« Previous Abstract"Identification of the sex pheromone of a protected species, the Spanish moon moth Graellsia isabellae"    Next AbstractDelivering on the Promise of Pheromones - Part 2 »

J Econ Entomol

Title:		"Identification of the sex pheromone of the invasive scale Acutaspis albopicta (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), arriving in California on shipments of avocados from Mexico"
Author(s):		Millar JG; Chinta SP; McElfresh JS; Robinson LJ; Morse JG;
Address:		"Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. jocelyn.millar@ucr.edu"
Journal Title:		J Econ Entomol
Year:		2012
Volume:		105
Issue:		2
Page Number:		497 - 504
DOI:		10.1603/ec11366
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-0493 (Print) 0022-0493 (Linking)
Abstract:		"As a result of relaxation of importation restrictions ordered by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shipments of fresh avocados from Mexico began entering California year-round in 2007, despite the fact that these shipments were heavily infested with a number of exotic and potentially invasive armored scale species that are not thought to be present in California. Here, we report the identification of the sex pheromone of one of these species, Acutaspis albopicta (Cockerell), from a quarantine colony of these insects initiated from specimens collected from commercial shipments of Mexican avocados. The compound was identified as [(1S,3S)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclobutyl)]methyl (R)-2-methylbutanoate, and was similar in structure to the pheromones of several other scale and mealybug species. In laboratory bioassays, the pheromone was highly attractive to male scales in microgram doses. The pheromone will provide a very sensitive and selective tool for detection of the scale to try and prevent its permanent establishment in California"
Keywords:		"Animals California Electrophysiology Female Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Hemiptera/chemistry/*drug effects Male Persea Sex Attractants/*chemical synthesis/pharmacology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*drug effects;"
Notes:		"MedlineMillar, Jocelyn G Chinta, Satya P McElfresh, J Steven Robinson, Lindsay J Morse, Joseph G eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2012/05/23 J Econ Entomol. 2012 Apr; 105(2):497-504. doi: 10.1603/ec11366"