Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 2, 2006
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract:
The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a high risk, exotic species in the U.S. In 2002, two male-produced volatiles were isolated from ALB that elicited strong gas chromatographic-electroanntennographic responses from both sexes of beetles. The components were synthesized and consisted of an aldehyde (4-(n-heptyloxy)butanal) and an alcohol (4-(n-heptyloxy)butan-1-ol). Behavioral tests were conducted using ALB adults both using an arena consisting of glass tubes with a low speed unidirectional wind produced by a small fan at one opening of the tube. Chemicals were applied on cotton sticks between the fan and the tube, and insects were introduced at the other end of the tube. Different concentrations of each chemical, as well as the mixture of the two chemicals, were tested. Virgin females, unmated males, mated females and mated males were tested separately. Individuals used were in the same age range. The tubes were virtually divided into three equal horizontal compartments and the time required for each insect to move from one compartment to another was recorded. Each insect was observed for 20 minutes. Results showed that the male-produced pheromone attracted primarily virgin females, even at low concentrations. This finding is a vital step in the process of building a potentially effective monitoring tool for ALB in the field. Further studies will be conducted to determine the distance over which attraction occurs and field experiments in China are planned for next summer.
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