ARS | Publication request: CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION IN CEREAL LEAF BEETLE, OULEMA MELANOPUS (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Submitted to: International Society of Chemical Ecology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 7, 2002
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The male-produced pheromone of the cereal leaf beetle has been identified as (E)-8-hydroxy 6-methyl-6-octen-3-one (Cosse et al., J. Nat. Prod., in press). Pheromone was detected in volatile collections of single males, grouped males, and mixed sex groups, but was absent in volatile collections of oat plants infested with female beetles. Pheromone emission was highest during the photophase and decreased during the scotophase. Average pheromone emission for single virgin males was 217 ng/hr during the daylight hours and 37 ng/hr during the nighttime, with a maximum emission of 5.3 ug/l6 hrs. Pheromone emission was ~800x higher under greenhouse conditions compared to emission under artificial light in incubators. With single virgin males, pheromone emissions started 4 days after emergence from hibernation and lasted for up to 5 weeks. The pheromone was electrophysiologically active on male and female antennae as well as several host-derived compounds, such as benzaldehyde, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, nonanal, and methyl salicylate. The pheromone was attractive to males and females in the field, and the behavioral effect of the pheromone was synergized by the plant compound (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate.