Attraction of moth species of Tortricidae,Gelechiidae, Geometridae,Drepanidae, Pyralidae,and Gracillariidae families to field traps baited with conjugated dienes

Field surveys of a series of conjugated diunsaturated straight-chain primary alcohols, acetates, and aldehydes (dienes), including the 3,5-dode-cadienyl, 8,10-dodecadienyl, 3,5-tetradecadienyl, 8,10-tetradecadienyl, 9,11-tetradecadienyl, and 10,12-tetradecadienyl primary alcohols, acetates, and most aldehydes, and the related monounsaturated straight-chain primary alcohols, acetates, and aldehydes (monoenes), including the 3-dodecadienyl alcohol and acetates, attracted the following species from the title families. Diene attractants have been demonstrated for at least onePhyllonorycter sp.,Chionodes lugubrella (Fabr.),Leptostales ferruminaria (Zell.),Drepana bilineata (Pack.),Pyrausta fodinalis (Led.),Notocelia purpurissatana Heinr.,Phaneta alterana Heinr. Monoene attractants were demonstrated forHedya separatana (Kft.),Cydia fletcherana (Kft.),Barbara mappana Free.,Ancylis burgessiana (Zell.),Ancylis nubeculana Clem.,Evippe prunifoliella Cham.,Phlyctaenia coronata tertialis (Gn.), aChionodes sp., a Gelechiidae sp., and an unidentifiedPhyllonorycter sp. Replicated field experiments showed attraction-inhibition relationships for most species. Electroantennagram data are presented forLeptostales ferruminaria andDrepana bilineata.     

Behavioral and electrophysiological activity of (Z,E)-7,9,11-dodecatrienyl formate,a mimic of the major sex pheromone component of carob moth,Ectomyelois ceratoniae

The behavioral and electrophysiological activity of a mimic [(Z,E)7,9,11-dodecatrienyl formate] of the major sex pheromone component [(Z,E) 9,11,13-tetradecatrienal] of carob moth was assessed. Wind-tunnel bioassays demonstrated that the formate was as effective as natural gland extracts, and significantly more effective than the trienal alone or than the trienal blended with two minor pheromone components, in evoking source contact. Dispensers containing the formate were as effective as trienal-containing blend lures in attracting males when placed at the same dosage in traps in date gardens. Single-cell recordings showed that at least two olfactory neurons, differentiated by spike amplitude, are located in the long trichoid hairs on male carob moth antennae. Dose-response relationships indicated that puffs from cartridges loaded with at least 0.1 g of the formate or of the trienal were necessary to elicit spiking by either the small or the large-spiking cell within a sensillum. Cross-adaptation studies demonstrated that both compounds stimulated the same large-spiking cell. The frequencies of spikes evoked from the large cell when stimulated by emissions from 0.1-g, 1-g, or 10-g cartridges of either the formate or the trienal were not significantly different, suggesting that the formate is an effective mimic of the trienal at the antennal receptor cell level.     

Sex pheromone biology and behavior of the cowpea weevilCallosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Female cowpea weevils,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), emitted a pheromone which excited males. Pheromone release began soon after emergence and continued for one week. Synchronization of pheromone release with calling behavior was demonstrated. Mating reduced pheromone release but not male response. Pheromone obtained by aeration collection was utilized for determining a quantitative dose-response relationship.Mention of a commercial product does not constitute an endorsement by the USDA.Visiting scholar on leave from Shanghai Institute of Entomology, PRC.     

Sex pheromone components of the geometrid mothsLobophora nivigerata andEpirrhoe sperryi

3Z,6Z,9Z-Nonadecatriene (3Z,6Z,9Z-19:H; other abbreviations follow the same pattern) has been identified as a female sex pheromone component of the geometrid mothEpirrhoe sperryi (H.). 3Z,6Z,9Z-18:H and 6Z,9Z-19:H were also identified in pheromone gland extracts but had no apparent biological activity. 3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H was tentatively identified as a female sex pheromone component of a second geometrid species,Lobophora nivigerata (Wlk.). Attraction of male moths to this compound was strongly synergized by the addition of small amounts of 6Z,9Z-21:H to lures.Issued as NRC No. 32478.     

Structure-activity relationship observations for European corn borer moth pheromone and fluoro analogs via computer molecular modeling

Structure-activity relationship (SAR) observations were made for theZ-type European corn borer moth pheromone, (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, and a series of analogs with fluorination in the alcohol portion of the molecule. The attractiveness of these analogs and the pheromone was compared to the electrostatic potential map of the molecular mechanics (MM) minimized lowest energy conformation for each compound. A critical range of electrostatic potential on the protons of the double-bond appears to be essential for optimal acceptor fit and attractiveness.     

Field trapping of threeEpinotia species with (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Field survey of the geometrical isomers of 7,9-dodecadienyl alcohol, acetate, and aldehyde has resulted in attractants and inhibitors for three species of tortricid moths.Epinotia silvertoniensis and an undescribedEpinotia sp. were all attracted to (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate. AnotherEpinotia sp. was attracted to (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate and (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadien-1-ol. Electroantennogram data and inhibition patterns for one of theEpinotia sp. are also reported. In addition,E. criddleana was attracted to lures containing (E)-9-dodecenyl acetate.     

Field response ofDendroctonus brevicomis toexo-brevicomin,frontalin, and myrcene released at two proportions and three levels

Racemicezo-brevicomin, racemic frontalin, and myrcene were released at two proportions (51400 and 111), each at three levels (1 ×, 10 ×, and 100 ×) in a ponderosa pine forest in central California. The 51400 mix was based on an estimate of the relative amounts released from a ponderosa pine under attack by the western pine beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis. MoreD. brevicomis were trapped at a source of the three compounds released at 51400 than were trapped at a source released at 111, at all three levels, but this difference was statistically significant only at the 1 × and 10 × levels. Sex ratio of trapped beetles and distribution of catch at the source of attractant and 5 m away apparently did not differ between relative release rates.Coleoptera: Scolytidae.Trade names are mentioned solely for information. No endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is implied.     

An economical synthesis of the major sex attractant of the oak leaf roller—cis-10-tetradecenyl acetate

The major sex attractant of the oak leaf roller (Archips semiferanus Walker),cis-10-tetradecenyl acetate (I), was synthesized in 55–62% overall yield by a highly economical route from inexpensive azelaic acid (II).Authorized as Paper No. 4779 in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Sex pheromone specificity as a reproductive isolating mechanism among the sibling speciesArchips argyrospilus andA. mortuanus and other sympatric tortricine moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

MaleArchips argyrospilus (Walker) were maximally attracted to a 60404200 admixture of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl, (E)-11-tetradecenyl, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl and dodecyl acetates. The identification of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, in addition to the other 3 components reported previously, is the first report of a 4-component pheromone system in moths.Archips mortuanus Kearfoot, a sibling species, was maximally attracted to a blend of the same components, but in a 90101 mix of the tetradecenyl acetates. Among a number of tortricine moths that co-occur on apples and other hosts in New York, British Columbia, and elsewhere, differences in diel rhythms of attraction and seasonal distribution are insufficient to maintain reproductive isolation. Although the attractant systems of these species often possess components in common, males are maximally attracted to a speciesspecific blend. In tortricine moths attraction specificity appears to be a paramount mechanism for species partitioning.     

Orientation ofMicroplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to green leaf volatiles: Dose-response curves

FemaleMicroplitis croceipes wasps were tested in a wind tunnel for their ability to orient to various concentrations of eight different green leaf volatile (GLV) substances [hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl propionate, and (Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate]. Overall, the esters elicited the greatest percentage of successful orientation flights, the alcohols elicited an intermediate response, and the aldehydes elicited a low response. The semilog dose-response curves were generally hill-shaped with high responses at medium release rates and low responses at high or low release rates. For the aldehydes, positive responses occurred at all GLV release rates between 0.01 and 100 nl/min. For some alcohols and esters, positive responses occurred at release rates as low as 1 pl/min and as high as 1μl/min. These data show thatM. croceipes wasps are strongly attracted to GLVs and are capable of orienting to GLV concentrations that would occur in nature when a caterpillar feeds on a green leaf. Hence, in nature, GLVs may be important clues, enablingM. croceipes to locate their hosts.