ARS | Publication request: MALE SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS FROM THREE SPECIES OF PHYLLOTRETA FLEA BEETLES

Submitted to: National Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 29, 2003
Publication Date: October 29, 2004
Citation: Zilkowski, B.W. 2004. Male specific compounds from three species of phyllotreta flea beetles [abstract]. National Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Abstract No. D0331.

Technical Abstract: Volatiles emitted by three species of flea beetles feeding on their host plant (cabbage) were analyzed chemically and by electrophysiology as part of a pheromone project. GCMS comparisons of the volatiles collected from Phyllotreta striolata, P. conjuncta, and P. pusillar indicated that the males of each species had a blend of at least eight compounds lacking from the respective females. Some of the blend components are shared among two or more of the species, and some of these were previously identified as components of the male-produced aggregation pheromone of the related species, P. cruciferae. Several of the other components are novel chemical structures. Ratios of components are rather stable within species but differ between species. Electroantennogram activity was demonstrated in P. striolata and P. pusillar. The data are consistent with a pheromonal function in each species.