A single compound functions as the aggregation-sex pheromone of the great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo)

The great capricorn beetle ( Cerambyx cerdo ) is a conservation-priority species in European oak forests, yet reliable non-destructive tools for monitoring beetle populations remain limited. We identified (3 S ,4 R )-3-hydroxy- p -mentha-1,8-dien-7-al as the male-produced aggregation-sex pheromone of Cerambyx cerdo . Headspace analysis showed a single male-specific compound that elicited responses from antennae of both sexes. Its structure and stereochemistry were confirmed using NMR spectroscopy, chiral stationary phase GC analysis, and chemical synthesis. In field bioassays in Slovenia, traps baited with the synthetic compound attracted both males and females. Results provide the first conclusive evidence of pheromonal communication in Cerambyx and support the use of the compound as a sensitive and selective lure for monitoring and sampling C. cerdo populations in conservation and management.