title: Circadian release of male-specific components of the greater date moth, Aphomia (Arenipses) sabella, using sequential SPME/GC/MS analysis.
abstract: The greater date moth (GDM), Aphomia sabella Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Galleriinae), is a serious pest of date palms, Phoenix dactylifera. The release of volatiles from both males and females was investigated using sequential SPME/GC/MS analysis. Males release a complex mixture of compounds in a circadian rhythm during the night between 03:00 and 05:00 hr. Six compounds were identified: benzaldehyde, sulcatol (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol), geranyl acetone [(E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one], phenylacetaldehyde, 2-phenylpropenal, and (R)-fuscumol [(R)-(E)-6, 10-dimethyl-5, 9-undecadien-2-ol]. Benzaldehyde, sulcatol, and geranyl acetone were found only in trace amounts. These compounds were in glands located in the forewing of males only. Small amounts of acetoin and 2,3-butanediol were found sporadically in the SPME/GC/MS analyses of volatiles from females, and these compounds probably originate from microorganisms. This is the first finding of a circadian release of male-specific compounds in moths. GC/EAD analyses with synthetic standards of compounds released by males showed that the female antenna is stimulated by all six compounds, while the male antenna responded only to phenylacetaldehyde. A possible pheromonal role for the male-specific compounds is suggested by the circadian rhythm of their release and the EAD response of females to them. However, trapping tests with the main male-specific compounds in screen cages in the laboratory or in the field did not reveal any significant behavioral responses from females or males. Copulation in the laboratory was observed only in the presence of date palm tissue, thus suggesting that sexual communication and mating of GDM moths probably occurs in the crown of date palms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, 50250, Israel, anatzada@volcani.agri.gov.il.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levi-Zada
authors.forename: Maayan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fefer
authors.forename: Valeriya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seplyarsky
authors.forename: Avraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadowsky
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dobrinin
authors.forename: Tamir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ticuchinski
authors.forename: Dafna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harari
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blumberg
authors.forename: Ezra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunkelblum
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000378:metabolism*; D010675:Pheromones / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D052617:Solid Phase Microextraction
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants; C000588602:fuscumol; C013026:hydratropic aldehyde; D000079:Acetaldehyde; C013192:phenylacetaldehyde