2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to compare and identify pheromone components produced by southern and northern strain plum curculios. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) A headspace collection system at the USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville WV will be used to collect and extract volatiles from southern strain plum curculios. An identical system will be used at St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada to collect and extract volatiles from nothern strain plum curculios. Samples will be sent to USDA-ARS Chemicals Affecting Insect Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville MD for analysis. Experimental lures based on compound identification will be formulated in Beltsville MD, USA and evaluated for biological activity at Kearneysville WV for the southern strain plum curculioand St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada for the northern strain plum curculio. 3.Progress Report We refined an electroantennogram technique for the plum curculio that will facilitate the identification of pheromone components from headspace collections of virgin males. The physiological state of male plum curculios, abiotic conditions, and collection techniques that result in consistent detection of a known pheromone component also have been defined. We have identified a synthetic chemical standard for use in EAG studies with plum curculio. We also have determined that we must increase relative humidity within our collection devices in order for males to reliably produce pheromone. Future studies will target GC-EAD responses of male plum curculios. The ADODR has monitored activities through email, site visits, and calls.