Optimized trap lure for male Melolontha cockchafers |
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Authors: | A Reinecke J Ruther C J Mayer M Hilker |
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Institution: | Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany |
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Abstract: | Abstract: Melolontha cockchafer males search for mates using green leaf volatiles (GLV), released by host plants after female feeding. Thus, the feeding-induced plant volatiles act as sexual kairomones. Males of both Melontha hippocastani and Melontha melolontha are strongly attracted by the GLV ( Z )-3-hexen-1-ol ( Z -3-ol). Sex pheromones enhance the attractiveness of Z -3-ol and have been identified as toluquinone (TQ) in M. melolontha , and 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) in M. hippocastani . Additionally, phenol acts as a male attractant in both species. From the perspective of potential application, we investigated by field experiments with volatile-baited traps the ways of enhancing the number of captured males by the use of specific binary or ternary blends of Z -3-ol with phenol, and TQ or BQ respectively. The data show that in both species binary lures containing Z -3-ol combined with TQ or BQ at a ratio of 10 : 1 are the most potent male attractants. |
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Keywords: | 1 4-benzoquinone GLV phenol sex pheromone toluquinone |
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