Oviposition deterrent pheromones (ODPs) have been isolated from several beetle species, including close relatives of the Asian Longhorn Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis. Like other species that use ODPs, A. glabripennis lives in hosts where resource competition is likely. This study was designed to determine the presence, source, and chemical composition of ODP’s used by A. glabripennis. Adult female beetles were permitted to oviposit on fresh logs. Four components of the oviposition site (eggs, beetle produced plug, 1 cm sq of bark surrounding the egg site, and a black spot under the egg site) were excised and placed in dichloromethane. Extract activity was assayed using paired choice tests, in which female beetles were permitted to oviposit on logs sprayed with either the extract or with neat dichloromethane. We found significantly fewer oviposition sites on logs sprayed with the oviposition site extract, supporting the hypothesis that A. glabripennis produces ODPs. Follow-up experiments to determine which of the four excised components contains the deterrent compounds have been inconclusive but it appears that all four components are needed to deter oviposition. Experiments are currently underway to determine the chemical composition of the active material. Information from this study can be used to develop an integrated control strategy, in which ODPs are used with an attractant in a push-pull fashion.
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