Sex pheromone of citrus trunk borer (Anoplophora versteegi) (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae) - A new finding

Abstract

The highest numbers of male citrus trunk borer beetle (84.21%) were attracted toward the female abdomen in olfactometric bioassay. The higher EAG response of male antennae to abdominal extract of female beetles confirmed the presence of pheromone on abdominal part of female beetles. Fourteen hydrocarbons were common in body wash of both sexes. The concentrations of tetradecane, hexadecane, eicosane, hexacosane and pentacosane on abdominal extract of adult female were much higher in comparison to the male body wash, which played an important role for the attraction of male beetles. Heptadecane, octadecane and dodecane present in female beetles was absent in male. These studies confirmed the presence of the sex pheromone in the female abdomen.

Keywords

• Citrus trunk borer
• Electroentennogram
• Gas Chromatograph
• Olfactometer
• Pheromone
• Saturated hydrocarbons.