[Mevalonolactone: a volatile compound produced by Psammotettix alienus (Dhb)]

The interaction between the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus was investigated in the laboratory. The leafhoppers, when physically separated from aphid but with a common air supply, caused a reduction in aphid offspring production. One of the hypotheses to explain this result is that volatile compounds might be responsible for the effect on the aphid reproduction. To verify this hypothesis, leafhopper static headspace was subjected to GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analyses. An original compound was identified in the leafhopper headspace as mevalonolactone (Mev) and was found to be produced only by adults. This is the first report of Mev released in the headspace of either an insect or living organisms in general. Two other new compounds in insects were also identified in both leafhopper nymphs and adults: 2-(2-hydroxypropoxy)-1-propanol and 3,3'-oxybis-2-butanol.