Camphene |

Last updated: 23/08/2025
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(Also known as: Beetle aggregation pheromone; Douglas fir beetle aggregation pheromone) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A natural, volatile component of essentials often used in mixtures with other compounds, as an insect attractant and lure |
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Douglas fir bark beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsuga) |
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Douglas fir |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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- |
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C₁₀H₁₆ |
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CC1(C2CCC(C2)C1=C)C |
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- |
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CRPUJAZIXJMDBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
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InChI=1S/C10H16/c1-7-8-4-5-9(6-8)10(7,2)3/h8-9H,1,4-6H2,2-3H3 |
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Yes |
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams |
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Common Name |
Relationship |
Link |
DL-camphene |
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Insecticide; Semiochemical |
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Pheromone |
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>80% |
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Tricyclen < 30%; Cyclophenon < 2%; Fenchen < 1% |
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Natural |
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Functions as an insect attractant - aggregation distruption |
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One of several components isolated from the Douglas fir bark beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsuga) |
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Forestry |
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Douglas fir bark beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsuga) |
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Douglas fir |
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- |
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79-92-5 |
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201-234-8 |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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136.24 |
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- |
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2,2-dimethyl-3-methylene-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane |
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3,3-dimethyl-2-methylene-norcamphane |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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UNM |
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Not applicable |
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- |
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Colourless, pungent smelling waxy solid |
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Current |
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- |
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- Douglas Fir Beetle Aggregation Pheromone
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Usually supplied in slow release formulations that are used within pheromone dispensers |
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Camphene is commercially produced through the isomerisation of alpha-pinene, a naturally occurring monoterpene extracted from the oleoresin of pine trees. The process typically begins with the distillation of turpentine oil to isolate alpha-pinene, which is then subjected to acid-catalysed cyclization, often using Lewis acids like aluminum chloride or sulphuric acid, to convert it into camphene. This reaction rearranges the molecular structure into a bicyclic framework, yielding camphene. The final product is purified through fractional distillation. |
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While exact CO₂e values are not published for specific pheromones, some general information is available. The PHERA reported that biotechnological production (e.g. yeast fermentation) of pheromones can reduce GHG emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional chemical synthesis and GHG emissions are typically in the 5 to 10 kg CO₂e per kg of pheromone produced. Other sources suggest that small scale pheromone synthesis typically has emissions in the range 1 – 3 kg CO₂e per kg of pheromone produced. |
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4.21 |
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Low |
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- |
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- |
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45 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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159 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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34 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source (closed cup) |
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2.24 X 1004 |
Calculated |
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4.35 |
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High |
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- |
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0.842 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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3.30 X 1005 |
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Highly volatile. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 5000 |
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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> 1.6 |
Lepomis macrochirus |
Moderate |
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150 |
Danio rerio |
Low |
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22.0 |
Daphnia magna |
Moderate |
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> 1000 |
Desmodesmus subspicatus |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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Low (class I) |
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> 5000 |
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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2500 |
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rabbit |
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17.1 |
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E2 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 2 = Mixed/ambiguous results |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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May cause gastro-intestinal problems |
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Highly flammable IMDG Transport Hazard Class 4.1 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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UN1325 |
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Packaging Group II (moderate danger) |
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camphene |
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Record last updated: |
23/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |