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 damage 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.
Species 1: Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Diorhabda Diorhabda elongata
Keywords: pheromone, saltcedar
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