IDENTIFICATION AND ATTRACTIVENESS OF A MAJOR PHEROMONE COMPONENT FOR NEARCTIC EUSCHISTUS SPP STINK BUGS (HETEROPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE)

Methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate was isolated and identified as the major male-specific volatile of Euschistus conspersus, E. tristigmus, E. servus, E. politus, and E. ictericus. In a sixth species, E. obscurus, this ester is a relatively minor male-specific component, with the major component being tentatively identified as methyl 2,6-dimethyltetradecanoate. Females, males, and nymphs of E. conspersus, E. tristigmus, E. servus, and E. politus were significantly attracted to methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate in field tests conducted in California and Maryland. Tests in Maryland also demonstrated that parasitic tachinid flies use the Euschistus unsaturated methyl-ester as a host-finding kairomone. It is not yet clear what role minor volatile components of Euschistus play in reproductive isolation.