Investigation of the semiochemicals of confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val and grain weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) in stored wheat grain and flour

Abuelnnor, Nagat; Jones, PRH; Ratcliffe, Norman M.; de Lacy Costello, Ben; Spencer-Phillips, Peter T.N.

Abstract

This investigation sets out to identify specific volatile compounds from both flour infested with the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum and wheat grain infested with the grain weevil, Sitophilus granarius. These volatiles could help to aid the early detection of infestation by these pests. Volatiles by the infestation of these insect pests were entrained and analysed using Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Several volatile compounds
were identified specific to T. confusum and S. granarius, including the known semiochemicals of T. confusum. The T. confusum larvae specifically emitted the volatiles 1-octen-3-one, benzeneacetaldehyde and decanal, whilst the adults specifically emitted the volatiles 2-methyl and 2-
ethyl-1,3-benzenediols, the known semiochemicals 1-pentadecene, 2-methyl and 2-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinones and a series of yet to be fully identified unsaturated hydrocarbons. Both T. confusum adults and larvae emitted 2-methylbutanal and 2-butanone. Furthermore, four volatiles were identified unique to flour infested by T. confusum, 3-penten-2-one, 3-octanone, 2-octenal and 2-butyl-1-octanol.
The S. granarius adults specifically emitted the volatiles 2-methylpropanoic acid and 3-methylbutanoic acid, whilst infested wheat grain produced the following volatile organic compounds, 2-methylfuran, 2-ethylfuran, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-ethyl-2-pentenal and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. We believe these specific volatiles may act as semiochemicals for these insects and could aid in semiochemical monitoring for the early detection of infestation by these insects.

Citation

Abuelnnor, N., Jones, P., Ratcliffe, N. M., de Lacy Costello, B., & Spencer-Phillips, P. T. (2010, June). Investigation of the semiochemicals of confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val and grain weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) in stored wheat grain and flour. Paper presented at 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, Estoril Congress Center, Portugal

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection
• Conference Location: Estoril Congress Center, Portugal
• Start Date: Jun 27, 2010
• End Date: Jul 2, 2010
• Publication Date: Jun 27, 2010
• Deposit Date: May 2, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 72-75
• Keywords: flour beetle, grain weevil, stored wheat grain and flour
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/977907
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, Estoril Congress Center, Portugal, 27 June - 2 July 2010