Attractiveness of harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica, aggregation pheromone: field response to isomers, ratios, and dose

J Chem Ecol. 2014 Dec;40(11-12):1251-9. doi: 10.1007/s10886-014-0519-9. Epub 2014 Nov 8.

Abstract

A two-component pheromone, (3S,6S,7R,10S)- and (3S,6S,7R,10R)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol (murgantiol), present in emissions from adult male harlequin bugs, Murgantia histrionica, is most attractive in field bioassays to adults and nymphs in the naturally occurring ratio of ca. 1.4:1. Each of the two individual synthetic stereoisomers is highly attractive to male and female adults and nymphs, but is more attractive in combination and when deployed with a harlequin bug host plant. Blends of 8 stereoisomers also are highly attractive, suggesting that isomers not found in the natural pheromone are not repellent. Deployment of an inexpensive non-stereospecific synthetic pheromone holds promise for efficient trapping and/or use in trap-crops for this important pest in North America.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemotaxis*
  • Female
  • Heteroptera / growth & development
  • Heteroptera / physiology*
  • Male
  • Nymph / physiology
  • Pheromones / metabolism*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Pheromones