Insect Attractants New Attractants for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Abstract

Some new potent attractants for the male Mediterranean fruit fly [Ceratifis capitata (Wied.)] have been synthesized. The sec-butyl ester of trans-4(or 5)-chloro-2-methylcyclohexane-carboxylic acid, now known as medlure, is more attractive and longer-lasting than siglure, previously the best synthetic lure. Medlure can exist in eight isomeric forms, each of which may have a different degree of attractancy. Studies were undertaken to determine the conditions necessary to obtain the most attractive preparation of this compound and such conditions, which gave a good yield of product, are described. Of the 46 esters of 4(or 5)-chloro- and bromo-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid prepared, the most attractive was the tert-butyl analog of medlure, now called trimedlure. Although not quite as long-lasting as medlure, trimedlure will supplant medlure, if an economical means of synthesizing it can be devised. Besides being useful for survey purposes, the new lures (mixed with a toxicant) may be potent enough to eliminate male medflies and serve as direct control agents. © 1961, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.