Response of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, D. v. Zeae, and D. porracea to stereoisomers of 8-methyl-2-decyl propanoate

The four stereoisomers of 8-methyl-2-decyl propanoate were tested in the United States and Mexico for attractiveness to Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, the western corn rootworm, D. v. zeae Krysan and Smith, the Mexican corn rootworm, and D. porracea Harold. Males of D. v. virgifera and D. v. zeae responded strongly to the (2R,8R)-isomer and secondarily to (2S,8R), while D. ponacea responded exclusively to the (2S,8R)-isomer. The (2S,8S)- and (2R,8S)-isomers were inactive in all tests. Synergism or inhibition was not detected when various mixtures of the isomers were tested with D. v. virgifera. These phenomena were not tested with D. v. zeae and D. ponacea.