Spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) is attracted to vittatalactone, the pheromone of striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum)

Abstract Spotted cucumber beetle ( Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi ; also known as southern corn rootworm) is a pest feeding on many crops, including cucurbits, (maize), peanuts, beans, and other crops wild plants in North America. On cucurbit where it co-occurs with striped Acalymma vittatum ), both are key pests that vector Erwinia tracheiphila, destructive pathogen causes bacterial wilt. Here we deployed synthetic vittatalactone, the male-produced aggregation pheromone of A. , lures field, to measure attraction target non-target insects. Both sexes D. u. were strongly attracted vittatalactone (5–7.5-fold compared blank trap) throughout growing season Maryland Virginia, USA. Moreover, was more live males squash than females or without any beetles, confirming genuine organismal cross-attraction between these two pests. The kairomonal suggests functions “keystone semiochemical,” mediating colonization cucurbits by multiple herbivore species. Such cross could allow for use management species, potential reduction pesticide crops.