Synthesis and field bioassay of the Israeli pine bast scale, Matsucoccus josephi, female sex pheromone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)73904-9

We report the first synthesis of the two components of the female sex pheromone of Matsucoccus josephi (2E,4E,8E)-4,6-dimethyl-2,4,8-decatrien-7-one (1) and (2E,4Z,8E)-4,6-dimethyl-2,4,8-decatrien-7-one (2) utilizing the Reformatzky and Wittig reactions as key steps. A mixture of 1 and 2 and the separate isomers were bioassayed in a pine forest indicating that E isomer 1 is much more active than 2 and is also a kairomone for a predator.