Identification and Attractiveness of a Major Pheromone Component for Nearctic Euschistus spp. Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

1 April 1991

journal article
Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Environmental Entomology

Vol. 20 (2) , 477-483
https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/20.2.477

Abstract

Methyl (2 E ,4 Z )-decadienoate was isolated and identified as the major male-specific volatile of Euschistus conspersus, E. tristigmus, E. servus, E. politus , and E. ictericus . In a sixth species, E. obscurus , this ester is a relatively minor male-specific component, with the major component being tentatively identified as methyl 2,6-dimethyltetradecanoate. Females, males, and nymphs of E. conspersus, E. tristigmus, E. servus , and E. politus were significantly attracted to methyl (2 E ,4 Z )-decadienoate in field tests conducted in California and Maryland. Tests in Maryland also demonstrated that parasitic tachinid flies use the Euschistus unsaturated methyl-ester as a host-finding kairomone. It is not yet clear what role minor volatile components of Euschistus play in reproductive isolation.

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