ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Aphid parasitoid
;
aphid sex pheromone
;
kairomone
;
stereochemistry
;
(4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone
;
wind tunnel
;
trap plant
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The responses of aphid parasitoids to completely synthetic and plant-extracted nepetalactone, a component of aphid sex pheromones, were investigated. In wind tunnel tests, Praon volucre and Aphidius ervi responded equally strongly to both plant-extracted and 99% pure synthetic (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone. In the field, aphid-infested cereal trap plants were used to test the attractiveness of plant-extracted and synthetic (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone, as well as the synthetic enantiomer (4aR,7R,7aS)-nepetalactone. There was no significant difference in parasitisation levels by Praon spp. between plants baited with the synthetic or with the plant-extracted 7S isomers. However, the 7R isomer was unattractive alone and rendered the synthetic 7S isomer unattractive when combined to form a 50% blend of the two. It is concluded that the response of aphid parasitoids to nepetalactone is influenced more by enantiomeric purity rather than the possible presence of plant-related contaminants associated with plant extraction. The results are compared with data on male aphid responses to the compounds, which indicate that plant-derived contaminants can reduce attractancy, and the implications for the manipulation of parasitoids in the field are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1020872412891
