Male-Specific Volatiles of the Big Avocado Seed Weevil Heilipus lauri

What is it about?

The big avocado seed weevil, Heilipus lauri Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most significant pests of avocado in Colombia and other countries, such as Mexico. The volatile compounds produced by males and females were collected by headspace (HS)-solid phase microextraction (SPME) and dynamic headspace collection (DHS) on a sorbent. Comparative analysis of these volatile compounds was performed using gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detector (FID) and GC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Four male-specific compounds were identified as grandisol, papayanol, papayanal and grandisal in a ratio of 94.8:3.0:1.8:0.4. Our results may help in integrated pest management by using these semiochemicals for trapping and controlling population of this species.

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