(-)-Germacrene D Increases Attraction and Oviposition by the TobaccoBudworm Moth Heliothis virescens

The sesquiterpene germacrene D (GD) activates a major type of olfactory receptor neuron on the antennae of the heliothine moths. In Heliothis virescens females, 80% of the recordings have shown activity of one neuron type responding with high sensitivity and selectivity to GD. With the aim of determ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical senses 2002-07, Vol.27 (6), p.505-509
Main Authors: Mozuraitis, R., Stranden, M., Ramirez, M.I., Borg-Karlson, A.-K., Mustaparta, H.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The sesquiterpene germacrene D (GD) activates a major type of olfactory receptor neuron on the antennae of the heliothine moths. In Heliothis virescens females, 80% of the recordings have shown activity of one neuron type responding with high sensitivity and selectivity to GD. With the aim of determining the behavioural significance of this sesquiterpene, we have used a two-choice wind-tunnel to study the preference of mated H. virescens females for host plants with and without (-)-GD added. Tobacco plants containing dispensers with low release rate of (-)-GD had a greater attractiveness than tobacco plants without this substance. In addition, a significant increase of oviposition was found on the plants with (-)-GD.
ISSN:0379-864X
1464-3553
DOI:10.1093/chemse/27.6.505