American palm weevil

Some plant volatiles act synergistically with aggregation pheromones. Aggregation of the American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum, on host plants is mediated by host-plant volatiles and a male pheromone (rhynchophorol).60 Acetoin, one of the major volatile components of the host plants Cocos nucifera, Saccharum officinarum, Jacaratia spp., and Elaeis spp., plays an important role in the aggregation of weevils on these plants. Although the pheromone alone is weakly attractive, its attraction is enhanced by acetoin. 

Some esters of long-chain saturated fatty acids are aggregation pheromone beetles. The ethanol-ester of 4-methyloctanoic acid is, for instance, a commercialized aggregation pheromone (Oryctalure ) used to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) (Morin et al., 1996). American palm weevil (Rhynchphorus palmarum) is attracted by the aggregation pheromone 6-methyl-2-hepten-4-ol. The pheromone has been tried for control of the weevil and is sold under the names Rhyncopherol and Rhynkolure . 

ROCHAT, D., MEILLOUR, P.N.-L., ESTEBAN-DURAN, J.R., MALOSSE, C., PERTHUS, B., MORIN, J.P., DESCOINS, C., Identification of pheromone synergists in american palm weevil, Rhyncophorus palmarum, and attraction of related Dynamis borassi, J. Chem. EcoL, 2000, 26, 155-187. PIKIELNY, C.W., HASAN, G., ROUYER, F., ROSBACH, M., Members of a family of Drosophila putative odorant-binding proteins are expressed in different subsets of olfactory hairs. Neuron, 1994,12, 35-49. 

Lipase A (Amano, from Aspergillus sp.) was employed for the asymmetric hydrolysis of ( )-34 to give (S)-35, which was converted to the pheromone of the American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum (Figure 24.18) [21]. 

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