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Sex Pheromone of the Cranberry Root Grub Lichnanthe vulpina.

Robbins PS, Zhang A, Averill AL, Linn CE, Roelofs WL, Sylvia MM, Villani MG

Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA, psr1@cornell.edu.

The cranberry root grub Lichnanthe vulpina (Hentz) (Coleoptera: Glaphyridae) is a pest of cranberries in Massachusetts, reducing yield and vine density. (Z)-7-Hexadecenol and (Z)-7-hexadecenal were identified from the female effluvia collection by gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The double-bond position was confirmed by dimethyl disulfide derivatization. Both compounds were tested in the field, each alone and as blends of the two. Each compound alone captured males; however, (Z)-7-hexadecenol alone captured significantly more males than did (Z)-7-hexadecenal alone. The addition of varying amounts of (Z)-7-hexadecenal to (Z)-7-hexadecenol did not statistically affect male capture. Flight activity of the cranberry root grub may be monitored with traps baited with rubber septa containing 300 mug of (Z)-7-hexadecenol. A test of trap vane colors indicated that traps with green or black vanes maximized target male catch while minimizing nontarget catch of important cranberry pollinators.

Published 10 August 2006 in J Chem Ecol, 32(8): 1663-72.
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