Abstract: A composition for attracting male pink hibiscus mealybugs which contains a carrier material or carrier and effective amount of (R)-lavandulyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate and (R)-maconelliyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate. Also a method for attracting male pink hibiscus mealybugs to an object or area, which method involves treating said object or area with effective amount of (R)-lavandulyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate and (R)-maconelliyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate. Cyclobutanes, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-methylethylidene)cyclobutanes, having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, a C1-11 straight or branched alcohol, aldehyde, alkyl, ether (e.g. methanol, ethanal, 4-methylhexane, heptyloxymethane), or esters thereof with a C1-10 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched acid (e.g., formic acid, acetic acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid) and R2 is hydrogen, methyl, C1-10 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl (e.g. hexane, isopropenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentene).

Abstract: A pier cap for a disposition atop a pier of support for a structure, such as a manufactured home generally comprises a rectangular body having a generally flat planar textured top and support webs including a peripheral, downward extending wall and a plurality of internal webs and an open interior in the body between the webs. The webs are designed to be supported by the upper surface of a concrete block having vertical cells. Coupling projections, connected to the body and rising above the top, couple with the webs of a stacked cap to prevent sliding. The pier caps can be arranged in stacked layers of multiple caps.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for attracting and subsequently trapping and/or killing adults of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, or interfering with their reproduction. The aggregation pheromones, 4-(n-heptyloxy)butanal and 4-(n-heptyloxy)butan-1-one, in combination with a trap or toxicant, provide means for monitoring, killing or inhibiting the reproduction of these insects.

Abstract: The novel sesquiterpene epoxides trans-(Z)-1-methyl-4-(1,5-dimethyl-1,4-hexadienyl)-1,2-epoxycyclohexane and cis-(z)-1-methyl-4-(1,5-dimethyl-1,4-hexadienyl)-1,2-expoxycyclohexane have been isolated from N. viridula adult males, and have been successfully synthesized. The compounds are useful for the production of synthetic sex attractants for N. viridula and its parasitoids.

Abstract: A hair length measuring apparatus includes a measuring roller and holding clamp operatively mounted on a handle, said holding clamp holding against said roller the hair being measured, such that as said handle is moved along the length of said hair, said roller is caused to rotate thereby. An optical switch detects the rotation of said roller, a decimal counter counts said rotating, and a display displays the state of said counter, thereby providing a continuously updated indication of the length of hair that has traveled across said roller during a given hair measuring operation.