Cotton seed volatiles functioning as host-seeking cues for the cotton seed bug (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Authors: SARKER, SOUVIC - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Ahmed, Mohamed Save; PRADEEP, PAUDEL - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Zhang, Aijun

Submitted to: Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/2026
Publication Date: 6/9/2026
Citation: Sarker, S., Ahmed, M., Pradeep, P., Zhang, A. 2026. Cotton seed volatiles functioning as host-seeking cues for the cotton seed bug (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). Agriculture. 16(12):1275. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121275.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121275

Interpretive Summary: Cotton seed bug (CSB) is an invasive pest that threatens cotton, hibiscus, okra, and other mallow-family crops by feeding on seeds and reducing germination and yield. A recent outbreak in California raised alarms about potential economic losses to U.S. cotton and related commodities. Because current management relies on broad-spectrum insecticides that must be applied soon after infestation, early detection tools are urgently needed. To address this gap, researchers analyzed volatile chemicals released from whole cottonseed and identified four compounds that strongly attract adult CSBs. These chemicals and their synthetic blends were tested in laboratory bioassays, where they consistently triggered attractive behavioral responses. The study provides the first full characterization of cottonseed volatile emissions and the first evidence that these four compounds function as CSB attractants. These findings lay the groundwork for developing monitoring and detection tools that can be integrated into Invasive Pest Management programs to help growers, farmers, and the nursery industry manage CSB more efficiently. The research will benefit national and international scientists, cotton and nursery industries, pest management professionals, and governmental agencies responsible for monitoring CSB in production regions.

Technical Abstract: The cotton seed bug (CSB) (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis), an emerging pest of cotton worldwide, causes significant economic damage through seed feeding and fiber contamination. Effective monitoring tools for this species are currently lacking, limiting the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. In this study, we characterized the volatile profile of whole, unprocessed cottonseed and evaluated the behavioral responses of adult CSB to individual compounds and synthetic blends. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 17 volatile compounds, including aldehydes, hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, terpenes, a ketone, and a fatty acid ester. Y-tube olfactometer assays revealed that four compounds, 1-heptanal, 1-decene, 1-nonanal, and isopropyl palmitate elicited significant attraction in both males and females. Blends formulated using either a GC-based natural ratio or equal ratios demonstrated strong, dose-dependent attraction, with optimal responses occurring at low doses (0.01 µg). Attraction was consistently observed only when all four components were present, whereas reduced blends produced sex-specific and dose-restricted responses. Notably, removal of the fatty acid ester isopropyl palmitate eliminated attraction entirely, indicating its critical role in behavioral activation. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of volatile emissions from whole cottonseed and presents the first evidence that 1-decene and isopropyl palmitate function as insect attractants. These findings advance our understanding of CSB chemical ecology and highlight the potential of low-dose, multi-component kairomonal blends as tools for monitoring and management of worldwide pest O. hyalinipennis.