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Identification of a female-produced sex pheromone of the western corn rootworm

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Abstract

A sex pheromone has been isolated and identified from virgin females of the western corn rootworm (WCR),Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. The synthesized compound, racemic 8-methyl-2-decanol propanoate, was equal in attraction to the natural pheromone when tested in the field as a trap bait against three taxa ofDiabrotica known to respond to pheromone extracts from female WCR. Five taxa (D. virgifera virgifera; D. virgifera zeae Krysan and Smith, Mexican corn rootworm;D. longicornis barberi Smith and Lawrence, northern corn rootworm;D. longicornis longicornis (Say); andD. porracea Harold) were attracted to traps baited with 8-methyl-2-decanol propanoate. The response of male northern corn rootworms (NCR) in the field peaked at a relatively low concentration of 8-methyl-2-decanol propanoate and then was severely reduced at the higher concentrations tested. Conversely, the response of male WCR in the field continued to increase up to the highest dose tested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory, 57006, Brookings, South Dakota

    P. L. Guss

  2. Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Insect Attractants, Behavior, and Basic Biology Research Laboratory, 32604, Gainesville, Florida

    J. H. Tumlinson, P. E. Sonnet & A. T. Proveaux

Authors
  1. P. L. Guss
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  2. J. H. Tumlinson
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  3. P. E. Sonnet
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  4. A. T. Proveaux
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Guss, P.L., Tumlinson, J.H., Sonnet, P.E. et al. Identification of a female-produced sex pheromone of the western corn rootworm. J Chem Ecol 8, 545–556 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987802

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987802

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