Synthesis of the minor sex pheromone component of two Brazilian soybean stink bugs (Het.: Pentatomidae), and an analogue compound

The stink bugs Euschistus heros and Piezodorus guildinii (Heteroptera: Pent atomidae) are economically important soybean pests in Brazil. An intriguing characteristic of these species is the fact that they use the same chemica l compounds as sex pheromone, e.g., methyl 2,6,10-trimethyldodecanoate (1) (minor) and methyl 2,6,10-trimethyltridecanoate (2). In order to investigat e the specific biological function of these molecules and to increase the k nowledge of the communication system of each species, we have synthesized t he minor component 1 and an analogue compound, methyl 2,6,10-trimethyltetra decanoate (3). These compounds will be tested on indoor bioassay, in additi on with the previously synthesized major component 2.