Spring migration of damson-hop aphid,Phorodon humuli (Homoptera, Aphididae), and summer host plant-derived semiochemicals released on feeding.

Behavioral studies using an olfactometer demonstrated that spring migrants of the damson-hop aphid,Phorodon humuli, respond to semiochemicals released by spring migrants feeding on hop leaves. Samples of the total volatiles released on feeding were analyzed by coupled gas chromatographysingle cell recording techniques and showed the presence of several active components. Three compounds were identified, using coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, as methyl salicylate, (E)-2-hexenal andβ-caryophyllene. These three compounds elicited responses from separate olfactory receptors on the antenna. In the olfactometer, both (E)-2-hexenal andβ-caryophyllene gave positive responses from spring migrants, and a mixture of the two compounds in the natural ratio was more attractive than (E)-2-hexenal alone. Addition of methyl salicylate eliminated the response to the active binary mixture.