BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS AND SENSORY DETECTION OF DRIMANE DETERRENTS IN MYZUS-PERSICAE AND APHIS-GOSSYPII NYMPHS

Eleven synthetic drimane compounds were tested for their deterrency to nymphs of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Homopt era: Aphididae). In general, A. gossypii nymphs were less sensitive to the drimanes than M, persicae nymphs. Warburganal (1) and polygodial (2), with a beta-dialdehyde configuration and double bond at C7-C8, we re highly active as deterrents and/or feeding inhibitors against both species. One of the synthetic compounds (10) showed relatively high ac tivity against A. gossypii, while it was not active at all against M. persicae, indicating that synthetic analogs of natural deterrents can be highly selective feeding deterrents. From 24-hr interval observatio ns and ablation studies, it is concluded that nymphs of both M. persic ae and A. gossypii detect polygodial and possibly the other drimanes t ested with contact chemosensilla at the tips of their antennae. The ab lation studies also showed that in both species no tarsal, labial, or epipharyngeal sensilla are involved in detecting polygodial within 24 hr.