The attractive host volatiles can enhance oviposition of Anoplophora glabripennis on a non‐host tree

Abstract Background The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis , is a serious wood borer of hardwood trees. Populus deltoides ‘Shalinyang’ (PdS) is attractive to ALB adults for oviposition but highly resistant to their offspring. Investigation of the chemicals regulating ALB oviposition is scarce in previous studies until now. To determine which chemicals emitted by PdS were attractive and induced oviposition behavior by ALB on non‐host poplar tree species, we first: collected and identified the bio‐active volatiles produced by PdS using coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and coupled gas chromatography–electroantennographic detector (GC–EAD); then evaluated which chemicals were attractive in a Y‐tube olfactometer bioassay; and finally screened key compounds affecting ALB oviposition using a ‘chemical‐stimulated oviposition on non‐host tree’ bioassay. Results ( E )‐2‐Hexenal, hexyl acetate, ( Z )‐3‐hexenol acetate, 1‐hexanol, ( Z )‐3‐hexenol, β‐caryophyllene, and salicylaldehyde emitted from PdS were attractive to ALB. When ( E )‐2‐hexenal, 1‐hexanol, ( Z )‐3‐hexenol acetate, and ( Z )‐3‐hexenol were applied to the non‐host tree Populus tomentosa , oviposition by ALB females was significantly increased. Furthermore, the mean number of oviposition pits increased as the ( Z )‐3‐hexenol concentrations increased. Further tests on synergy between pairs of chemicals showed that ( Z )‐3‐hexenol stimulated production of the most oviposition pits, but that the percentage of effective oviposition pits (those containing an egg and larva and not empty) decreased. Conclusion ( Z )‐3‐Hexenol is the main chemical component inducing ALB oviposition. These results increase understanding about the oviposition behavior of ALB and could help improve management strategies that regulate ALB behavior by planting mixed‐species forests resistant to ALB. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.