Analysis of the volatiles compounds of three date palm, (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits varieties via SPME-GCMS at two maturation stages and their effect on Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) oviposition behavior

Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to extract and analyse the volatiles in the headspace above the three Algerian date palm fruit varieties (Deglet-Nour, Degla-Beidha and Ghars) at two maturation stages (Bser and T'mar). In total 24 compounds were identified among the 71 compounds registered in the three varieties combined. The behavioral responses of Ectomyelois ceratoniae females, towards the three dates cultivars at two maturation stages, noted that the Deglet-Nour cultivar received more than half of the eggs laid with an overall rate of 53.08%; followed by Ghars with 28.39% and Degla-Beidha with 18.51%.