Attractiveness of harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica, aggregation pheromone: field response to isomers, ratios, and dose.
A two-component pheromone, (3S,6S,7R,10S)- and (3S,6S,7R,10R)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol (murgantiol), present in emissions from adult male harlequin bugs, Murgantia histrionica, is most attractive in field bioassays to adults and nymphs in the naturally occurring ratio of ca. 1.4:1. Each of the two individual synthetic stereoisomers is highly attractive to male and female adults and nymphs, but is more attractive in combination and when deployed with a harlequin bug host plant. Blends of 8 stereoisomers also are highly attractive, suggesting that isomers not found in the natural pheromone are not repellent. Deployment of an inexpensive non-stereospecific synthetic pheromone holds promise for efficient trapping and/or use in trap-crops for this important pest in North America.
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA, Don.Weber@ars.usda.gov.
Donald C
DC
Weber
Guillermo
G
Cabrera Walsh
Anthony S
AS
DiMeglio
Michael M
MM
Athanas
Tracy C
TC
Leskey
Ashot
A
Khrimian
D000818:Animals; D002633:Chemotaxis; D005260:Female; D020062:Heteroptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009758:Nymph / Q000502:physiology; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D010675:Pheromones