Identification of a Fruit Fly Attractant in an Australian Plant, Zieria smithii, as O-Methyl Eugenol1

Abstract

Crushed leaves of an Australian plant, Zieria smithii (Andrews) (Fam. Rutaceae), attract fruit flies. The essential oils of samples of this plant collected in Queensland and Victoria consisted of ca. 85% O-methyl eugenol, 7% safrole, and 8% (-) -inalool. Field studies indicated that the fruit flies which responded were males of Dacus (Strumeta) cacuminatus (Hering) and that it was O-methyl eugenol which attracted them to the plant.