Attraction of <i>Cnaphalocrocis medinalis</i> (Guenee) to Volatiles Emitted from <i>Megathyrsus maximus</i> (Jacq.)

A study was carried out to unveil the potential volatiles emitted from guinea grass Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.). Observations were taken from inflorescence of guinea grass after sun set and number of adult rice leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) attracted per inflorescence were counted. To determine nutritional compounds and volatile hydrocarbon profile, surface chemicals and semiochemicals were extracted from guinea grass inflorescence and analysed using High- resolution Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HR-LCMS) and Gas Chromatography- High-resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC-HRMS) respectively. The HR-LCMS results revealed the presence of an amadori compound called n-(1-deoxy-1-fructosyl) serine and the GC-HRMS results revealed 19 organic volatile compounds, among them six potential attractant compounds were identified. They are bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, diisooctyl phthalate, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid,dinonyl ester, 4-methyl decane and phthalic acid 6-ethyloct-3-yl-2-ethylhexyl ester. The study has unveiled the leaf folder attractant in guinea grass is not just a single compound but a mixture of compounds.