title: Methyl 2-(methylthio)benzoate: the unique sulfur-containing sex pheromone of Phyllophaga crinita.
abstract: The female-produced sex pheromone of Phyllophaga crinita (Burmeister) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae; the adult has no common name) is identified as methyl 2-(methylthio)benzoate. This is the first identification of a sulfur-containing, long-distance, female-produced sex attractant from any insect taxa. The root-feeding larvae of this species are serious pests in many crops in Texas and Mexico. In field tests, many P. crinita males were captured in traps baited with the authentic compound. Interestingly, a heteroatom analog, methyl 2-methoxybenzoate, also captured P. crinita males, but only at a dose 10,000 times higher than the lowest tested dose of the authentic pheromone.
authors: Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, USA. psr1@cornell.edu
authors: P S
authors: PS
authors: Robbins
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Crocker
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Nojima
authors: B D
authors: BD
authors: Morris
authors: W L
authors: WL
authors: Roelofs
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Villani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000737:chemistry*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D010675:Pheromones; D013440:Sulfides; C051442:methyl 4-(methylthio)benzoate; D013455:Sulfur