Hero Turned Villain: Identification of Components of the Sex Pheromone of the Tomato Bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis

Abstract Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a tropical mirid bug used as biocontrol agent in protected crops, including tomatoes. Although N. predates important insect pests, especially whitefly, it also causes damage by feeding on tomato plants when prey populations decline, resulting significant economic losses for growers. The pest now established some all-year-round crops Europe and control measures involve the application of pesticides which are incompatible with current IPM programs. As part future strategies, pheromone was investigated. Volatile collections were made from groups individuals mated unmated, females males. In analyses these gas chromatography coupled electroantennographic (EAG) recording antennae male bugs, two EAG-active components detected identified 1-octanol octyl hexanoate. Unlike other mirids, both female produced compounds, before after mating, sexes gave EAG responses to compounds. Furthermore, only hexanoate whole body solvent washes sexes. These compounds not related derivatives 3-hydroxybutyrate esters found members Bryocrinae sub-family, latter could be volatiles did elicit responses. Nevertheless, experiments carried out commercial glasshouses showed that traps baited blend synthetic caught essentially , significantly more than alone. unbaited generally very few bugs. Traps at plant height males 1 m above or base plants. trap catches provided an indication population levels greatly reduced following insecticide.