Production and release of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal by sex pheromone glands of females ofPlodia interpunctella (lepidoptera: pyralidae)

Extracts of sex pheromone glands obtained from females ofPloida interpunctella contained detectable amounts of (Z,E,)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (Z9,E12–14:Ac) and (Z,E.)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol (Z9,E12–14:OH) 4 hr prior to the first scotophase after adult emergence. The amount of pheromone increased during the first 4 hr of the scotophase and then declined to low levels during the subsequent photophase. Decapitation of females immediately after emergence, prior to expansion of the wings, inhibited production of pheromone during the subsequent 48 hr. Injection of extracts of the heads of 1-day-old females ofP. interpunctella of partially purified extracts of the cephalic ganglia of females of the corn earworm moth into decapitated females stimulated production of bothZ9,E12–14:Ac andZ9,E12–14:OH as well as production of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal (Z9,E12–14:Al). This aldehyde was subsequently identified from extracts of pheromone glands obtained from naturally calling females as well as from volatiles emitted by calling females. Studies on the terminal steps in biosynthesis of the pheromone showed thatZ9,E12–14:OH was produced from the corresponding acetate and thatZ9,E12–14:Al was produced from the alcohol via the action of an oxidase(s).     

Characterization of Pheromone Blend for Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana by Using Flight Track Recording

The behavioral responses of Lobesia botrana males to calling females, pheromone gland extracts, and synthetic sex pheromones were recorded in a wind tunnel. Gland extracts and synthetic pheromones were released from a pheromone evaporator. The numbers of males reaching the source and their flight tracks in response to calling females and pheromone gland extracts were compared to those of synthetic blends. Upwind flights to natural sex pheromone were straighter and faster than to a three-component blend of (E)-7,(Z)-9-dodecadienyl acetate (E7,Z9–12:Ac), (E)-7,(Z)-9-dodecadien-1-ol (E7,Z9–12:OH), and (Z)-9-docecenyl acetate (Z9–12:Ac) (100:20:5). The optimum ratio of E7,Z9–12:OH and Z9–12:Ac to E7,Z9–12:Ac was found to be 5% and 1%, respectively. An additional seven compounds identified in the sex pheromone gland were investigated for their biological activity. Two unsaturated acetates, i.e., (E)-9-dodecenyl acetate (E9–12:Ac) and 11-dodecenyl acetate (11–12:Ac), increased the number of males reaching the source as well as straightness, linear velocity, and decreased the track angle of upwind flight. Optimum response was obtained by releasing 10 pg/min E7,Z9–12:Ac in a mixture with 0.5 pg/min E7,Z9–12:OH, 0.1 pg/min Z9–12:Ac, 0.1 pg/min E9– 12:Ac and 1 pg/min 11-12–Ac. The saturated acetates previously identified in the female glands were biologically inactive.     

Sex pheromone catabolism in the redbanded leafroller moth

Tritium-labeled components of the red-banded leaf-roller female sex pheromone, (Z)- and (E)-[11,12-³H₂]-11-tetradecenyl acetate (57 Ci/mmol), applied to antennae of males and females were degraded causing formation of tritiated 11-tetradecenol, 11-tetradecenoic acid, and water. Results indicate that the catabolic pathway involves acetate hydrolysis, oxidation of alcohol to fatty acid, and degradation of the acid via-oxidation. Both geometric isomers were degraded equally well by males but degradation proceeded comparatively less rapidly with female antennae. It is surmised that under natural conditions of olfactory sensing, sex pheromone impinging upon the moth's antennae is probably subject to a similar catabolic fate.     

Sex Pheromone of the Cranberry Blossom Worm, Epiglaea apiata

The cranberry blossom worm, Epiglaea apiata (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of cranberries in New Jersey. The female sexpheromone of this moth was identified as a blend of (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate (Z9-16:Ac), (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), and tetradecyl acetate (14:Ac) by gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The ratio of the components in extracts of the female pheromone gland was determined to be 65 : 2 : 33 of the Z9-16:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and 14:Ac, respectively. The double bond positions of the pheromone components were confirmed by dimethyl disulfide derivatization. In addition to the above three components, a mixture of C₄–C₁₀ aliphatic acids was present in both gland extracts and effluvia collections, and the acids elicited significant EAD responses from male moth antennae. However, addition of the C₄–C₁₀ aliphatic acids to the pheromone blend did not significantly increase trap captures. Three-hundred- and 1000-g doses of a synthetic blend containing Z9-16:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and 14:Ac (65 : 2 : 33), on a rubber septum were more attractive to males than lower doses.     

Sex pheromone ofStenoma cecropia Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)

(Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienal (Z9,E11–14: Ald; 11%), (Z,E)-9,11,13-tetradecatrienal (Z9,E11, 13–14: Ald; 67%), (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9,E11–14: Ac, 5.5%), and (Z,E)-9,11,13-tetradecatrienyl acetate (Z9,E11,13–14: Ac; 16.5%) were identified in the extracts of female pheromone glands ofStenoma cecropia (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae). From electroantennograms and single sensillum recordings, receptors toZ9,E11,13–14:Ald andZ9,E11–14: Ald were found on male antenna. Behavioral data were obtained from olfactometric tests in the laboratory and field trapping experiments in Colombia. It appeared that a blend ofZ9,E11,13–14:Ald (83%) andZ9,E11–14:Ald (17%) was attractive to males. These aldehydes are assumed to be components of the sex pheromone ofS. cecropia, whereas the acetates found in gland extracts might be precursors of the pheromone.     

Sex pheromone components of the buck moth Hemileuca maia

The sex attractant pheromone blend of Hemileuca maia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) from the vicinity of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been identified. The major component of the blend is (E10,Z12)-hexadeca-10,12-dienal (E10,Z12–16:Ald), in combination with the minor components (E10,Z12)-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-ol (E10,Z12–16:OH), and (E10,Z12)-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-yl acetate (E10,Z12–16:Ac). Ratios of the compounds in extracts of female pheromone glands varied around a mean of 100:7.4:6.3. None of the three components were attractive to male moths when tested as single components. Several other compounds were tentatively identified from female pheromone gland extracts, including E10,E12–16:Ald, E10,E12–16:OH, and E10,E12–16:Ac, but addition of these components, either alone or in combination, at biologically relevant rates, did not significantly increase the attractiveness of lures. The saturated analogs, hexadecanal, hexadecanol, and hexadecyl acetate, also were identified in gland extracts, but had no apparent effect as pheromone components.     

Sex pheromone of cranberry fruitworm,Acrobasis vaccinii riley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The following compounds and (approximate ratios) were identified in sex pheromone gland extracts of femaleAcrobasis vaccinii Riley by comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometric traces with those of synthetic standards: (E,Z)-, (Z,E)-, (Z,Z), and (E,E)-8, 10-pentadecadien-l-ol acetates (100:1:2:12), a dodecen-l-ol acetate (8), (Z)-8-, (Z)-9-, and (E)-9-pentadecen-l-ol acetates (3:23:4), two heptadecen-l-ol acetates (4:4), tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, and heptadecyl acetates (3:15:10:8), dodecan-l-ol (6), tetradecan-l-ol (5), and hexadecan-l-ol (23). The amount of (E,Z)-8, 10-pentadecadien-l-ol acetate (E8,Z10–15:Ac) in the extract was about 0.5 ng/female. Electroantennographic analysis of gas chromatographic fractions of female sex pheromone gland extract showed that the fraction containingE8,Z10–15:Ac elicited the greatest response. Alone,E8,Z10–15:Ac failed to elicit upwind flight of males in flight-tunnel tests, and traps baited with it did not catch males in field experiments. WhenE8,Z10–15:Ac was combined with (E)-9-pentadecen-l-ol acetate (100:4), male upwind flight response in flight-tunnel tests was equivalent to those obtained with extract of female sex pheromone glands (synthetic, 62%; natural, 51%), but the percent of males flying upwind that contacted the source was lower (synthetic, 47%; natural, 88%). The lower percent of source contact elicited by the synthetic pheromone could be a result of the difference in isomer ratios of 8,10–15:Ac in the natural and synthetic pheromone or could indicate that the synthetic pheromone is incomplete. Traps baited with the 100:4 combination caught large numbers of males in field experiments.     

Chemical and Behavioral Evidence for a Third Pheromone Component in a North American Population of the Black Cutworm Moth, Agrotis ipsilon

The sex pheromone of Agrotis ipsilon had been previously identified as a blend of (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7–12:Ac) and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9–14:Ac). A synthetic blend of Z7–12:Ac and Z9–14:Ac (30 g:10 g) is effective in attracting males in the field. In several countries, addition of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11–16:Ac) to the previously identified blend increases male captures, but this had not been demonstrated in North America. We found Z11–16:Ac, in addition to Z7–12:Ac and Z9–14:Ac, from pheromone gland extracts of females from North America. The mean ratio of Z7–12:Ac, Z9–14:Ac, and Z11–16:Ac produced by individual females was 70.5:14.2:15.3, respectively. In Kentucky, addition of Z11–16:Ac (60 g) to a two-component blend of Z7–12:Ac and Z9–14:Ac significantly increased the trap capture rate in the field. Traps baited with this three-component blend were 3.3 times (1995) and 4.6 times (1996) more effective in capturing male A. ipsilon than the two-component blend. This improved effectiveness resulted in detection of A. ipsilon in 60% more of the sampling periods in the two years. In the wind tunnel, males flew upwind and contacted a rubber septum loaded with a three-component blend including Z11–16:Ac significantly more frequently than they did to any two-component blend. These results demonstrate that Z11–16:Ac is a pheromone component in this North American population of A. ipsilon.     

Sex Attractant Pheromone of Saturniid Moth Coloradia velda

The female-produced sex attractant pheromone of Coloradia velda has been identified by a combination of analytical methods and field tests as a blend of (10E,12Z)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (10E,12Z–16:Ac), (10E,12E)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (10E,12E–16:Ac), and (10E,12Z)-hexadecadien-1-ol (10E,12Z–16:OH) in a 10:1:0.33 ratio, respectively. The corresponding aldehyde (10E,12Z–16:Ald) was also found in extracts of female pheromone glands, but in blends with 10E,12Z–16:Ac and 10E,12E–16:Ac at low doses did not significantly increase the attractiveness of baits to male moths.     

Sex Pheromone of Nuttall's Sheep Moth, Hemileuca nuttalli, from the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California

The sex attractant pheromone blend of Hemileuca nuttalli (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) from the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California was determined to be a combination of E10,Z12-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-yl acetate (E10,Z12–16:Ac) and E10,E12-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-yl acetate (E10,E12–16:Ac). Ratios of the compounds in extracts of female pheromone glands varied around a mean of 100:48, although the ratio was not critical in field trials. Blends of synthetic E10,Z12–16:Ac and E10,E12–16:Ac in 100:50, 50:100, and 100:100 ratios attracted equal numbers of male moths. Field trials also indicated that E10,Z12–hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-ol (E10,Z12–16:OH) and E10,Z12-hexadeca-10,12-dienal (E10,Z12–16:Ald) were antagonistic at rates of 3.3% and 10%, respectively, of the E10,Z12–16:Ac, despite being found in female moth extracts. E10,E12–16:Ac, E10,Z12–16:OH, and E10,Z12–16:Ald all appear to have roles in maintenance of reproductive isolation between H. nuttalli and H. eglanterina.     

Subtleties in Perception and Discrimination by Cabbage Looper Moths, Trichoplusia ni, of the two 14-carbon Acetate Sex Pheromone Components

Three compounds that are emitted by virgin female cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7–12:Ac), (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7–14:Ac), and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9–14:Ac), are detected by antennal olfactory receptor neurons specialized to detect sex pheromone components. The principal evidence signifying that either or both of Z7–14:Ac and Z9–14:Ac have an effect on male behavior comes from an observed reduction in the numbers of males trapped by Z7–12:Ac paired with a six-component mixture. The evidence conforms to a hypothesis that either or both of these compounds are the basis for discrimination between the two mixtures. However, scant evidence for this hypothesis was obtained in paired-source laboratory wind-tunnel assays, even at airborne concentrations of Z7–14:Ac and Z9–14:Ac that ranged up to 1000× that emitted by a female. Furthermore, there was little evidence from single-source laboratory or field trap assays confirming that Z7–14:Ac and Z9–14:Ac at or above natural stimulus strengths modify the moth's perception of Z7–12:Ac. The data suggest that discrimination of small mixture differences may not be resolvable within the confines of a wind tunnel.     

Identification of sex pheromone of bristly cutworm,Lacinipolia renigera (Stephens)

The sex pheromone of the bristly cutworm moth,Lacinipolia renigera was identified as a blend of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (itZ9–14): Ac and (Z, E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (ZE-9,12–14: Ac). Extracts of female glands were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography on three columns of different polarities. In each analysis, peaks with retention times identical to Z9–14:Ac andZE–9, 12–14: Ac were observed. GC-MS analysis of gland extracts supported the identification of these two compounds. Volatiles emitted from female sex pheromone glands during 10-min collection periods contained 7.8 ±2.01 ng ofZ9- 14: Ac. On average the blend contained 3.8 ± 1.43%ZE-9,12–14: Ac. Blends ranging from 1% to 10%ZE- 9,12–14: Ac in Z9-14: Ac (1 mg) were effective in capturing males in the field. The number of males captured in traps baited with a 3 % blend ofZE- 9,12-14: Ac in Z9-14: Ac was not significantly different than the number caught in traps containing two virgin females.     

Aggressive Chemical Mimicry by the Bolas Spider Mastophora hutchinsoni: Identification and Quantification of a Major Prey's Sex Pheromone Components in the Spider's Volatile Emissions

The adult female bolas spider Mastophora hutchinsoni feeds exclusively on attracted males of a few moth species. This exclusivity and the behavior of the approaching moths suggest that the spider aggressively mimics the sex pheromones of its prey species. Males of the bristly cutworm, Lacinipolia renigera, are a major prey of this spider, accounting for about two thirds of the biomass of prey consumed. Female bristly cutworms produce a pheromone blend consisting of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9–14 : Ac) and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecenyl acetate (ZE-9,12–14 : Ac). To determine if M. hutchinsoni females mimic the sex pheromone components and blend ratio of L. renigera, we collected volatiles from hunting adult female spiders and analyzed them with gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-EAD analysis of volatile collections, using a male bristly cutworm antenna as the detector and two capillary columns of different polarities, revealed the presence of peaks with retention times (R _ts) identical to Z9–14 : Ac and ZE-9,12– 14 : Ac. The mass spectrum of a peak with R _t of Z9–14 : Ac was identical to the mass spectrum of the synthetic equivalent. There was an insufficient quantity of the compound with R _t of ZE-9,12–14 : Ac to get a full spectrum, but selective detection of ions at m/z 61 and 192 at the correct R _t supported the identification. On average, the blend collected from spiders contained 54.8 ± 20.8 (SE) pg/min of Z9–14 : Ac and 2.5 ± 1.7 (SE) pg/min of ZE-9,12–14 : Ac. The latter, on average, comprised 2.6 ± 0.7% of the total, which is similar to the blend ratio emitted by bristly cutworm females. Our results indicate that the adult female M. hutchinsoni produces an allomone blend that mimics not only the composition, but also the blend ratio, of the sex pheromone of a major prey species.     

Isolation, Identification, Synthesis, and Field Evaluation of the Sex Pheromone of the Brazilian Population of Spodoptera frugiperda

Several studies have shown intraspecific geographical variation in the composition of sex pheromones. Pheromone lures from North America and Europe were not effective against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil, so we examined the composition of the sex pheromone produced by females from Brazilian populations. Virgin female gland extracts contained (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac), (E)-7-dodecenyl acetate (E7-12:Ac), dodecyl acetate, (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), (Z)-10-tetradecenyl acetate, tetradecyl acetate/(Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate. The relative proportions of each acetate were 0.8:1.2:0.6:traces:82.8:0.3:1.5:12.9, respectively. This is the first time that E7-12:Ac has been reported from the pheromone gland of S. frugiperda. Only three compounds, Z9-14:Ac, Z7-12:Ac, and E7-12:Ac, elicited antennal responses, and there were no differences in catch between traps baited with either Z7-12:Ac + Z9-14:Ac or Z7-12:Ac + Z9-14:Ac + Z11-16:Ac blends. However, the Z7-12:Ac + Z9-14:Ac + E7-12:Ac blend was significantly better than Z7-12:Ac + Z9-14:Ac, indicating that E7-12:Ac is an active component in the sex pheromone of the Brazilian populations of S. frugiperda.     

(Z)-11-Eicosenyl acetate,an aggregation pheromone inDrosophila malerkotliana

(Z)-11-Eicosenyl acetate (Z11–20:Ac) was identified as the aggregation pheromone inDrosophila malerkotliana. The pheromone (200–300 ng/fly) was isolated from hexane extracts of the ejaculatory bulb of sexually mature male flies. Males released very little, if any,Z11–20:Ac to the food at any time. During mating there was a transfer of ca. 100 ng ofZ11–20:Ac to the female's reproductive tract. The mated female fly transferred theZ11–20:Ac to the surrounding surfaces in just a few hours after mating. In bioassay in a wind-tunnel olfactometer,Z11–20:Ac was not attractive alone, but was synergistic with fermenting food or with acetone. AlthoughD. malerkotliana has no (Z)-11-octadecenyl acetate (Z11–18:Ac), it was as attracted toZ11–18:Ac as to an equal quantity ofZ11–20:Ac.D. melanogaster andD. simulans, however, responded to theZ11–18: Ac that they produced and did not respond toZ11–20:Ac.     

Sex pheromone components isolated from china corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis guenée (lepidoptera: Pyralidae), (E)- and (Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetates

The sex pheromone components from the corn borer spreading widely in China,Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée, have been identified as (E)-and (Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetates (E andZ12–14 Ac). The ratio ofE isomer toZ isomer was 53 47. Traps containing 1 × 10^–7–1 × 10^–5 g of these compounds captured more males than did live females or their tip extract (3–6 female equivalents). Tetradecyl acetate (14 Ac) was also identified in the tip extract. Its quantity was about 1.8 times the sum of the other two isomers. However, including this compound in its natural ratio in pheromone traps resulted in a decrease in trap catches (P< 0.05).     

Mating disruption of pea mothCydia nigricana F. (lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by a repellent blend of sex pheromone and attraction inhibitors

Synthetic sex pheromone of the pea mothCydia nigricana, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (E8,E10–12: Ac), was applied in polyethylene dispensers at a rate of 30 g/ha and 600 dispensers/ha in a 0.6-ha pea field. The release rate ofE8,E10–12: Ac was 140 mg/ha/day after six days, and 82 mg/ha/day after 20 days. Aerial concentrations ofE8,E10–12: Ac, as measured by a portable EAG apparatus, ranged from 2 ± 2 to 7 ± 3 ng/m³. The antennal signal was high and rather constant within pea canopy, but was lower and fluctuated strongly above canopy. Initially, >99% isomerically pureE8,E10–12: Ac was released, and male moths were attracted to dispensers. After nine days, isomeric blend composition had equilibrated to approx. 92%E8,E10–12: Ac and 8% of the inhibitory isomersE,Z-,Z,E-, andZ8,Z10–12: Ac. Males were then repelled from the pheromone-permeated field. Traps baited with 100 µgE8,E10–12: Ac caught 258 ± 133C. nigricana males/trap in the control, but no males at all in the disruption field.     

Sex pheromone ofEupoecilia ambiguella female: Analysis and male response to ternary blend

Sex gland extracts and washes ofEupoecilia ambiguella contain 10–20 ng/female of the primary sex pheromone componentZ-9-dodecenyl acetate (Z9–12Ac), accompanied by a number of related compounds. These areE-9-dodecenyl acetate (E9–12Ac),Z-9-dodecen-1-ol (Z9–12OH), saturated acetates of 12, 16, 18, and 20 carbons, and traces of a doubly unsaturated acetate, tentatively identified as a 9,11-dodecadienyl acetate. Octadecyl acetate predominates among the pheromone-related components, making up 1–2, occasionally 20–30 times the amount ofZ9–12Ac. The same compounds were also found in field-collected females and in effluvia.Z-9-Undecenyl acetate, which is a male attractant on its own, was also found in a sample of female effluvia. A hierarchy is observed in the ethological function of the pheromone components.Z9–12Ac is an attractant forE. ambiguella males. Dodecyl acetate (12Ac) is not attractive on its own but augments male catch when added to the main attractant. Addition of 18Ac augments attraction only when bothZ9–12Ac and 12Ac are present. Windtunnel tests demonstrate that 18Ac also raises the disorientation threshold, as previously shown for 12Ac. Other compounds, with the possible exception of additional saturated acetates, had either no effect on trap catch or, in the case ofE9–12Ac,Z9–12OH, andE-9,11-dodecadienyl acetate, were inhibitory above a certain level. A blend of roughly equal parts ofZ9–12Ac, 12Ac, and 18Ac provides the best attractant blend forE. ambiguella known to date.     

Geographic Variation in Sex Pheromone Blend of Hemileuca electra from Southern California

Differences were found in the pheromonally mediated mate location systems of two subspecies of Hemileuca electra, H. electra electra (Hee) and H. e. mojavensis (Hem), from southern California. Hem female pheromone gland extracts contained eight times as much (10E,12Z)-hexadeca-10,12-dienal (E10,Z12–16:Ald) and half as much hexadecyl acetate (16:Ac) as Hee extracts. Relative amounts of the other major component of the pheromone blends, (10E,12Z)-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-ol (E10,Z12–16:OH) did not differ between the two subspecies. In coupled gas chromatography–electroantennogram studies, responses of male antennae to 1:1:1 mixtures of the three principal components (E10,Z12–16:Ac, E10,Z12–16:OH, E10,Z12–16:Ald) also differed, with Hem antennae producing significantly larger responses to E10,Z12–16:Ald and significantly smaller responses to 10E,12Z–16:Ac than Hee. In field trials, male Hem were attracted to Hem females in preference to Hee females. Males of a second species, H. burnsi, which is sympatric with Hem but not Hee, also were attracted to females of Hee transported to their range. Field tests of blends of synthesized pheromone components confirmed that male Hem preferred E10,Z12–16:Ald ratios of 10–100% of the major component, E10,Z12–16:Ac, whereas males of Hee and H. burnsi responded optimally to ratios of 0.3–1% E10,Z12–16:Ald to E10,Z12–16:Ac. 16:Ac added to lures increased attraction of Hee but not Hem males. The data presented are consistent with reproductive character displacement, whereby the Hem subspecies has modified its pheromone-based mating system to reduce interference from sympatric H. burnsi.     

Identification of sex pheromone component of spruce budmothZeiraphera canadensis

The analyses of virgin female sex pheromone gland extracts by gas chromatography (GC), GC-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) followed by field-trapping experiments, have identified (E)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (E9–14:Ac) as the primary sex pheromone component of the spruce budmoth,Zeiraphera canadensis. Dosages of 1.0–100.0 g ofE9–14:Ac impregnated in rubber septa provide effective trap baits.Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Eucosminae.