INSECT FEEDING STIMULANTS FROM THE LEAF SURFACE OF POPULUS

Leaf surface chemicals from a beetle-preferred poplar clone, Eugenei ( Populus deltoides x Populus nigra), induce feeding in adult cottonwood leaf beetles, Chrysomela scripta. The feeding stimulants were isolate d and identified as n-beheryl alcohol (C-22) n-lignoceryl alcohol (C-2 4), n-hexacosanol (C-26), n-octacosanol (C-28), n-triacontanol (C-30), and alpha-tocophelylquinone 7,11,15-tetramethyl-hexadecyl)-3,5,6-trim ethyl-2,5 cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione] (alpha-TQ). It is the first time t hat alpha-TQ has been reported as a feeding stimulant for an insect. F atty alcohols or alpha-TQ alone do not induce beetle feeding significa ntly, but a mixture of alcohols and a-TQ synergistically stimulates be etle feeding. The role of these feeding stimulants in insect feeding b ehaviors and possible use in a pest management program is discussed.