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Identification and bioactivity of alarm pheromone in the western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis

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Abstract

Analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectroscopy disclosed that droplets of anal fluid produced by second-instar western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), contain a two-component alarm pheromone, comprised of decyl acetate and dodecyl acetate, in a molar ratio of approximately 1.5∶1. Both nymphs and adults responded to the pheromone by walking away from the source. The synthetic pheromone was active at a concentration of 1.0 ng, and the proportions of insects responding to the pheromone, but not the distances moved, increased with increasing dose. Each component was active alone, although at low doses, the response to decyl acetate was less than to either dodecyl acetate or the blend. The pheromone also induced some second instars to drop from leaves and reduced oviposition by adult females in both two-choice and nochoice experiments. Because the response of western flower thrips to the alarm pheromone is relatively weak, the potential for its use in pest management is limited, unless it is used in conjunction with other control measures.

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Author notes

  1. C. R. Teerling

    Present address: Department of Forest Resources, University of New Brunswick, E3B 6C2, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Pest Management, Canada

    C. R. Teerling & J. H. Borden

  2. Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

    H. D. Pierce Jr.

  3. Agriculture Canada Research Station, VOM 1A0, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada

    D. R. Gillespie

Authors
  1. C. R. Teerling
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  2. H. D. Pierce Jr.
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  3. J. H. Borden
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  4. D. R. Gillespie
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Teerling, C.R., Pierce, H.D., Borden, J.H. et al. Identification and bioactivity of alarm pheromone in the western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis . J Chem Ecol 19, 681–697 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985001

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985001

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