Asynchronous rhythms in the emission of volatiles from Hesperis matronalis flowers

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 847 - 851
• Main Authors: Nielsen, Jens K., Jakobsen, Henrik B., Friis, Palle, Hansen, Keld, Møller, Jørgen, Olsen, Carl E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Coleoptera; Curculionidae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hesperis matronalis; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Protozoa. Invertebrates; Records, symptoms, damages, economic importance, population surveys; flower fragrance; Hesperis matronalis; dame's violet; benzyl acetate; Cruciferae; rhythmic emission; monoterpenes; attractants; Volatile compound; Flower; Temperature; Coleoptera; Insecta; Emission; Identification; Photoperiod; Pest; Arthropoda; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Monoterpene; Spermatophyta; Aromatic compound; Curculionidae; Invertebrata; Odor
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/0031-9422(94)00332-N

Twelve monoterpenes and five aromatic compounds were identified from Hesperis matronalis flowers in situ. The most abundant compounds were 1,8-cineole, E- β-ocimene, linalool, and benzyl acetate. These four compounds were released asynchronously by the flowers during a photoperiod of 15 hr light and 9 hr darkness: 1,8-cineole was released mainly during the light period, E- β-ocimene mainly near the switch from light to darkness, and benzyl acetate mainly during the dark period. Linalool was not released rhythmically. Release rates of monoterpenes were higher at 20° than at 15°, while release rates of the aromatic compounds were not significantly different at these temperatures. The role of flower volatiles in host plant finding by a specialized Hesperis feeding weevil, Ceutorhynchus inaffectatus, is discussed.