CONSTITUENTS OF A COTTON BUD - FORMULATION OF A BOLL WEEVIL FEEDING STIMULANT MIXTURE

Highly active feeding (puncturing) stimulant mixtures were formulated for the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) from known cotton constituents, common metabolites, and compounds inducing primary mammalian sensations of taste and odor. Of 286 compounds bioassayed individually, 52 elicited substantial activity, and 14 of these had previously been reported in cotton. The insect was found to express preference for sweet, sour, and cooling taste properties, but odor preferences were difficult to establish. Compatability of the individually active components was necessary for formulation of active mixtures. An 8-component mixture of β-sitosterol, 15-pentadecanolide (15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid ξ-lactone), 1,8-cineole (1,8-epoxy-p-methane), N,N-dimethylaniline, vanillin, mannitol, rhamnose, and 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, was superior to cottonseed oil and competitive with aqueous bud extract baits. © 1968, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.