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Aggregation pheromone for the pepper weevil,Anthonomus eugenii cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Identification and field activity

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Abstract

This study describes the identification of an aggregation pheromone for the pepper weevil,Anthonomus eugenii and field trials of a synthetic pheromone blend. Volatile collections and gas chromatography revealed the presence of six male-specific compounds. These compounds were identified using chromatographic and spectral techniques as: (Z)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)ethanol, (E)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)ethanol, (Z)-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)acetaldehyde, (E)-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)acetaldehyde, (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienoic acid (geranic acid), and (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol (geraniol). The emission rates of these compounds from feeding males were determined to be about: 7.2, 4.8, 0.45, 0.30, 2.0, and 0.30µg/male/day, respectively. Sticky traps baited with a synthetic blend of these compounds captured more pepper weevils (both sexes) than did unbaited control traps or pheromone-baited boll weevil traps. Commercial and laboratory formulations of the synthetic pheromone were both attractive. However, the commercial formulation did not release geranic acid properly, and geranic acid is necessary for full activity. The pheromones of the pepper weevil and the boll weevil are compared. Improvements for increasing trap efficiency and possible uses for the pepper weevil pheromone are discussed. A convenient method for purifying geranic acid is also described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioactive Constituents Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA/ARS/MWA, 1815 North University Street, 61604, Peoria, Illinois

    Fred J. Eller, Robert J. Bartelt & Baruch S. Shasha

  2. Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, University of Florida/IFAS, 5007-60th Street East, 34203, Bradenton, Florida

    David J. Schuster

  3. Texas Agriculture Experiment Station, 2415 East Highway 83, 78596, Weslaco, Texas

    David G. Riley

  4. Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, University of Florida/IFAS, P.O. Drawer 5127, 33934, Immokalee, Florida

    Philip A. Stansly

  5. Collier Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 400, 33934, Immokalee, Florida

    Thomas F. Mueller

  6. Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service, 559 N. Military Trail, 33415-1311, West Palm Beach, Florida

    Kenneth D. Shuler

  7. Advanced Ag, Inc., 16393 E. Grand National Drive, 33470, Loxahatchee, Florida

    Bruce Johnson

  8. New Mexico Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 30005, 88003, Las Cruces, New Mexico

    James H. Davis & Carol A. Sutherland

Authors
  1. Fred J. Eller
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  2. Robert J. Bartelt
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  4. David J. Schuster
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  5. David G. Riley
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  7. Thomas F. Mueller
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  8. Kenneth D. Shuler
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  9. Bruce Johnson
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The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned. All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap.

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Eller, F.J., Bartelt, R.J., Shasha, B.S. et al. Aggregation pheromone for the pepper weevil,Anthonomus eugenii cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Identification and field activity. J Chem Ecol 20, 1537–1555 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02059879

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02059879

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