Field Responses of Rice Stalk Stink Bug, Tibraca limbativentris, to Synthetic Sex Pheromone and Isomers of 1,10-Bisaboladien-3-ol

Abstract

The rice stalk stink bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stål, is an important rice pest in Brazil, causing significant damage to rice plants and consequently yield losses, with a high invasive potential in Mexico and USA. The male-produced sex pheromone of this species was recently identified as a 7:3 mixture of (3S,6S,7R)-1,10-bisaboladien-3-ol (1) and (3R,6S,7R)-1,10-bisaboladien-3-ol (5) (a.k.a. zingiberenols). The aim of this study was to evaluate field responses of T. limbativentris females to the racemic mixture and stereoisomers of 1,10-bisaboladien-3-ol, including the male-produced sex pheromone. The results obtained in two rice-producing areas of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina) showed that traps baited with the main component 1 alone, the racemic mixture, and a mixture of 1 and 5 were attractive to females of T. limbativentris. The minor component 5 was unable to attract females when used alone. The results indicate that the sex pheromone of T. limbativentris and racemic mixture of 1,10-bisaboladien-3-ol were equally attractive to co-specific females in rice fields, and they could be a tool to incorporate in rice stalk stink bug management programs.