Does age and mating status influence the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of the emerald ash borer?

Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis (EAB) was investigated to determine if age and mating status influence the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of the adult beetles. Using SPME (solid phase microextraction) techniques, male and female EAB were sampled at 1 day following eclosion (before maturation feeding), at 8 days(following maturation feeding), at 15 days (just before mating), and at 18 days and 36 days (3 days and 21 days post-mating) to see if the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles change over the life of the beetle. SPME techniques are advantageous because the technique is non-lethal and beetles can be resampled over their lifetime. We tested the null hypothesis that there are no differences in the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles with respect to age and mating status for EAB.