Behavioral studies using an olfactometer demonstrated that spring migrants of the damson-hop aphid,
Phorodon humuli, respond to semiochemicals released by spring migrants feeding on hop leaves. Samples of the total volatiles released on feeding were analyzed by coupled gas chromatographysingle cell recording techniques and showed the presence of several active components. Three compounds were identified, using coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, as methyl salicylate, (
E)-2-hexenal and

-caryophyllene. These three compounds elicited responses from separate olfactory receptors on the antenna. In the olfactometer, both (
E)-2-hexenal and

-caryophyllene gave positive responses from spring migrants, and a mixture of the two compounds in the natural ratio was more attractive than (
E)-2-hexenal alone. Addition of methyl salicylate eliminated the response to the active binary mixture.
Key Words Damson-hop aphid -
Phorodon humuli
- Homoptera - Aphididae - methyl salicylate - (E)-2-hexenal -
-caryophyllene - semiochemicals - aggregation - attractant