Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
06:49
Author Spotlight: Examining Volatile Sex Pheromone Influence on Male C. elegans Behavior
Published on: August 9, 2024
2.6K
Male-produced aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus mutilatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
R J Bartelt1, D G Carlson, R S Vetter
1USDA Agricultural Research Service National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Bioactive Constituents Research Group, 1815 N. University St., 61604, Peoria, Illinois.
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|November 20, 2013
Summary
Carpophilus mutilatus males emit an aggregation pheromone. This pheromone, combined with food attractants, dramatically increases trap effectiveness for controlling these agricultural pests.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Ecology
- Insect Behavior
- Pest Management
Background:
- Carpophilus mutilatus Erichson is an agricultural pest.
- Males of this species produce an aggregation pheromone that attracts both sexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the components of the aggregation pheromone produced by Carpophilus mutilatus males.
- To evaluate the synergistic effects of pheromone components with food attractants for pest control.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) was used to identify volatile compounds.
- Wind-tunnel bioassays were conducted to test the attractiveness of synthetic pheromone components.
- Field trapping experiments were performed using synthetic pheromones and food attractants.
Main Results:
- Two hydrocarbon components, (3E,5E,7E)-5-ethyl-7-methyl-3,5,7-undecatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-6-ethyl-4-methyl-3,5,7-decatriene, were identified as the aggregation pheromone.
- Individually, the pheromone components showed moderate attractiveness, but no synergism was observed between them.
- A significant synergistic effect was observed in the field when synthetic pheromones were combined with fermenting whole-wheat bread dough, increasing trap captures by 22-fold compared to dough alone.
Conclusions:
- The identified hydrocarbon blend functions as an aggregation pheromone for Carpophilus mutilatus.
- Combining synthetic pheromones with food-based attractants offers a highly effective strategy for monitoring and controlling Carpophilus mutilatus populations.
