Chemical Composition ofAlphitobius diaperinus(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Abdominal Glands and the Influence of 1,4-benzoquinones on its Behavior

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and quantify the compounds present in the abdominal glands of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and to evaluate the influence of these compounds on its behavior. The extraction of volatiles present in the abdominal glands was made by dissection (10 individuals per sex) and by air entrainment (200 insects per sex), and they were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, and gas chromatograph-electroantennography detector (GC-EAD). The influence of these volatiles on the behavior of conspecifics was evaluated in a four-arm olfactometer. Twenty-three compounds were identified from male and female abdominal gland extracts, of which six were quinones: the 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and the 2-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone were the major components, and 1,4 benzoquinone and three hydroquinones were registered for the first time for this species. The GC-EAD analysis using the crude extracts from abdominal glands showed that male and female antennae responded to the three major benzoquinones. For the olfactometer bioassays, both genders were repelled either by the abdominal gland extracts or by synthetic solutions containing the three benzoquinones. The results suggest that the 1,4-benzoquinones play a role as a repellent to A. diaperinus.

Development of pull and push–pull systems for management of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus, in poultry houses using alarm and aggregation pheromones

“…2‐Nonanone (99%) was provided by Jeffrey R. Aldrich Consulting LLC (Santa Cruz, CA, USA). 2‐Ethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone (98%), ( E )‐ocimene (98%), ( S )‐linalool (98%), ( R )‐daucene (87%) and ( E , E )‐α‐farnesene (> 95%) were synthesized in the laboratory as described previously …”

“…A solution with ( R )‐limonene 230 µg, ( E )‐ocimene 160 µg, 2‐nonanone 40 µg, ( S )‐linalool 260 µg, ( R )‐daucene 80 µg and ( E , E )‐α‐farnesene 230 µg in hexane (200 µL) was prepared and used. The alarm pheromone was formulated in the same proportions produced by A. diaperinus in their abdominal glands, i.e. 1 µg 1,4‐benzoquinone, 249 µg 2‐methyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone and 750 µg 2‐ethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone were diluted in diethyl ether (200 µL) and added to a septum.…”

“…One microlitre of each selected sample was injected in splitless mode; the injector temperature was 250 °C. Compounds were quantified by comparing GC peak areas with the peak area of the internal standard, ( E )‐caryophyllene, prepared at a final concentration of 20 µg mL −1 …”

“…Recently, we identified three benzoquinones, i.e. 1,4‐benzoquinone, 2‐methyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone and 2‐ethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone, as alarm pheromone components from the abdominal glands of Brazilian male and female A. diaperinus . Furthermore, we also recently identified a male‐produced aggregation pheromone for Brazilian A. diaperinus as a six‐component blend comprising ( R )‐limonene, 2‐nonanone, ( E )‐ocimene, ( S )‐linalool, ( R )‐daucene and ( E , E )‐α‐farnesene .…”

“…In recent years, several alternative methods for lesser mealworm control have been proposed, with the aim of minimizing the use of insecticides and enhancing the quality of the food that is being produced . Semiochemicals, mainly pheromones, have been suggested for use in monitoring and controlling A. diaperinus in poultry houses . Recently, we identified three benzoquinones, i.e.…”