Responses of the crucifer flea beetle to Brassica volatiles in an olfactometer

A suite of commercially available volatile compounds was tested in an olfactometer bioassay for responses by the crucifer flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae). Flea beetles were inhibited by exposure to hexane, pentane, and ethanol. Allyl-isothiocyanate, a crucifer-specific volatile, was moderately attractive to spring and early fall flea beetles, but inhibitory to late fall flea beetles. Spring flea beetles were most attracted to (+)-sabinene and E-beta-ocimene, and 1-hexanol, 1-pentanol, and Z-3-hexen-1-ol were stronger attractants than allyl-isothiocyanate. Spring beetles were strongly inhibited by (-)-E-caryophyllene, beta-ionone, indole, (+/-)-linalool, (+)-limonene, E-geraniol, and (-)-beta-pinene and moderately inhibited by (-)-verbenene and hexenal. Our study showed that older leaves and flowers of Brassica napus variety AC Excel contained small amounts of beta-ionone, but seedlings did not. beta-Ionone has not been documented previously in B. napus.