(2R,3S)-2,3-octanediol, a female-produced sex pheromone of megopis costipennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae)

Jacob D. Wickham, Jocelyn G. Millar, Lawrence M Hanks, Yunfan Zou, Joseph C.H. Wong, Rhett D. Harrison, Yi Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

During field screening trials of a number of known cerambycid pheromones in China, males of Megopis costipennis (White) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae: Callipogonini) were found to be specifically attracted to racemic anti-2,3-octanediol, suggesting that one of the enantiomers of this compound might be a female-produced sex pheromone of this species. Analysis of volatiles produced by beetles of both sexes confirmed this hypothesis: females produced (2R,3S)-2,3-octanediol, whereas males did not, and in coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection analyses, antennae from male beetles responded strongly to this compound. In field trials, males were equally attracted to traps baited with either (2R,3S)-2,3-octanediol or racemic anti-2,3-octanediol, indicating that the enantiomeric (2S,3R)-2,3-octanediol does not antagonize attraction to the naturally produced enantiomer. Thus, the more economical racemic anti-2,3-octanediol can be used for trap baits for this species. Homologous 2,3-hexanediols previously had been identified as sex pheromones or sex attractants of prionine species in the genus Tragosoma Audinet-Serville of the tribe Meroscelisini.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)223-228
Number of pages6
JournalEnvironmental entomology
Volume45
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2016

Keywords

  • Megopis
  • longhorned beetle
  • monitoring
  • woodborer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology
  • Insect Science

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