Pheromones and kairomones for control of pest insects. Some current
results from a Swedish research program*
Torbjörn Norin
Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Royal Institute
of Technology, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract: Some recent results from a research program dealing
with the isolation, identification, and synthesis of biologically active
compounds for applications in agriculture and forestry will be reported.
The solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) technique has been successfully
used for identification of the main sex pheromone components of Cydia
and Bonagota species (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae). Synthesis of a series
of dodecadienols, tetradecadienols, and their corresponding aldehydes
and acetates have been performed to be used for testing inhibitory and
synergistic effects on pest insects of these species. Behaviorally active
volatile compounds emitted from aphids and aphid-infested plants have
been identified by SPME-technique, synthesized, and used in olfactometer
tests. Methyl salicylate is shown to act in interplant communication
released by plants infested by insects. In the presence of the compound,
the colonization density of aphids in crop is reduced. Methyl salicylate
is a common multifunctional compound, which is active in several biological
systems. The action of this compound as an anti-aphrodisiac will be
presented. The compound is transferred at mating from the male pierid
butterfly Pieris napi to the female and makes the female unattractive
for mating.
*Lecture presented at the 22nd IUPAC International
Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products, São Carlos, Brazil,
3-8 September 2000. Other presentations are published in this issue,
pp. 549-626.