Analysis of long-range reproductive behavior of maleDiabrotica virgifera virgifera leconte andD. Barberi Smith and Lawrence to stereoisomers of 8-methyl-2-decyl propanoate under laboratory conditions.

Behavioral analysis of male attraction to stereoisomers of 8-methyl-2-decyl propanoate was conducted withDiabrotica virgifera virgifera andD. barberi using a flight tunnel.D. barberi males were attracted to the 2R,8R isomer only, and the response was inhibited by the addition of 2S,8R.D. v. virgifera males were also attracted to the 2R,8R isomer and were neither attracted nor inhibited by any of the other isomers. Males attracted to the lures displayed a series of behaviors characterized by a slow hovering flight upwind towards the odor source. While significant numbers of males of both species landed on the pheromone lure, none attempted copulation, indicating that other cues are necessary to induce this behavior.