Variation of enantiomeric composition of α-pinene in norway spruce,Picea abies, and its influence on production of verbenol isomers byIps typographus in the field.

The enantiomeric composition of α-pinene in individual Norway spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] was determined on a chiral GC column after stereoselective hydroboration-oxidation followed by a reaction with isopropyl isocyanate to form the carbamate derivative. The enantiomeric composition varied considerably between trees of different genetic origin. There was a strong correlation between the chirality of α-pinene in host spruce trees and thecis/trans ratio of verbenols found in the hindguts of the bark beetleIps typographus (L.) infesting the trees.