Plant volatiles

Abstract

The present invention provides compounds and compositions for attracting or repelling sap-sucking insects, such as whitefly, as well as methods for using such compositions.

1 . A whitefly repellant composition, comprising as active ingredient a mixture of two or more repellant compounds selected from the group consisting of para-cymene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-phellandrene and/or epizingiberene, wherein the composition is substantially free of other terpene or terpenoid compounds. 
     
     
         2 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , comprising as active ingredient a mixture of three or more of the repellant compounds. 
     
     
         3 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises epizingiberene. 
     
     
         4 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises para-cymene. 
     
     
         5 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises gamma-terpinene. 
     
     
         6 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises alpha-terpinene. 
     
     
         7 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises alpha-phellandrene. 
     
     
         8 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein active ingredient of the composition consists essentially of no more than two of the repellant compounds. 
     
     
         9 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein active ingredient of the composition consists essentially of no more than three of the repellant compounds. 
     
     
         10 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein active ingredient of the composition consists essentially of no more than five of the repellant compounds. 
     
     
         11 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a volatile liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of emulsified concentrate formulations, high concentrate liquids, spray concentrates, ultra-low volume concentrates, low concentrate liquids or oil solutions, flowable liquids, water soluble concentrates, encapsulated formulations, dust formulations, granules, wettable powders, soluble powders, liquefied gas, fumigants, and aerosols. 
     
     
         13 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a slow- or controlled-release formulation. 
     
     
         14 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is comprised in a solid support material. 
     
     
         15 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the repellant compounds are chemically synthesized or purified from natural sources. 
     
     
         16 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is not a naturally occurring head-space composition of plants. 
     
     
         17 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , where active ingredient accounts for at least 5% weight pre volume of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . The whitefly repellant composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is adapted to reduce whitefly infestation or damage by at least 30%, as measured by number of whiteflies, numbers of whitefly eggs laid, number of whiteflies probing plant tissues, virus transmission or incidence, plant yield loss, or plant tissue damage. 
     
     
         19 . A kit comprising (a) a whitefly repellant composition comprising as active ingredient one or more repellant compounds selected from the group consisting of para-cymene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-phellandrene and/or epizingiberene, and (b) a whitefly attractant composition comprising as active ingredient one or more attractant compounds selected from the group consisting of beta-phellandrene, limonene and 2-carene. 
     
     
         20 . A crop field comprising (a) a plurality of crops and a whitefly repellant composition applied on the crops, wherein the whitefly repellant composition comprises as active ingredient one or more repellant compounds selected from the group consisting of para-cymene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-phellandrene and/or epizingiberene, and (b) a plurality of trap plants and/or trap materials and a whitefly attractant composition applied on the trap plants and/or trap materials, wherein the whitefly attractant composition comprises as active ingredient one or more attractant compounds selected from the group consisting of beta-phellandrene, limonene and 2-carene.