Mealybug sex pheromones

Two pheromonal components were detected in airborne collections from the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera Pseudococci dae) in Israel. They were identified as (5 )-lavandulyl senecioate (1) and (5)-lavandulyl isovalerate (II). Compound I has been identified as the sex pheromone of P. ficus in California. The report shows that feral P. ficus mealybugs produce and respond only to (I) whereas mealybugs reared in the laboratory on potato sprouts produce and respond to both (I) and (II). 

The sex pheromone component of the citrus mealybug. Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (Homoptera Pseudococcidae), was identified as... 

Enantioselective syntheses of four different stereoisomers of the major component of the sex pheromone of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, maconelliyl... 

It is rather difficult to convert carboxylic acids to decarboxylative alcohols. However, treatment of O-acyl esters (2) in the presence of Sb(SPh)3 and molecular oxygen, followed by hydrolysis, generates the corresponding decarboxylative alcohols. Eq. 8.11 shows the preparation of a sex pheromone of the citrus mealybug from (+ )-ds-pinonic acid [30-32]. When 1802 instead of 1602, is used in this reaction, 180-alcohols can be obtained. 

A cyclobutanemethyl acetate, cfr-planococcyl acetate (297, R = CH2OAC), was claimed as a constituent of the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri, Risso) sex pheromone, and was prepared by photolysis of (+ )-cw-verbanone (298) followed by reduction and acetylation of the product 297 (R = CHO). The compound shown is the ( + )-(l/ )-cfr-isomer the trans- and (-)-isomers were... 

Bierl-Leonhardt, B. A., Moreno, D. S., Schwarz, M., Fargerlund, J. and Plimmer, J. R. (1981) Isolation, identification, and synthesis of the sex pheromone of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso). Tetrahedron Leters, 22, 389-92. 

Abstract— The sex pheromone of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus has been identified as a single component, (5)-lavandulyl senecioate 2a. Males were equally attracted to either (S)-2a or racemic 2a, indicating that the unnatural enantiomer does not inhibit male behavioral responses. 

Our overall project goal was to identify and develop pheromones that could be exploited for the management of the four major mealybug pests in California vineyards. We report here the identification, synthesis, and results of field tests of the sex pheromone of the vine mealybug. Within the space of two years, the pheromone-baited traps have become the cornerstone of methods of monitoring this pest in California, and they are also being developed for sale and use in Sonih Africa, the Middle East, and South America. 

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