Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Evidence for a male-produced sex pheromone in the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis

Evidence for a male-produced sex pheromone in the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Thumbnail


Abstract

Olfactometer bioassays of walking adult western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) showed that virgin females (1- to 3-d postemergence) were attracted to the odor of 25 adult males, but not to the odor of 25 adult females, providing behavioral evidence for a male-produced sex pheromone in this species. In contrast to earlier findings, mixed-age adult males were attracted to the odor of adult males. GC analysis of odors collected on SPME fibers revealed two major components and five minor components that were present in the male odor and not in the female odor. The compounds were not present in hexane extracts of males, indicating that these compounds are produced on demand and not stored.

Acceptance Date Sep 21, 2003
Publication Date Jan 1, 2004
Journal Journal of Chemical Ecology
Print ISSN 0098-0331
Publisher Springer Verlag
Pages 167 -174
DOI https://doi.org/10.1023/B%3AJOEC.0000013189.89576.8f
Keywords thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, pheromones, insects, pest control
Publisher URL http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:JOEC.0000013189.89576.8f

Files





Downloadable Citations