Journal of Chemical Ecology

Vernon, R.; Borden, J.; Pierce, H.; Oehlschlager, A.

doi: 10.1007/BF00988179pmid: N/A

An oviposition bioassay for the onion maggot,Hylemya antiqua (Meigen), is described in which females, in response to volatile stimulants, oviposit through small apertures onto moistened filter paper. Onion volatiles that act as attractants and oviposition stimulants were captured in Porapak Q from air passed over chopped onions in glass chambers. Pentane extracts from odor-impregnated Porapak Q induced ∼ 30–50% of the oviposition that occurred in response to 15-g onion-slice stimuli. Extracts presented in pentane on waxed dental cotton wicks induced more constant oviposition over a 3-day period than extracts on unwaxed wicks. Extract of the Porapak Q-captured volatiles from bulbs of fresh, actively growing onions elicited a much stronger response than did stem and leaf extracts from the same onions. The bioassay techniques and chemical procedures developed in this study could be used in chemical isolation programs for host attractants or oviposition stimulants forH. antiqua or similar species.

Hill, A.; Cardé, R.; Bode, W.; Roelofs, W.

doi: 10.1007/BF00988180pmid: N/A

Female tip extracts of the variegated leafroller moth,Platynota flavedana (Clemens), were analyzed and found to contain a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol and (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol (9∶1), as well as a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (2-3∶1). Small amounts of tetradecen-1-ol and tetradecyl acetate probably are also present. In the field, a mixture of the two alcohols (84∶16,E∶Z ratio) attracted significantly more male moths of this species than any other mixture tested. The data indicate that the acetates are probably not used as pheromone components.

Vandersar, T.; Borden, J.; McLean, J.

doi: 10.1007/BF00988181pmid: N/A

In forced feeding bioassays,Pissodes strobi reared from eastern white pine, Engelmann spruce, or Sitka spruce failed to discriminate between these three host species. However, results of choice feeding bioassays suggest that eastern white pine is the ancestral host of the two westernP. strobi populations. Comparative feeding data obtained under conditions of choice support the hypothesis thatP. strobi has dispersed westward across the North American continent, adapting its host selection behavior in turn to Engelmann spruce and then Sitka spruce. WhereasP. strobi reared from eastern white pine preferred to feed on its natural host rather than on the two western spruces,P. strobi reared from Engelmann spruce did not discriminate between eastern white pine and its natural host, Engelmann spruce, but fed significantly more on these two hosts than on Sitka spruce.P. strobi reared from Sitka spruce, on the other hand, fed equally on all three native host species. Our data support the contention of Smith and Sugden (1969) that the two western weevils are eco types ofP. strobi. Comprehensive research on behavioral adaptations to new host species may allow the threeP. strobi populations to be distinguished as legitimate ethospecies.

Rust, Michael; Reierson, Donald

doi: 10.1007/BF00988182pmid: N/A

Nymphs of the western drywood termite,Incisitermes minor (Hagen), were tested for their feeding preferences on wood and extracts of 11 tree species. The amount of wood consumed was inversely proportional to its specific gravity, but methanol extracts of least preferred woods were also least preferred when termites were confined to paper treated with extracts. In choice tests, only paper treated with extract of wood from which the colony developed and untreated and methanol-treated controls were significantly fed upon. Ponderosa pine extract applied to Douglas fir and sugar pine significantly decreased the amount of wood consumed. Resistance to termite feeding appeared to depend on the presence of repellent chemicals in the wood.

Klinger, R.; Maschwitz, U.

doi: 10.1007/BF00988183pmid: N/A

A description is given of the abdominal defensive gland ofEusphalerum longipenne Erichson. Through the aid of GLC and TLC, the two major compounds of its secretion are identified as 3-methyl-butyric acid andtrans-hex-2-enal.

Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis, Maria; Gawienowski, Anthony

doi: 10.1007/BF00988184pmid: N/A

Volatile compounds of the male rat preputial gland extracts were found to containn-aliphatic acetates, by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Female rats preferred the odor of various saturated and unsaturatedn-aliphatic acetates while the male rats were repelled by or indifferent to, most of these compounds. A bioassay apparatus recorded the number of approaches and the investigation time for each animal offered the test compounds. The possibility of aliphatic acetates' involvement as sex attractants produced by the male rat is considered.

Kochansky, J.; Cardé, R.; Taschenberg, E.; Roelofs, W.

doi: 10.1007/BF00988185pmid: N/A

WildAntheraea polyphemus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera:Saturniidae) males were attracted to synthetic pheromone and to laboratory-reared females from 23∶00 (EDT) until dawn. Males were attracted to the synthetic pheromone at a mean time of 01:33 and to the females at 03∶23 (EDT). Synthetic traps accumulated the most males (61 compared to 19 in the female-baited traps), but there was no large difference in catch during the main interval of female attractiveness. Pheromone used in the study was prepared by an improved synthesis that utilizescis-4-nonen-1-yl bromide as a key intermediate.

Gore, W.; Pearce, G.; Lanier, G.; Simeone, J.; Silverstein, R.; Peacock, J.; Cuthbert, R.

doi: 10.1007/BF00988186pmid: N/A

The three components of theScolytus Multistriatus aggregation attractant-4-methyl-3-heptanol (1), α-multistriatin (2), and α-cubebene (3)-were collected from beetles and elm wood by aeration, solvent extraction of host tissue, or solvent extraction of beetles and beetle parts. Bioassays and analysis of extracts demonstrated that (a) compounds 1 and 2 are produced by virgin females and 3 is host-produced, (b) cessation of the production of 1 is coincident with diminished attractiveness of females after they have been joined by males, (c) the release of 3 from elm wood is augmented by attacking beetles, and (d) the level of 3 is related to the condition of the wood, and fungal growth (particularlyceratocystis ulmi) may lead to increased levels of 3. Compound 1 was concentrated in the upper abdominal area and 2 in the abdomen tips, but neither component was in the hindgut. A gland opening through the vaginal palpi (a pair of sclerotized conical structures) was circumstantially associated with the release of 2. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 are regulatory agents that contribute to the initiation and maintenance of the beetle-elm-microorganism biosystem.

Klun, Jerome; Junk, Gregor

doi: 10.1007/BF00988187pmid: N/A

Four C14 straight-chain acetate esters—(Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (E)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, and tetradecyl acetate—were isolated and identified from the diethyl ether extracts of the abdominal tips of adult female European corn borers,Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). The compounds were isolated using a combination of high-resolution gel-permeation, adsorption highpressure liquid, and micropreparative gas chromatography. Identifications were made by gas chromatography, a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and microdegradative chemical methods.

Barnett, Colin

doi: 10.1007/BF00988188pmid: N/A

When placed in aY-maze, the 1–10-day-old free-swimming fry of the Midas cichlid can chemically distinguish between their mother and plain water and between another mother and plain water. They do not distinguish between the two mothers offered together or between their father and plain water. Predation pressures make these responses adaptive.