Hormone-like Action of 3-Octanol and 1-Octen-3-ol from Botrytis cinerea on the Pine Wood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilm

Abstract

Hormone-like substances corresponding to β-myrcene from pine trees were found from Botrytis cinerea, on which the pine wood nematode multiplied very rapidly. The hormone-like substances of B. cinerea were identified as 3-octanol and 1-octen-3-ol. The racemates and optically active compounds of these alcohols exhibited attracting, molting and multiplication activities similar to β-myrcene. These compounds may play an important role in the growth of the pine wood nematode.