Sex pheromone of orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana

• DOI: 10.1007/s001140050757
• Publication Date: 2002-10-06T09:09:31Z
• Authors: Regine Gries; G. Gries; Grigori Khaskin; Skip King; Owen Olfert; Lori-Ann Kaminski; Robert Lamb; Robb Bennett
• Keywords: Cecidomyiidae; Electroantennography

Pheromone extract of the female orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (SM) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), was analyzed by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS), employing fused silica columns coated with DB-5, DB-210, DB-23 or SP-1000. These analyses revealed a single, EAD-active candidate pheromone which was identified as 2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate. In experiments in wheat fields in Saskatchewan, traps baited with (2S,7S)-2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate attracted significant numbers of male SM. The presence of other stereoisomers did not adversely affect trap captures. Facile synthesis of stereoisomeric 2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate will facilitate the development of pheromone-based monitoring or even control of SM populations.