2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) We will: (1) isolate and identify attractive olfactory stimuli associated with host- and mate-finding for adult plum curculio using gas chromatography coupled with electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and mass spectrometry (MS); (2) develop effective deployment strategies for newly identified olfactory stimuli to manipulate host- and mate-finding behavior and promote aggregation of the plum curculio within commercial apple orchards. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) We will isolate and identify attractive olfactory stimuli for adult plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst). This information will be used by both parties to develop a multi-lifestage management strategy for the plum curculio. "Specialty Crops Research Initiative" 3.Progress Report This year a support scientist was hired who began to carry out chemistry related to this research. The headspace volatiles from a southern strain (USDA-ARS, AFRS, West Virginia USA) and a northern strain (St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada) of male plum curculio have been collected and analyzed for novel pheromone components (USDA-ARS, BARC, Beltsville MD USA). We have found that males started to produce pheromone at age older than ~12 days and the high humidity environment was required for pheromone production. The new pheromone component has been identified and biological activity needs to be confirmed in the lab and field experiments. Plum curculio is a component insect of the parent project; thus these results will lead to project discoveries.