Bark Beetle Conversion of a Plant Compound to a Sex-Specific Inhibitor of Pheromone Attraction

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Abstract
Both sexes of the bark beetle Dendroctonus brevicomis convert the (+) and (–) enantiomers of the tree terpene α-pinene to the corresponding enantiomers of trans-verbenol at about equal rates. (–)-trans-Verbenol inhibited the response of females, but not of males, to a mixture of attractive pheromone components. Since the female initiates the attack on a pine tree, (–)-trans-verbenol may play a role in reducing intraspecific competition for breeding areas.