Identification of the female-produced sex pheromone of the scarab beetle, Hoplia equina

J Chem Ecol. 2003 Jul;29(7):1635-42. doi: 10.1023/a:1024226931240.

Abstract

Hoplia equina LeConte (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) is a beetle pest of cranberry beds in Massachusetts. Larvae feed on the roots of the cranberry plant, reducing yield as well as vine density. The female sex pheromone was identified as 2-tetradecanone. There were eight compounds found in the airborne volatiles collected from females that elicited antennal responses from males. Of the eight compounds tested (nonanal, decanal, dodecanal, 2-dodecanone, 2-tridecanone, 2-tetradecanone, 2-pentadecanone, and 2-hexadecanone), 2-tetradecanone was the only one that attracted male beetles in the field. Combining any of the other seven antennally active compounds with 2-tetradecanone did not increase male capture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coleoptera / physiology*
  • Decanoates / isolation & purification*
  • Decanoates / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Larva
  • Male
  • Sex Attractants / isolation & purification*
  • Sex Attractants / pharmacology*
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • 2-tetradecanone
  • Decanoates
  • Sex Attractants