1-Octen-3-ol, attractive semiochemical for foreign grain beetle,Ahasverus advena (Waltl) (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

Volatiles were captured on Porapak Q from foreign grain beetles,Ahasverus advena (Waltl), feeding on rolled oats at various population densities. At low population density, males, females, and mixed-sex beetles four to six weeks posteclosion and older produced 1-octen-3-ol. Mixed-sex beetles emitted almost pure (R)-(-) enantiomer. Weekly production rates of 1-octen-3-ol by males were at least four times greater than those of females. Production of 1-octen-3-ol was barely detectable in volatiles from mixed-sex adults maintained at the highest population density. Laboratory bioassays in a two-choice, pitfall olfactometer modified to retain responding beetles revealed that 1-octen-3-ol serves as an aggregation pheromone forA. advena. Both racemic and chiral 1-octen-3-ols were good attractants for mixed-sex adults in the pitfall olfactometer.