ARS | Publication request: IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGGREGATION PHEROMONE ON DIORHABDA ELONGATA (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE), A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT OF SALTCEDAR (TAMARIX SPP.)

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 29, 2003
Publication Date: October 26, 2003
Citation: Cosse, A.A., Bartelt, R.J., Zilkowski, B.W., Petroski, R.J. .... 2003. Identification of the aggregation pheromone on Diorhabda elongata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of saltcedar (tamarix spp.) [abstract]. Entomological Society of America. p. 37.

Technical Abstract: Research has been done to identify a pheromone in Diorhabda elongata, that might be used eventually as a survey/monitoring tool in saltcedar biocontrol programs. The male-produced pheromone of D. elongata has been identified as a blend of two compounds, (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal and (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadien-1-ol. These compounds are also detected from damaged saltcedar foliage, but in minor amounts. The amounts in collections from feeding males were 30 to 70 times higher than in collections from feeding females or foliage controls. Only reproductive males showed the high levels of the compounds. Feeding males and females destined for overwintering diapause had only background levels of the identified pheromone components. The aldehyde and alcohol strongly stimulate the antennae of both males and females, suggesting that they function as components of a male-produced aggregation pheromone. Several host-derived compounds, such as green leaf volatiles, nonanal, (2E,6Z)-2,6-nonadienal, indole, and (E,E)-alpha-farnesene were electrophysiologically active as well. The pheromone was attractive to males and females in the field supporting the pheromonal function of the two identified compounds.