The navel orangeworm (NOW), a major pest of the California nut industries is also a vector for mycotoxin producing aflatoxin species.  Control and monitoring of NOW infestation is therefore a crucial step in the reduction of nut damage and mycotoxin prevention. Almonds with hull rot produce volatile emissions that include the spiroketals conophthorin and chalcogran.  These spiroketals are chemical attractants to a wide variety of insects, with conophthorin being included previously as a key component of an ARS developed NOW lure. These unique spiroketals are likely chemical cues that the NOW uses to identify almonds with hull rot as suitable sites for overwintering or as available sources of nourishment in spring for a new generation. Postharvest in-hull almonds or pistachios with or without visible fungal damage were placed individually in jars with a humidity salt to control moisture and incubated at a controlled temperature.  Volatiles were collected on a SPME fiber for each almond sample after incubation times of 0, 3, and 7 days. Volatiles were identified by GC/MS, with individual spiroketals quantified by peak areas. The volatile profiles of almonds and pistachios with fungal damage include different spiroketal isomers and other unique compounds that could find use in navel orangeworm semiochemical lures.  The compounds were evaluated for NOW attracting efficacy in both almond and pistachio orchards.  The study of these fungal associated volatiles could lead to new or better chemical attractants for use as navel orangeworm lures.  <br/>

Identification of novel host plant volatiles for use as navel orangeworm attractants

2019 Fall National Meeting

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