Sex Pheromone of the Introduced Pine Sawfly, Diprion similis (Diprionidae), Revisited: No Activity of Earlier Reported Synergists

• Extracts of Diprion similis females were found to contain about 15 ng of the sex pheromone precursor 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol per female. When analysing the extracts after derivatisation with (2S)-2-acetoxypropionyl chloride, we found that the major stereoisomer in the extract was (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol. Also other stereoisomers of 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol were identified in the extract namely, 1% of (2R,3S,7S) , 0.3% (2R,3R,7R) and 0.4% of (2R,3R,7S). An unknown fifth substance showed an identical spectrum to 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol, both in SIM and full scan mode. In field tests in Ontario, Canada, the earlier identified main pheromone component, viz. the propanoate of (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol, was tested alone and in combination with other stereoisomers, earlier reported to be synergistic. In none of the tests were any synergistic effects detected and the threo four-isomer blend was as attractive as the pure main compound. Thus, one of the few examples of a diprionid sawfly using more than one substance in its sex pheromone could not be confirmed. The results also suggest that monitoring programs can use the more easily synthesized threo-blend without losing efficiency.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Annan kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Other Chemistry Topics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Hymenoptera

Symphyta

Semiochemical

Attractant

Chemical analysis

Gas-chromatography

Mass-spectroscopy

Pheromone trap

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