Chemical ecology of astigmatid mites—XLV. (2R,3R)-Epoxyneral: Sex pheromone of the acarid mite Caloglyphus sp. (acarina: acaridae)1 Original Research Article

(2R,3R)-2,3-Epoxy-3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal [(2R,3R)-epoxyneral] was identified as the female sex pheromone from an acarid mite, Caloglyphus sp. (Astigmata:Acaridae), whose phoretic hypopi had been collected from the Cockchafer, Melolontha japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Sexual activity of the males was induced by exposure to a 0.1-1 ng dose of synthetic (2R,3R)-epoxyneral. The enantiomer of the pheromone, (2S, 3S)-epoxyneral, was inactive and its admixture did not inhibit the activity of the natural pheromone.