M. M. Blight, N. C. Henderson, L. Wadhams
1983
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0
Influential Citations
12
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Insect Biochemistry
Abstract
Abstract The identification of (4S)-4-methyl-3-heptanone among the volatiles produced when male Scolytus scolytus bore into four species of Ulmus is described. The quantity of 4-methyl-3-heptanone found in extracts of volatiles was 12–32% of the total amount of 4-methyl-3-heptanol present. From gas chromatographic analysis and a coupled gas chromatography-single cell recording technique, evidence was also obtained for the production of 4-methyl-3-heptanone by female S. multistriatus boring in two Ulmus species. These are the first reports of 4-methyl-3-heptanone from the order Coleoptera. Electrophysiological studies (electroantennogram and single cell recordings) and a laboratory walking bioassay indicated that (±)-4-methyl-3-heptanone is biologically active towards S. scolytus . Eleven per cent of the olfactory cells recorded from the antennae of male and female S. scolytus responded preferentially to (±)-4-methyl-3-heptanone at low stimulus concentrations. In the laboratory bioassay, addition of specific concentrations of this substance to a mixture of 4-methyl-3-heptanol and (−)-α-cubebene modified the type of response given by both sexes, but a significant increase in the overall response was shown only by female beetles.