Identification and synthesis of the sex pheromone of the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus

Sexually mature females of an important agricultural pest, the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus, produce the monoterpene (S)-lavandulol and the corresponding ester, (S)-(+)-lavandulyl senecioate. The racemic ester was highly attractive to mature male mealybugs, whereas lavandulol was not. The naturally produced 2:5 blend of lavandulol and the ester also was no more attractive than the ester alone.