Planococcus citri

In 1980, we reported the structure of the Comstock mealybug, Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana), pheromone as 2,6-dimethyl-l,5-heptadien-3-ol acetate (24, 25) and in 1981, we identified the pheromone of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso), as (lR-cis)-(+)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(l-methylethenyl)cyclobutanemethanol acetate (26). Both of these pheromones have been synthesized and are currently being used as baits in monitor traps in California and Texas. These compounds are more volatile than the pheromones for most other insects and therefore formulations for controlled release need to be modified from those described earlier. 

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. 

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