title: Synthesis and field tests of possible minor components of the sex pheromone of Prionus californicus.
abstract: Earlier work has shown that adult male Prionus californicus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are attracted to the female-produced compound (3R,5S)-3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid, and to a synthetic mixture of the four stereoisomers of 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid. Here, we report the results of field trials that tested whether or not three structurally related compounds (methyl 3,5-dimethyldodecanoate, 3,5-dimethyltridecanoic acid, and 3,5-dimethylpentadecanoic acid), present in extracts of virgin females, are attractive, and whether or not they influence attraction to 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid. In a trial with single components, only traps baited with the acid or its methyl ester captured more beetles than did control traps; catches to the acid were five times higher than to the methyl ester. Another trial, excluding 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid, confirmed the activity of the methyl ester. Finally, addition of the three compounds to 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid, in the ratio found in extracts from female beetles, gave a catch similar to that of traps baited with 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid alone. Consequently, the function of these minor compounds remains undetermined.
authors.affiliation: Southwest Idaho Research & Extension Center, Parma, ID 83660-9637, USA.
authors.forename: Elin C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodstein
authors.forename: Jocelyn G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Barbour
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hanks
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Barbour
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000737:chemistry*; D003652:Decanoic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D052617:Solid Phase Microextraction; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D003652:Decanoic Acids; D012724:Sex Attractants