Identification of chemicals attractive to the olive bark beetle, Phloeotribus scarabaeoides, in laboratory bioassays

The semiochemical system of the olive bark beetle Phloeotribus scarabaeoide s was investigated. During the course of their life-cycle, whole insects, e xcised hindguts, frass, wood and leaves were collected, from both the field and from a laboratory rearing system. Samples were analysed by capillary G C/MS, after solvent extraction, collection of air volatiles on a sorbent or solid sample injection. Olfactometer bioassays were used to test the diffe rent samples and individual compounds for attraction to both sexes. Decanal , undecanal, 2-decanone, 2-nonanone and 2-undecanone, as well as alpha- and beta-pinene, were identified as attractive compounds.