Response ofDiabrotica virgifera virgifera, D. v. Zeae, andD. porracea to stereoisomers of 8-methyl-2-decyl propanoate.

The four stereoisomers of 8-methyl-2-decyl propanoate were tested in the United States and Mexico for attractiveness toDiabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, the western corn rootworm,D. v. zeae Krysan and Smith, the Mexican corn rootworm, andD. porracea Harold. Males ofD. v. virgifera andD. v. zeae responded strongly to the (2R,8R)-isomer and secondarily to (2S,8R), whileD. ponacea responded exclusively to the (2S,8R)-isomer. The (2S,8S)- and (2R,8S)-isomers were inactive in all tests. Synergism or inhibition was not detected when various mixtures of the isomers were tested withD. v. virgifera. These phenomena were not tested withD. v. zeae andD. ponacea.