COMPOSITION OF THE FLORAL ODOR OF CUCURBITA-MAXIMA DUCHESNE (CUCURBITACEAE)

The flora volatiles from two cultivars of cucurbita maxima Duchesne (squash) have been identified by vacuum steam distillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Spectral data were obtained for 31 major components, and the structures of 22 of these were verified by comparison with authentic standards. The mixtures are comprised of low molecular weight aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, indole, and aromatic alcohols, aldehydes, and methyl ethers. The aromatics are similar to known attractants of cucurbit-feeding beetles in the chrysomelid genus Dabrotica (corn rootworms and cucumber beetles), and indole has previously been determined to be an attractant of these insects.