Behavioral correlates for minor volatile compounds from stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
Aldrich, J.R.; Rosi, M.C.; Bin, F.
Journal of Chemical Ecology 21(12): 1907-1920
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-0331 PMID: 24233895 DOI: 10.1007/bf02033851
Accession: 002763473
Many terrestrial Heteroptera have small, but functional, dorsal abdominal glands as adults. The chemistry, and associated intra- and inter-specific behavior, for dorsal abdominal gland secretions from 10 species representing four genera of Pentatomidae was investigated. Eighteen volatile compounds were identified in species-specific blends from the dorsal abdominal gland secretions ofEuschistus, Acrosternum, andEurydema adults, including aliphatic, aromatic, and terpenoid constituents. Evidence from bioassays is presented that parasitic Tachinidae (Diptera) and Scelionidae (Hymenoptera) use these secretions as kairomones. A field experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that minor volatiles increase the specificity of the main pheromone component from NearcticEuschistus species, methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate. However, significantly fewer individuals ofE. tristigmus were captured in traps baited with the complete blend for this species than in traps baited with methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate alone. Thus, at the concentrations tested, these kinds of dorsal abdominal gland secretions may be epideictic, promoting spacing in the natural habitat.
