The compositoin of cuticular hydrocarbons of the cereal aphids Sitobion avenae F. (Homoptera, Aphididae)

Abstract

1. 1. The cuticular hydrocarbons of the cereal aphids, Sitobion avenae F. were studyed by capillary column chromatography and mass spectrometry. 2. 2. n-Alkanes, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 10-, 11-, 12- and 13-monomethylalkanes, 7,11-, 11,15-, 13,17- and 5,11-dimethylalkanes were found in cuticular lipids. 3. 3. The results obtained are significantly different from these of pea aphid, where only n-alkanes were found. 4. 4. The n-alkanes of cereal aphids range from 23 to 35 carbon atoms with the predominance of odd over even members. 5. 5. These are terminally branched hydrocarbons 2-methyl and 3-methyl-alkanes rarely found together in cuticular lipids of insects.