VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS) FROM Costalimaita ferruginea (Fabricius, 1801) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) IN Eucalyptus urograndis

Abstract

One of the main concerns of eucalyptus crop in Brazil is the attack of defoliator pest insects, among them, Costalimaita ferruginea (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) stands out, which after frequent population outbreaks may affect the development of eucalyptus forest stands. The control of this insect is mainly performed by the use of insecticides. Therefore, the use of semiochemicals is an ecological alternative for pest monitoring and/or pest control. The objective of this study was to characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of C. ferruginea collected in the state of Alagoas. In order to obtain the volatiles, adults of C. ferruginea with unknown age and reproductive status (mated or virgin) were collected in an experimental clonal E. urograndis stand, at the Center for Agrarian Science, Rio Largo, Alagoas. Two sample groups were used, the first with 30 males and the second with 30 females. The insects were submitted to volatile collection through headspace system in the laboratory. Subsequently, the detection and identification of (VOCs) was performed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (CG-DIC) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (CG-MS). A total of 22 compounds were identified. In the extracts, the compounds Tetradecene and (Z)-Octadecenoic acid were specific in male samples of C. ferruginea. The compound Heptadecane was specific to females. Thus, the compounds emitted by C. ferruginea and identified in the present study suggest the presence of specific volatiles of males and females. The presence of these substances may be indicative of sexual pheromones. Therefore, further studies are required to consolidate and elucidate the chemical ecology of C. ferruginea in E. urograndis.