ARS | Publication request: (S)-3,7-Dimethyl-2-Oxo-6octene-1,3-Diol:an Aggregation Pheromone of the Coloradao Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa Decemlineata (Say).

Submitted to: Tetrahedron Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 6, 2002
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The Colorado potato beetle is one of the more serious pests confronting American agriculture. Identification of a pheromone for this insect has eluded researchers for many years, and this paper describes the successful fulfillment of this goal. Availability of an aggregation pheromone may facilitate control efforts in any of several ways. For example, to attract beetles into traps, or by combination with an insecticide to attract beetles to their death. Further behavior modification induced by an aggregation pheromon might lure beetles away from crops.

Technical Abstract: (S)-3,7-Dimethyl-2-oxo-6-octene-1,3-diol has been identified as a male produced pheromone from the Colorado potato beetle. Its gross structure was deduced from its mass and NMR spectra plus synthesis from geraniol. The absolute configuration was determined to be (S) by syntheses of both enantiomers from (R)- and (S)-linalool, respectively.