Olfactory and behavioral responses of the fifth-instar larvae of <italic>Endoclita vietnamensis</italic> to volatiles from the trunk of <italic>Mallotus paniculatus</italic>

To elucidate the olfactory recognition mechanism of Endoclita vietnamensis fifth‑instar larvae to volatiles from Mallotus paniculatus trunks, volatiles components of both healthy and damaged trunk of M. paniculatus were analyzed using dynamic headspace adsorption combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Key volatile compounds such as terpenes and aromatic hydrocarbons were screened via electroantennogram (EAG), and larval choice behavioral responses to volatiles from the trunk of M. paniculatus were validated using a Y‑tube olfactometer. The results showed that volatiles from damaged M. paniculatus trunks significantly attracted the fifth‑instar larvae of E. vietnamensis, with compounds such as methylpentanol alcohol eliciting strong antennal responses. Results revealed the complex relationship between M. paniculatus volatiles and larval behavior, providing a theoretical basis for developing pest control strategies based on olfactory interference.