Identification and synthesis of male-produced sex pheromone components of the stink bugs Chlorochroa ligata and Chlorochroa uhleri

The reproductive behaviors of the stink bugs Chlorochroa ligata and C. uhle ri were studied in the laboratory. Adults of both species became sexually m ature about 12-14 days after the final molt, and both sexes mated multiple times during their lifetimes. The mean duration of copulation was 54 +/- 24 min for virgin bugs and 46 +/- 33 min for experienced bugs for C. ligata a nd 78 +/- 55 min for field-collected C. uhleri of unknown mating status. Ma le C. ligata were found to transfer a significant fraction of their body ma ss (19%) to females during mating. Sexually mature C. uhleri males produced three sex-specific compounds, methyl (R)-3-(E)-6-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate, me thyl (2E,6E)-farnesoate, and methyl (E)-5-2,6,10-trimethyl-5,9-undecadienoa te, in a ratio of 100:0.9:0.6. These three compounds were also produced by sexually mature male C. ligata in a ratio of 100:0.5:0.4. Identifications o f the compounds were confirmed by Synthesis. Production of the male-specifi c compounds peaked, in late afternoon to early evening, coincident with the peak period of reproductive activity. Laboratory and field bioassays demon strated that female bugs were attracted to odors from live males and to rec onstructed blends of the male-specific compounds.