Identification of Volatile Emissions from Platypus mutatus (=sulcatus) (Coleoptera: Platypodidae) and Their Behavioral Activity

Abstract

We report here the identification and biological activity of volatile compounds emitted by male Platypus mutatus (=sulcatus) Chapuis while boring galleries in living Poplar (Populus deltoides) trees. Headspace analysis using SPME (Solid Phase Microextraction) techniques showed the presence of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol (sulcatol) and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone). Only one enantiomer of sulcatol, retusol, was found to be part of the volatile emission. Behavioral assays showed that females are more attracted than males to galleries with boring males inside. Both sulcatol and sulcatone elicited electroantennographical responses by female P. mutatus. Furthermore, behavioral bioassays showed that both sulcatol and sulcatone elicit behaviorally attractive response by females. These results suggest that male P. mutatus releases a sexual pheromone composed mainly of retusol and sulcatone.