Synthetic pheromone 10-methyl-2-tridecanone and its use in controlling the southern corn rootworm and related diabroticites

US4474991A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture · US

Inventors

• Paul L. Guss · Brookings, US
• James H. Tumlinson, III · Gainesville, US
• Philip E. Sonnet · Bowie, US
• John McLaughlin · Media, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 27, 1983
• Grant date: Oct 2, 1984
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2003

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C45/292
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A pheromonal compound produced by the southern corn rootworm has been identified as 10-methyl-2-tridecanone (10-M-2-T) having the structural formula: ##STR1## The synthetic R-enantiomer of 10-M-2-T demonstrates activity toward the southern corn rootworm comparable to its natural counterpart, whereas the synthetic racemic mixture is characterized by approximately half the activity for a given amount. Related diabroticites such as the western spotted cucumber beetle also respond to the synthetic compounds. By attracting adult beetles to field traps, 10-M-2-T is a useful tool for the monitoring and control of these major agricultural pests.