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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Male aggregation pheromone of date palm fruit stalk borer Oryctes elegans
Author(s):		Rochat D; Mohammadpoor K; Malosse C; Avand-Faghih A; Lettere M; Beauhaire J; Morin JP; Pezier A; Renou M; Abdollahi GA;
Address:		"INRA, Unite de Phytopharmacie et Mediateurs Chimiques, Centre de Versailles, Route de Saint-Cyr, 78026 Versailles Cedex, France. rochatd@versailles.inra.fr"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2004
Volume:		30
Issue:		2
Page Number:		387 - 407
DOI:		10.1023/b:joec.0000017984.26917.52
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Laboratory and field investigations were carried out to characterize the chemical communication system of the date palm fruit stalk borer, Oryctes elegans, and to develop pheromone-based trapping in Eastern Iran. Adults of both sexes feeding on date palm pieces attracted conspecifics, whereas date palm alone was minimally attractive. Males were twice as attractive as females. More beetles were captured at the palm crown than at ground level. Odors from adults feeding on sugarcane were sampled and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Whereas females did not emit sex specific volatiles, males emitted a blend of 4-methyloctanoic acid (1: major component) and ethyl 4-methyloctanoate (2), occasionally mixed with minor components: 4-methyloctanyl acetate (3), methyl 4-methyloctanoate (4), 4-methyloctanol (5), and nonanyl acetate (6). Electroantennography and field trapping experiments demonstrated that compound 1 is an essential component of the male aggregation pheromone of O. elegans. It was barely attractive by itself but synergistic with fresh date palm odor. It attracted many more beetles than any of compounds 2-6. The addition of one or several of compounds 2-6 to 1 did not improve trap captures. During the course of 2 years, we captured 4000 beetles, with a weekly average of 6.3 beetles/trap, and were able to monitor the seasonal flight of O. elegans. Our results provide the basis for developing mass trapping for control of this pest"
Keywords:		"Animals Arecaceae Coleoptera/*physiology *Flight, Animal Insect Control Male Pheromones/*pharmacology Population Dynamics Seasons;"
Notes:		"MedlineRochat, Didier Mohammadpoor, Kazem Malosse, Christian Avand-Faghih, Arman Lettere, Martine Beauhaire, Josiane Morin, Jean-Paul Pezier, Adeline Renou, Michel Abdollahi, Gholam Abbas eng 2004/04/29 J Chem Ecol. 2004 Feb; 30(2):387-407. doi: 10.1023/b:joec.0000017984.26917.52"