Sex Pheromone of the Common Sheep Moth, Hemileuca eglanterina, from the San Gabriel Mountains of California

The sex pheromone of Hemileuca eglanterina from the San Gabriel Mountains, California, was determined to be a combination of E10,Z12-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-yl acetate, E10,Z12-hexadeca-10,12-dien-1-ol, and E10,Z12-hexadeca-10,12-dienal. Ratios of the compounds in extracts of female pheromone glands varied around a mean of 100 : 48 : 1.1 of the acetate, alcohol, and aldehyde, respectively. Field trials with synthetic compounds indicated that the optimum ratio of alcohol to aldehyde was 10 : 1 and that this ratio was more critical than the ratio of either compound to the acetate. A synthetic blend of 100 : 10 : 1 acetatendash;alcoholndash;aldehyde was effective at attracting male moths in the field. Additional compounds found in both extract and aeration samples failed to significantly increase trap catches of male moths, although some of these minor components elicited responses from male moth antennae in coupled gas chromatography–electroantennography studies.     

Sex Pheromone of the Saturniid Moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemileuca burnsi</Emphasis>, from the Western Mojave Desert of California

The sex pheromone blend of Hemileuca burnsi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) from the western Mojave Desert was determined to be a combination of (10E,12Z)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (E10,Z12-16:Ac), (10E,12Z)-hexadecadien-1-ol (E10,Z12-16:OH), (10E,12E)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (E10,E12-16:Ac), and hexadecyl acetate (16:Ac). (10E,12Z)-Hexadecadienal (E10,Z12-16:Ald) was tentatively identified in pheromone gland extracts based on electroantennographic responses and, when added to the above blend, it enhanced trap captures at low doses. The mean ratio of the compounds in extracts of pheromone glands was 100:23:232:14:0.4 (E10,Z12-16:Ac: E10,E12-16:Ac: 16:Ac: E10,Z12-16:OH: E10,Z12-16:Ald). Field trials indicated that although E10,Z12-16:Ac and E10,Z12-16:OH were essential for attraction, the two-component blend was not attractive by itself. Addition of the three other compounds was necessary for maximum attraction, rendering this the most complicated pheromone blend described for a Hemileuca species to date. Similarities between the sex pheromone of H. burnsi and that of the allopatric Hemileuca electra electra and differences between the blends of H. burnsi and that of the sympatric H. electra mojavensis support a case for reproductive character displacement in the pheromone communication channel of H. electra.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Field Tests of Synthetic Sex Pheromone of the Apple Leafminer Moth, Phyllonorycter ringoniella

The apple leafminer moth, Phyllonorycter ringoniella, is becoming a more serious insect pest on apple trees with four to five generations a year in Korea. In order to devise a forecasting method for more accurate estimation of their numbers and development timing, the sex attractant was studied. Various ratios, from 10:0 to 0:10, of the two components, (Z)-10-tetradecenyl acetate (Z10–14:Ac) and (E,Z)-4,10-tetradecadienyl acetate (E4,Z10–14:Ac), identified from the sex pheromone gland (Jung and Boo, 1997), were tested for attractivity in terms of behavioral response (taxis, approach, and landing) against P. ringoniella males in a wind tunnel. The lure with Z10–14:Ac/E4,Z10–14:Ac in a ratio of 4:6 elicited the highest response in two (taxis and approach) measurement categories. For eliciting landing behavior, the two blends of 5:5 and 4:6 were best. The single component, Z10–14:Ac, elicited taxis behavior, but a combination of two chemicals was needed for eliciting all three behaviors. In the field, male attraction to various lure mixtures in Pherocon IC traps was usually greater than attraction to virgin females. The best field activity was in the lure baited with a 4:6 ratio of Z10–14:Ac and E4,Z10–14:Ac. Similar results were obtained from tests conducted in a net house. This optimum ratio for attracting P. ringoniella males in Korea is different from those reported in Japan (10:3) or China (7:3 to 6:4). The isomer E10–14:Ac neither improved nor depressed the number of catches when added at up to 10% of the total mixture to lures of the two components in the 4:6 ratio. The attractivity of the lures increased with higher amounts of the pheromones, up to 10 g in the wind-tunnel experiment and 5 mg in the apple orchard. The number of males captured was not significantly different among traps installed at 0.3, 1.5, or 2 m above the ground, or among wing, delta, or water traps. A rubber septum dispenser impregnated with 1 mg of the 4:6 mixture maintained its field attractivity for up to eight weeks.     

Heritable Variation in the Sex Pheromone of the Almond Moth, Cadra cautella

The sex pheromone of the female almond moth, Cadra cautella, constitutes a highly variable signal. Age and period of the L/D cycle had significant effects on the variation in titers of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9,E12-14:Ac) and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac) and the ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac. Across age classes, minimum and maximum mean titers (ng +/- SE) of Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac ranged from 8.7 +/- 0.46 to 21 +/- 1.0 and from 2.0 +/- 0.14 to 2.9 +/- 0.15, respectively; the mean ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac ranged from 5.2 +/- 0.21 to 11 +/- 0.40. The titers of Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac and the ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac were highest at the onset of the scotophase and lowest at the onset of the photophase. Similarly, the titer of Z9,E12-14:Ac and the ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac were highest in females sampled 1 d postemergence and declined over all age classes. The titer of Z9-14:Ac increased from day 1 to day 2, and then declined to levels equivalent to day 1. Analysis of pupal and adult mass demonstrated a positive correlation (r = 0.874, P < 0.001); however, the titer of neither Z9,E12-14:Ac or Z9-14:Ac nor the ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac were significantly correlated with pupal mass. Age-related variations in pheromone titer and ratios were heritable. The narrow-sense heritability of the observed variation in 1-d-old females, 1 hr into the scotophase is 1.2 +/- 0.32, 0.75 +/- 0.24, and 0.46 +/- 0.17 for the titer of Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac and the ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac, respectively. A significant additive genetic correlation was observed between that of Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac, but not between that of either Z9,E12-14:Ac or Z9-14:Ac and the ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac. The results of the genetic analyses suggest that the traits of titer of Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac have a greater potential to respond to selection than the trait of ratio of Z9,E12-14:Ac to Z9-14:Ac.     

Sex Pheromone of Apple Blotch Leafminer, Phyllonorycter crataegella, and Its Effect on P. mespilella Pheromone Communication

(Z)-10,(Z)-12-Tetradecadienyl acetate (Z10,Z12–14:OAc) and (E)-10,(E)-12-tetradecadienyl acetate (E10,E12–14:OAc) are sex pheromone components of the apple blotch leafminer (ABLM), Phyllonorycter crataegella. Compounds extracted from female pheromone glands were identified by coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses, retention index calculations of EAD-active compounds, and by comparative GC-EAD analyses of female ABLM-produced and authentic (synthetic) compounds. In field experiments in apple Malus domestica orchards in Connecticut, Z10,Z12–14:OAc alone attracted ABLM males. Addition of E10,E12–14:OAc to Z10,Z12–14:OAc at 0.1:10 or 1:10 ratios enhanced attractiveness of the lure. Geometrical isomers Z10,E12- or E10,Z12–14:OAc at equivalent ratios were behaviorally benign and slightly inhibitory, respectively. In field experiments in British Columbia, Z10,Z12–14:OAc plus E10,E12–14:OAc did not attract Phyllonorycter moths, supporting the contention that ABLM is not present in the fruit growing regions of British Columbia. Z10,Z12–14:OAc added to P. mespilella pheromone, (E)-4,(E)-10-dodecadienyl acetate, strongly inhibited response by P. mespilella males. Recognition of the ABLM pheromone blend by allopatric P. mespilella males suggests a phylogenetic relationship and previous sympatry of these two Phyllonorycter spp. If pheromonal attraction of ABLM males were reciprocally inhibited by P. mespilella pheromone, a generic Phyllonorycter pheromone blend could be tested for pheromone-based mating disruption of the apple leaf-mining Phyllonorycter guild in North America.     

Female Sex Pheromone of a Carpenter Moth, Cossus insularis (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

This study describes the identification of a sex pheromone component of a cossid moth, Cossus insularis. Coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) analysis of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) collections of volatiles released by live female moths showed that two compounds elicited EAG responses from the antennae of male moths. These compounds were identified as (E)-3-tetradecenyl acetate (E3-14:Ac) and (Z)-3-tetradecenyl acetate (Z3-14:Ac) by mass spectral analysis and retention index comparisons with synthetic standards. The ratio of E3-14:Ac and Z3-14:Ac was 95:5 in the effluvia of a female. In field bioassays, sticky traps baited with blends of E3-14:Ac and Z3-14:Ac showed that E3-14:Ac is an essential component of the pheromone. However, the role of Z3-14:Ac is unclear, because E3-14:Ac as a single component was as attractive to male moths as blends of E3-14:Ac and Z3-14:Ac, including the 95:5 blend released by live female moths.     

Geographic Variation in Sex Pheromone of Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, in Japan

Geographic variation in the sex pheromone of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), was surveyed in populations sampled at four locations ranging from 39.7°N to 32.9°N in Japan. The sex pheromone of the three northern populations was composed of (E)- and (Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetates with a mean E proportion of 36–39%. The southernmost population (Nishigoshi) had the same components but with a significantly higher E composition of 44%. The frequency distribution of the E ratio in the Nishigoshi population exhibited a small peak near 38% and a major peak near 46%. A family-wise analysis of the sex pheromone of this population confirmed that there were two distinct phenotypes regarding the E ratio. An 46% E strain inhabits southern parts of Japan, in addition to an 38% E strain, which seems to be predominant in other regions of Japan.     

Chemical, Electrophysiological, and Behavioral Investigations on the Sex Pheromone of Lackey Moth, Malacosoma neustrium

The lackey moth Malacosoma neustrium (L.) (Lepidoptera Lasiocampidae) is a common pest of many forest and cultivated broadleaf trees. Analysis by GC-EAD of gland extracts and female effluvia showed the presence of two active peaks that were characterized as (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienal (E5,Z7-12:Ald) and (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienol (E5,Z7-12:OH) according to their GC retention times, mass spectra, and electroantennographic activity. (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienyl acetate (E5,Z7-12:Ac) was also detected in the gland extracts. The average amounts of E5,Z7-12:Ald, E5,Z7-12:OH, and E5,Z7-12:Ac extracted from an abdominal tip were 113.2 +/- 22.0 ng, 29.9 +/- 6.2 ng, and 11.6 +/- 2.0 ng, respectively. In the effluvia from single females, on the average, 1.9 +/- 0.7 ng/min of aldehyde and 0.3 +/- 0.1 ng/min of alcohol were collected. In wind tunnel tests, male behavioral sequences elicited by E5,Z7-12:Ald alone or in 3:1 and 9:1 blends with the corresponding alcohol were similar to those evoked by one female equivalent of sex pheromone gland extract. Field trapping experiments showed that E5,Z7-12:Ald is essential to attract male moths. On adding E5,Z7-12:OH to E5,Z7-12:Ald in 1:3 and 1:9 ratios, male attraction slightly increased whereas in a 1:1 ratio, the attractiveness of E5,Z7-12:Ald was reduced.     

Potential for Use of Synthetic Sex Pheromone for Mating Disruption of the Olive Pyralid Moth, Euzophera pinguis

The potential for pheromone-based mating disruption of the olive pyralid moth (OPM), Euzophera pinguis, in olive groves was investigated during the second flight period in small-plot trials in 2002. The female of this species emits a blend of (9Z,12E)-tetradecadien-1-ol and (9Z,12E)-tetradecadienyl acetate, which were synthesized for field tests. Mating disruption efficacy in 0.8-ha trials was evaluated using two parameters: reduction of male capture in pheromone traps and reduction of infestation in infestation-prone sites. White rubber septa containing 10 mg of pheromone blend as disruptant were applied at a density of 50 septa/ha for each treatment. Mean catches of E. pinguis males in pheromone traps were greatly reduced (> 95%) in pheromone-treated plots relative to similar traps placed in control plots. In addition, significant reductions were recorded (35-40%) in the oviposition and infestation levels during pheromone treatment. The total amount of pheromone blend released from disruption dispensers during the field trials was estimated to average 5.4 mg/ha/day, over 56 days.     

Identification of Sex Pheromone of Adzuki Bean Borer,Ostrinia scapulalis

By means of gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and a series of bioassays, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11–14:OAc) and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11–14:OAc) at a ratio of 100:3 were identified as the female sex pheromone of the adzuki bean borer,Ostrinia scapulalis. The average amounts ofZ11–14: OAc andE11–14:OAc in a single sex pheromone gland were 6.6 ± 2.4 ng and 0.2 ± 0.1 ng, respectively. In a wind-tunnel bioassay, the binary blend ofZ11- andE11–14:OAc elicited almost the same male behavioral responses as did virgin females and sex pheromone gland extract. In field trapping experiments, rubber septa impregnated with the binary blend (50 g/septum) attracted more males than virgin females. The sex pheromone ofO. scapulalis thus turned out to be similar to that of theZ-type European corn borer,O. nubilalis, in both components and their ratio.     

Synergistic Sex Pheromone Components of White-Spotted Tussock Moth, Orgyia thyellina

In 1996, the exotic white-spotted tussock moth (WSTM), Orgyia thyellina (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand. Because establishment of WSTM would threaten New Zealand's orchard industry and international trade, eradication of WSTM with microbial insecticide was initiated. To monitor and complement eradication of WSTM by capture of male moths in pheromone-baited traps, pheromone components of female WSTM needed to be identified. Coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection analysis of pheromone gland extract revealed several compounds that elicited responses from male moth antennae. Mass spectra of the two most EAD-active compounds suggested, and comparative GC-MS of authentic standards confirmed, that they were (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one (Z6–11-one) and (Z)-6-heneicosen-9-one, the latter termed here thyellinone. In field experiments in Japan, Z6–11-one plus thyellinone at a 100:5 ratio attracted WSTM males, whereas either ketone alone failed to attract a single male moth. Addition of further candidate pheromone components did not enhance attractiveness of the binary blend. Through the 1997–1998 summer, 45,000 commercial trap lures baited with 2000 g of Z6–11-one and 100 g of thyellinone were deployed in Auckland towards eradication of the residual WSTM population.Dedicated to my dear mother in honor of her 75th birthday     

Sex Pheromone of the Dogwood Borer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synanthedon scitula</Emphasis>

The sex pheromone of female dogwood borers (DWB) Synanthedon scitula (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) was determined to be an 88:6:6 ternary blend of (Z,Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate (Z,Z-3,13-ODDA), (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate (E,Z-2,13-ODDA), and (Z,E)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate (Z,E-3,13-ODDA) by gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The major sex pheromone component, Z,Z-3,13-ODDA, was attractive as a single component. A blend of Z,Z-3,13-ODDA with 1–3% of E,Z-2,13-ODDA (binary blend) was more attractive than the single component. A third component, Z,E-3,13-ODDA, was sometimes observed in GC–EAD analyses, and enhanced attraction to the binary blend in some field bioassays. Lures containing 1 mg of binary and ternary blends attracted 18 and 28 times more male DWB moths, respectively, than caged virgin females in field trials. Attraction was strongly antagonized by addition of as little as 0.5% of E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate (E,Z-3,13-ODDA). In a period of 12 wk in 2004, more than 60,000 males were captured in sticky traps baited with synthetic pheromone blends in six apple orchards in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Lure longevity trials showed that ∼76% of the pheromone remained in rubber septum lures after 12 wk in the field.     

Sex Pheromone of the Persimmon Fruit Moth, Stathmopoda masinissa: Identification and Laboratory Bioassay of (4E, 6Z)-4,6-Hexadecadien-1-ol Derivatives

Three electroantennogram (EAG)-active components were detected by gas chromatography coupled to an electroantennographic detector (GC–EAD) analysis of a hexane extract of the pheromone glands of the persimmon fruit moth, Stathmopoda masinissa. These compounds were identified as (4E,6Z)-4,6-hexadecadienal (E4,Z6-16:Ald) and the corresponding acetate (E4,Z6-16: OAc) and alcohol (E4,Z6-16:OH) by mass spectral, GC retention time (RT), and microchemical test data. The characteristic base peak of the aldehyde at m/z 84 provided a crucial piece of information suggesting the possibility of a 4,6-diene structure. The (4E,6Z)-isomer elicited the strongest EAG responses among the four geometrical isomers of each synthetic 4,6-hexadecadienyl compound. In a laboratory bioassay, only E4,Z6-16:OAc elicited male moth behavioral activity significantly different from the control; the activity of the acetate was not affected by addition of the aldehyde and alcohol. A preliminary field trial confirmed that E4,Z6-16:OAc as a single component attracted male moths. The possible roles of E4,Z6-16:Ald and E4,Z6-16:OH as components of lures for field use remain to be determined.     

Identification, Synthesis, and Field Testing of the Sex Pheromone of the Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella

The citrus leafminer is an important vector of citrus canker in many of the major citrus production areas of the world. (7Z,11Z)-Hexadecadienal was reported as a sex attractant for this insect in the 1980s, based on trap catches during pheromone screening trials in Japan. However, attempts to reproduce this work in other areas of the world have not been successful. We report here that (7Z,11Z)-hexadecadienal is only one component of the pheromone, with the other critical component being the analogous trienal, (7Z,11Z,13E)-hexadecatrienal. Both compounds were identified in the effluvia from live female moths by coupled gas chromatography (GC)-electroantennography using nonpolar and polar GC columns, and the identifications were confirmed by comparisons of mass spectra with those of authentic standards. Stereoisomers of the two compounds, and a number of analogs, were synthesized to confirm the identifications. In field trials, neither compound alone was attractive to male moths, but blends of the two were highly attractive, with thousands of insects being caught per trial. Addition of the isomeric (7Z,11Z,13Z)-hexadecatrienal inhibited attraction to the two-component blend. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorized users. This paper and the preceding paper (Leal et al.) were submitted within a few days of each other. The editors and the authors agreed that they should be published in tandem.     

Identification Of Sex Pheromone Components Of The Painted Apple Moth: A Tussock Moth With A Thermally Labile Pheromone Component

The sex pheromone of the painted apple moth, Teia anartoides (Lymantriidae) was investigated using GC-EAD and GC-MS analysis, derivatization, TLC analysis, and field cage and field trapping bioassays. The major sex pheromone components were identified as (6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-dien-11-one and (6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-diene. Other minor components of pheromone gland extracts included (6Z)-9R,10S-epoxyeicos-6-ene, (6Z)-9R,10S-epoxyhenicos-6-ene, (6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-dien-11-ol, (6Z)-henicos-6-en-11-one, and (6Z, 8E)-henicosa-6,8-dien-11-one, but the roles of these minor components remain equivocal. In field cage and field experiments, a blend of all seven identified components [(6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-dien-11-one (relative amount 100), (6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-diene (100), (6Z)-9R,10S-epoxyeicos-6-ene (5), (6Z)-9R,10S-epoxyhenicos-6-ene (10), (6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-dien-11-ol (5), (6Z)-henicos-6-en-11-one (1), and (6Z,8E)-henicosa-6,8-dien-11-one (25)] was as attractive to males as calling females, but tests with blends of the major component(s) with subsets of the minor components did not produce consistent results that unequivocally showed the various minor components to be critical components of the active blend. (6Z,9Z)-henicosa-6,9-dien-11-one is thermally labile and rearranges to (6Z,8E)-henicosa-6,8-dien-11-one and other products at ambient temperature, rendering the synthetic pheromone lure inactive after two days of field exposure.     

Sex Pheromone of the Leaf-Miner Phyllonorycter Platani: (Z10)-Tetradecenyl Acetate

A female produced sex pheromone of the leaf-miner pest Phyllonorycter platani (Staudinger) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was identified as (Z10)-tetradecenyl acetate. Field trapping trials confirmed activity of this compound. The presence of the geometrical isomer (E10)-tetradecenyl acetate, a pheromone component of other Phyllonorycter species, reduced trap efficacy.     

Identification, Synthesis, and Field Evaluation of the Sex Pheromone from the Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella

Using male antenna as the sensing element, three electroantennographic detection (EAD)-active peaks were detected from pheromone gland extracts of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella. Based on gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-infrared data, the semiochemicals were tentatively identified as a novel pheromone, (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal, a previously identified attractant, (Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal, and (Z)-7-hexadecenal in a ratio of 30:10:1, respectively. Identification was confirmed with synthetic compounds, which gave retention times identical to those of the natural products on three capillary columns with polar and nonpolar phases. While traps baited only with the previously identified attractant alone did not catch any males in Brazil, binary and tertiary mixtures with the major constituents caught significantly more male moths than traps baited with five virgin females. This paper and the following paper (Moreira et al.) were submitted within a few days of each other. The editors and the authors agreed that they should be published in tandem.