Identification and field evaluation of the sex pheromone of Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae) in China

Abstract

BACKGROUND The plant bug, Apolygus lucorum Meyer‐Dür, has begun a resurgence and has become a key pest in cotton in northern China, with the wide‐scale adoption of transgenic Bt cotton. We attempted to develop a new approach to the control of this plant bug by identifying and utilizing its sex pheromone. RESULTS Extracts from A. lucorum adults and nymphs were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography–electroantennogram detection (GC–EAD) to identify the sex pheromone components. (E)‐4‐Oxo‐2‐hexenal and (E)‐2‐hexenyl butyrate were the major sex pheromone components from females and were also electrophysiology‐active towards male antennae. For males, (E)‐4‐oxo‐2‐hexenal and hexyl butyrate were the major sex pheromone components. These three components, however, were not detected in nymphs. Field tests showed that binary blends of (E)‐4‐oxo‐2‐hexenal and (E)‐2‐hexenyl butyrate at a ratio of 3:2 resulted in trapping the greatest numbers of A. lucorum males. A long‐term dispenser was developed by loading the pheromone components dissolved in sunflower oil into polyethylene vials. Further field evaluation showed that the polyethylene dispensers attracted significantly more bugs even when deployed in the field for 5 weeks. CONCLUSION We identified the sex pheromone of A. lucorum and developed a type of high‐efficiency and long‐term lure. Our results could expand knowledge of the pheromones of plant bugs, and provide novel technologies to monitor and control this pest. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Optimization and field demonstration of the Lygus pratensis (Hemiptera: Miridae) sex pheromone

“…An EAG apparatus (Syntech Ltd., Buchenbach, Germany), composed of CS‐55 stimulus controller, IDAC‐4 interface box and electrode probe, was used to evaluate the antennal response of virgin L. pratensis males to different effluent compounds. Antennae were prepared following protocols outlined in Zhang et al 18 . For gas chromatography, nitrogen carrier gas was used at 1 mL min −1 ; the oven temperature initiated at 50 °C (1 min), then increased at 5 °C min −1 to 120 °C (2 min), and subsequently increased at 10 °C min −1 to 230 °C (5 min).…”

“…To date, sex pheromones have been identified for ~ 30 plant bug species, 18 including four Lygus species: L. lineolaris , L. hesperus , L. rugulipennis and L. pratensis 4,19‐23 . For these species, sex pheromones are commonly composed of aldehydes and either saturated or unsaturated esters, with ( E )‐4‐Oxo‐2‐hexenal (4‐OHE), hexyl butyrate (HB) and ( E )‐2‐hexenyl butyrate (E2HB) frequently reported 17,18 . In L. pratensis , females release sex pheromone to attract males 4,18,24,25 .…”

“…Female sex pheromones are involved in plant bug mate finding, thus providing ample opportunities for pheromone‐based monitoring 17 . To date, sex pheromones have been identified for ~ 30 plant bug species, 18 including four Lygus species: L. lineolaris , L. hesperus , L. rugulipennis and L. pratensis 4,19‐23 . For these species, sex pheromones are commonly composed of aldehydes and either saturated or unsaturated esters, with ( E )‐4‐Oxo‐2‐hexenal (4‐OHE), hexyl butyrate (HB) and ( E )‐2‐hexenyl butyrate (E2HB) frequently reported 17,18 .…”

“…For these species, sex pheromones are commonly composed of aldehydes and either saturated or unsaturated esters, with ( E )‐4‐Oxo‐2‐hexenal (4‐OHE), hexyl butyrate (HB) and ( E )‐2‐hexenyl butyrate (E2HB) frequently reported 17,18 . In L. pratensis , females release sex pheromone to attract males 4,18,24,25 . Although males of L. pratensis are attracted to synthetic blends of 4‐OHE, HB and E2HB (24:100:25), relatively small numbers of males are trapped (fewer than individuals/week) 4 .…”

Landscape Effects on the Abundance of Apolygus lucorum in Cotton Fields

“…Bucket traps (Pherobio Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) baited with a commercial pheromone lure (Pherobio Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) were used for trapping. The primary components of the sex pheromone were 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal and trans-2-hexenyl butyrate [28,29]. We added some water and detergent to each bucket to prevent the escape of A. lucorum adults.…”