Behavioral response of the pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano) to synthetic volatile compounds

Anthonomus eugenii Cano is the most economically important pest of the pepper crop (Capsicum spp.) in the American continent. Its management requires efficient techniques for monitoring and control. Previous studies indicate that the volatiles released from flowers and fruits of pepper are attractive to the pepper weevil adults, so that such compounds could serve as an attractant for this insect. In this research, bioassays were conducted in a two-way olfactometer to assess the behavioral response of the pepper-weevil adults to some of 11 synthetic volatile compounds identified in fruits and flowers of pepper, and mixtures of them as well as to the combination thereof with the aggregation pheromone of A. eugenii. The results showed that a mixture of (Z)-β-ocimene, D-limonene and 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine were attractive to adults of both sexes. The addition of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and terpinolene to this combination increased the response of females and males, respectively. The tertiary mixture of synthetic compounds was as attractive as the aggregation pheromone for adults of both sexes, and the combination of volatiles and pheromone had a synergistic effect on the male response. Field experiments are being planned to determine the functionality of these compounds in natural conditions.