineata adults, larvae, and egg masses on eggplant than on tomato. In other experiments, counts of live L. decemlineata on untreated paired plants and counts of dead beetles on imidacloprid-treated plants did not differ between potato and eggplant. L. decemlineata was significantly attracted to eggplant over both tomato and pepper. To determine whether feeding adults affected orientation to host plants, an imidacloprid-treated eggplant or potato plant was paired with an untreated eggplant or potato plant covered in a mesh bag containing two adult male beetles. Significantly more adults were attracted to eggplant with feeding male beetles paired with another eggplant than any other treatment combination. These results indicate that the presence of male L. decemlineata on plants affects host plant orientation and suggests that the male-produced aggregation pheromone may be involved.     

Evidence for a male-produced aggregation pheromone in Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Olfactory response of male and female Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to volatiles released from the same or opposite conspecifics alone, or combined with host plant volatiles, was evaluated in the laboratory and field. We also evaluated the response to synthetic Rhynchophorinae pheromones in the laboratory. In laboratory tests, attraction of males and females in Y-tube olfactometer to conspecific males was greater than to females and clean air. Males and females preferred the combination males + agave over agave alone. Both sexes were significantly attracted to 2-methyl-4-heptanol and 2-methyl-4-octanol compared with hexane control. In field trials, weevils were successfully caught in the traps baited with conspecifics and plant material. These field results support those of the laboratory bioassays, showing that males attracted conspecific males and females and addition of plant material enhanced the attraction. These results further suggest that S. acupunctatus produces an aggregation pheromone.     

Host odours enhance the responses of adult Rhyzopertha dominica to male-produced aggregation pheromone

The behavioural responses of adult male and female Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae) to blends of host volatiles and male-produced aggregation pheromone were observed in a four-arm airflow olfactometer. The odour sources used were five pheromone-releasing males each on a single maize grain (lower maize-volatiles blend), five pheromone-releasing males on 500 g of maize (higher maize-volatiles blend) or the host volatiles emanating from 500g of maize (maize volatiles alone). Multiple-choice tests, in which volatiles from all three odour sources were presented in the exposure chamber at the same time, were used to study odour preferences of the males and females. Both sexes showed strongest attraction to the higher maize volatile blend but there were significant sex differences in response to the odour sources. Males spent significantly more time than females in the zone with only maize volatiles, and females spent significantly more time in the higher maize-volatiles zone. However, when odour sources were offered singly, females gave numerically greater responses than males to all sources although this difference was statistically significant for only the lower maize-volatiles blend. As males are more attracted than females to host odours alone it is suggested that they may be more highly adapted to seek out new hosts while females are more inclined to locate a food source by following the pheromone signals produced by males. However, both sexes responded most strongly to the odour source comprising aggregation pheromone with the higher proportion of maize volatiles.     

Potential host affinities for the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica: behavioral responses to host odors and pheromones and reproductive ability on non-grain hosts

Behavioral responses of male and female Rhyzopertha dominica L. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) to odors from pulverized wheat seeds, peanuts, cowpeas, potato tubers, acorns, and twigs from cedar and pine were compared in dual‐choice, still‐air bioassays. We investigated the reproductive success of R. dominica on five of the seven plant tissues (wheat, peanuts, cowpeas, dried potato tubers, and acorns). A field experiment was also conducted to investigate responses of dispersing R. dominica to semiochemicals emitted by live males placed on different plant species. Results showed that both sexes of R. dominica responded to plant volatiles, but responses were strongest to seeds of wheat, a plant species judged to be most suitable for beetle development due to the number of progeny produced on the plant species. Similarly, insects reared on wheat were heavier than those reared on less suitable materials. In general, behavioral responses by males to plant volatiles were faster than responses by females. Responses of conspecifics to aggregation pheromones produced by males feeding on different host materials were skewed toward females although both sexes were attracted. Male R. dominica feeding on wheat recruited more conspecifics than beetles feeding on less suitable hosts (acorns, cowpeas, peanut, and potato tubers).     

Phase-independent responses to phase-specific aggregation pheromone in adult desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Abstract. Volatiles from solitary-reared (solitarious) and crowd-reared (gregarious) adult male desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), were quantitatively and qualitatively different.In particular, solitarious males did not emit phenylacetonitrile, a key component of the aggregation pheromone produced by gregarious adult males.In laboratory bioassays, solitarious and gregarious adults of both sexes responded similarly to the natural aggregation pheromone blend, the major pheromone component phenylacetonitrile, and a synthetic pheromone blend comprising benzaldehyde, guaiacol, phenylacetonitrile and phenol.EAG measurements showed significant differences in the responsiveness of adults of the two phases to the four synthetic components at high doses; however, the general response patterns were similar.These results suggest that the gregarious adult male aggregation pheromone may play a role in the arrestment and subsequent recruitment of solitarious individuals into gregarious or gregarizing groups during the early stages of a locust outbreak.     

Primary attraction and kairomonal host discrimination in three species of Dendroctonus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract 1 Synthetic blends of bole and foliage volatiles of four sympatric species of conifers were released from pheromone‐baited multiple‐funnel traps to determine if three species of tree‐killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): (i) exhibited primary attraction to volatiles of their hosts and (ii) discriminated among volatiles of four sympatric species of host and nonhost conifers. 2 Bole and foliage volatiles from Douglas‐fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, increased the attraction of coastal and interior Douglas‐fir beetles, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins, to pheromone‐baited traps. Primary attraction to bole volatiles was observed in interior D. pseudotsugae. Beetles were significantly less attracted to the pheromone bait when it was combined with volatiles of lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. or interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa × bifolia. 3 The monoterpene myrcene synergized attraction of mountain pine beetles, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, to their aggregation pheromones, but there was no evidence of primary attraction to host volatiles or discrimination among volatiles from the four conifers. 4 There was significant primary attraction of the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby, to bole and foliage volatiles of interior spruce, Picea engelmannii × glauca, but beetles did not discriminate among volatiles of four sympatric conifers when they were combined with pheromone baits. 5 Our results indicate that host volatiles act as kairomones to aid pioneer Douglas‐fir beetles and spruce beetles in host location by primary attraction, and that their role as synergists to aggregation pheromones is significant. For the mountain pine beetle, we conclude that random landing and close range acceptance or rejection of potential hosts would occur in the absence of aggregation pheromones emanating from a tree under attack.     

Aggregation pheromone in Sternechus subsignatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): olfactory behaviour and temporal pattern of emission

The Brazilian soybean stalk weevil, Sternechus subsignatus Boehman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a pest of economic importance in many regions of Brazil. Volatiles from both sexes of S. subsignatus were collected by aeration and the behavioural response of males and females was evaluated using a Y‐olfactometer. The results obtained demonstrate that the communication in S. subsignatus is mediated by aggregation pheromone as both sexes were attracted to host plant (HP) volatiles, and this attraction was increased by the addition of male volatiles. At least five male‐specific compounds (1–5) were detected in the chromatographic analysis, providing chemical support to the behavioural data. Release of these volatiles is dependent on the presence of the HP as the amount of compounds differs significantly when volatiles are collected from weevils with or without access to food. The release takes place mainly during photophase, showing a peak between 4 and 6 h after its beginning, which is also a peak of the insect activity in the field. Studies are underway to elucidate the structures of these putative aggregation pheromone components, in order to evaluate their biological activity under laboratory and field conditions.     

Identification of Esters as Novel Aggregation Pheromone Components Produced by the Male Powder-Post Beetle,Lyctus africanus Lesne (Coleoptera: Lyctinae)

Lyctus africanus is a cosmopolitan powder-post beetle that is considered one of the major pests threatening timber and timber products. Because infestations of this beetle are inconspicuous, damage is difficult to detect and identification is often delayed. We identified the chemical compounds involved in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus using preparations of crude hexanic extracts from male and female beetles (ME and FE, respectively). Both male and female beetles showed significant preferences for ME, which was found to contain three esters. FE was ignored by both the sexes. Further bioassay confirmed the role of esters in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus. Three esters were identified as 2-propyl dodecanoate, 3-pentyl dodecanoate, and 3-pentyl tetradecanoate. Further behavioral bioassays revealed 3-pentyl dodecanoate to play the main role in the aggregation behavior of female L. africanus beetles. However, significantly more beetles aggregated on a paper disk treated with a blend of the three esters than on a paper disk treated with a single ester. This is the first report on pheromone identification in L. africanus; in addition, the study for the first time presents 3-pentyl dodecanoate as an insect pheromone.