Females of adzuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), a cosmopolitan field-to-storage pest of legumes, release sex pheromone consisting of two isomeric components, 2Z-homofarnesal and 2E-homofarnesal. Two day old virgin ABB adults were exposed to sub-lethal fumigation doses (LC25=0.0056 and LC50=0.0076 mgL-1) of phosphine (PH3) to evaluate the effects on adult longevity, fertility and sex pheromone production. Longevity (female; P < 0.001, male; P < 0.001), fecundity (P < 0.001) and sterility (P < 0.001) were significantly affected. The GC-MS for solid phase micro extraction exhibited the significant reduction of release of both of the pheromone components; 2Z-homofarnesal (P < 0.0038) and 2E-homofarnesal (P = 0.0009) when the females were exposed to LC25 dose of PH3. This study unveils the detrimental effects of PH3 fumigation on some of the biological parameters of ABB.

Azuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) is a cosmopolitan field-to-storage pest of legumes. Its female sex pheromone consists of two isomeric components, 2Z-homofarnesal and 2E-homofarnesal. Two day old virgin adults were exposed to sub-lethal fumigation doses (LC25=2.80 and LC50=3.32 mgL-1) of ethyl formate (EF) to see the effects on adult longevity, fecundity, sterility and female sex pheromone production. Longevity (female; P < 0.001, male; P < 0.001), fecundity (P < 0.001) and sterility (P < 0.001) were significantly affected. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for solid phase micro extraction revealed that release of both of the pheromone components were not affected by LC25 dose of EF. However, the fecundity (per female/day) was significantly (P < 0.001) stimulated by the tested EF doses when the female adults were treated irrespective of the male treatment, probably revealing a hormetic effect. This study provides insight into the effect of EF fumigation on biological activities of C. chinensis.

Azuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) is a field-to-storage pest of legumes and its female produces sex pheromone with two isomeric components, 2Z-homofarnesal and 2E-homofarnesal. Two day old virgin adults were exposed to 0, 200, 300, 400, 500 & 600 Gy gamma radiation and effect on longevity, fecundity, sterility and pheromone production were studied. Longevity (female; P < 0.001, male; P < 0.001) and fecundity (P < 0.001) were dose-dependently affected by the gamma irradiation. Both adults were totally sterilized by the tested doses of gamma irradiation as depicted by the null hatchability of laid eggs. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for solid phase micro extraction revealed that both of the pheromone components were significantly but not completely reduced by 300 Gy. It is a pre-requisite for a successful sterile insect technology that the sterility of ABB is induced without the total disruption of calling behavior.

The female azuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L., a worldwide notorious pest of azuki beans produces sex pheromone having two isomer compounds; (2Z,6E)-7-ethyl-3,11-dimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrienals (2Z-homofarnesal) and (2E,6E)-7-ethyl-3,11-dimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrienals (2E-homofarnesal). We synthesized and evaluated the attractiveness of different blends of the two isomeric compounds using Y-olfactometry in laboratory and rocket traps in the field. The attractiveness pattern of the tested blends in Y-olfactometry was found as 1:9≥6:4>9:1 of 2E-:2Z-homofarnesal. Under field condition also, the 6:4 blend was more attractive than 9:1 blend. The result ascertained the enhanced pheromonal activity of homofarnesal with the increased ratio of Z-component in the blend. This provides an opportunity to synthesize Z-rich homofarnresal with less sophisticated and economically feasible Z-selective method.