Levi-Zada, A., Dunkelblum, E., Harel, M., Assael, F., & Mendel, Z. 2002 Studies on the sex pheromone of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus.. Alon Hanotea 56(1): 38-41.

Notes: The vine mealybug P. ficus is a serious pest of vineyards in the Mediterranean, California (USA) and South Africa. In an attempt to develop a monitoring system for this mealybug, research teams in California and Israel have studied, independently, its pheromone system. (S)-lavandulyl senecioate was identified as the female sex pheromone of the mealybug. Two additional compounds, (S)-lavandulyl isovalerate and (S)-lavandulyl, probably precursors of the component, were identified. However, trials in a vineyard indicated that only lavandulyl senecioate was active. Further tests are in progress to apply lavandulyl senecioate for practical use and to elucidate the role of lavandulyl isovalerate in the pheromone system of the vine mealybug.