Abstract
Analysis of single cornicle droplets from six species of aphid showed the presence of volatile components in addition to (E)-β-farnesene. Compounds identified included (Z,E)-α- and (E,E)-α-farnesene forMyzus persicae and α- and β-pinene forMegoura viciae. WithMegoura viciae, (−)-α-pinene was most important for alarm activity. The major component of the alarm pheromone ofPhorodon humuli was (E)-β-farnesene even though farnesenes are present in the summer hostHumulus lupulus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anet, E.F.L.J. 1970. Synthesis of (E,Z)-α-, (Z,Z)-α and (Z)-β-farnesene.Aust. J. Chem. 23:2101–2108.
Bowers, W.S., Nault, L.R., Webb, R.E., andDutky, S.R. 1972. Aphid alarm pheromone: Isolation, identification, synthesis.Science 177:1121–1122.
Bowers, W.S., Nishino, C., Montgomery, M.E., andNault, L.R. 1977. Structure-activity relationships of analogs of the aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene.J. Insect Physiol. 23:697–701.
Burger, B.V., Le Roux, M., Spies, H.S.C., andTruter, V. 1978. Mammalian pheromone studies—III. (E,E)-7,11,15-Trimethyl-3-methylenehexadeca-1,6,10,14-tetraene, a newditerpene analogue of β-farnesene from the dorsal gland of the springbok,Antidorcus marsupialis.Tetrahedron Lett. 52:5221–5224.
Edwards, L.J., Siddall, J.B., Dunham, L.L., Uden, P., andKislow, C.J. 1973. Trans-β-farnesene, alarm pheromone of the green peach aphidMyzus persicae Sulzer.Nature (London) 241:126–127.
Kjaer, A., Ohashi, M., Wilson, J.M., andDjerassi, C. 1963. Mass spectra of isothiocyanates.Acta Chem. Scand. 17:2143–2154.
Mass Spectrometry Data Centre. 1975.Eight Peak Index of Mass Spectra, 2nd ed. Reading, U.K.
Murray, K.E. 1969. α-Farnesene: Isolation from the natural coating of apples.Aust. J. Chem. 22:197–204.
Nishino, C., Bowers, W.S., Montgomery, M.E., Nault, L.R., andNielson, M.W. 1977. Alarm pheromone of the spotted alfalfa aphid,Therioaphis maculata Buckton (Homoptera: Aphididae).J. Chem. Ecol. 3:349–357.
Ryhage, R., andvon Sydow, E. 1963. Mass spectrometry of terpenes I. Monoterpene hydrocarbons.Acta Chem. Scand. 17:2025–2035.
Sorm, F., Mlezira, J., Arnold, Z., andPliva, J. 1949. On terpenes XIII. On the sesquiterpenes from the essential oil of hops.Czech. Chem. Commun. 14:699.
Tressl, R., andFriese, L. 1978. Gaschromatographisch-massenspektrometrische Untersuchung der Aromastoffe von Spalter Hopfen.Z. Lefensm. Unters. Forsch. 166:350–354.
Wientjens, W.H.J.M., Lakwijk, A.C., andvan der Marel, T. 1973. Alarm pheromone of grain aphids.Experientia 29:658–660.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pickett, J.A., Griffiths, D.C. Composition of aphid alarm pheromones. J Chem Ecol 6, 349–360 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402913
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402913