Isolation and identification of a trail attractant for the termite Reticulitermes lucifugus from the plant Zizyphus jujuba

Abstract

Two trail attractants for the termiteR. lucifugus have been isolated from the plantZizyphus jujuba: α- and β-bisabolenes. The threshold concentrations of the actions of these substances amounts to 10−9 g/liter. β-Bisabolene in the range of concentrations of 1–10−6 g/liter is a powerful repellant for termites.