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Conversion of phenylalanine to toluene and 2-phenylethanol by the pine engraverIps pini (Say) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae)

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Summary

The pine engraver,Ips pini (Say), was found to produce toluene and 2-phenylethanol when boring into fresh pine logs. The hypotheses that phenylalanine is a precursor of these compounds and that beetles without their symbiotic microorganisms can perform these conversions were confirmed by treating wild and axencially-reared males and females topically with L-phenyl-d5-alanine. Extracts of these beetles invariably contained deuterio-toluene, and extracts of males contained deuterio-2-phenylethanol as well.

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Author notes

  1. M. J. Smirle

    Present address: Dept. of Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of British Columbia, V6T 2A2, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

  2. A. Leufvén

    Present address: Dept. of Chemical Ecology, University of Göteburg, Box 33 031, S-40 033, Göteborg, Sweden

  3. H. S. Whitney

    Present address: Pacific Forestry Centre, Forestry Canada, 506 West Burnside Road, V8Z 1M5, Victoria, B.C., Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Pest Management, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, B. C., Canada

    G. Gries, M. J. Smirle, A. Leufvén, D. R. Miller, J. H. Borden & H. S. Whitney

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  1. G. Gries
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  2. M. J. Smirle
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  3. A. Leufvén
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  4. D. R. Miller
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  5. J. H. Borden
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  6. H. S. Whitney
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Gries, G., Smirle, M.J., Leufvén, A. et al. Conversion of phenylalanine to toluene and 2-phenylethanol by the pine engraverIps pini (Say) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). Experientia 46, 329–331 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01951781

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01951781

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