Ada S. Hill

Sex Attractant of the Codling Moth: Characterization with Electroantennogram Technique

trans-8, trans-10-Dodecadien-1-ol is a sex attractant of the codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella. Antennal responses (electroantennograms) to a series of monounsaturated compounds were used in determining the location and configuration of the two double bonds. The synthetic compound is very attractive to male codling moths in the field.

Two sex pheromone components of the tobacco budworm moth, Heliothisvirescens

Abstract Two compounds were isolated from female Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) extracts and identified as cis -9-tetradecenal and cis -ll-hexadecenal. Together they elicit intense male H . virescnes response in laboratory tests and have attracted males in the field. Although cis -ll-hexadecenal is an H . zea sex pheromone, no evidence was obtained for cis -9-tetradecenal in H . zea .

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 60∶40∶4∶200 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 90∶10∶1 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.

Sex pheromone components of the redbanded leafroller,Argyrotaenia velutinana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Secondary pheromone components of the redbanded leafroller from female moth extracts have been identified as dodecyl acetate andtrans-11-tetradecenyl acetate (t11–14∶Ac). The ratio of t11–14∶Ac to the primary pheromone componentcis-11-tetradecenyl acetate wasca. 9∶91 in abdominal tip extracts and 12∶88 in female effluent collections, whereas the optimal ratio for attraction in field test was 6∶94 in the spring flight and 6–10∶94-90 in the summer flight. Dodecyl acetate was collected from calling females in ratios to the 14-carbon acetates as high as 5∶:4; in field tests these chemicals were the most attractive in ratios of 3∶2 and 2∶1.

Identification of two components of the sex pheromone of the moth,Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae).

Two compounds, (E)-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate and (E,E)-9,11-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate, have been identified in extracts of females of the lightbrown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana (Walker). The two compounds are active as a coalitive pair and are present in extracts of females in a ratio of about 20∶1.

Sex pheromone of the saltmarsh caterpillar moth,Estigmene acrea

Three compounds have been identified as components of the sex pheromone emitted by females of the saltmarsh caterpillar moth,Estigmene acrea (Drury). These are (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienal (I), (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienal (II), and (Z,Z)-3,6-cis-9,10-epoxyheneicosadiene (III). In female tip extract they were found in a ratio of 1∶6∶25, respectively, and in trapped female effluvia the ratio was 1∶6∶27, respectively. Combinations of III with either I or II elicited sustained upwind flight in a wind tunnel, but none of these compounds by themselves did so. There is evidence that the antennal acceptor site for III is chiral.

Sex pheromone of the orange tortrix moth,Argyrotaenia citrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Female orange tortrix,Argyrotaenia citrana (Fernald), abdominal tip extracts, and effluvia were analyzed, and two pheromone components were identified ascis-11-tetradecenal (c11–14∶ALD) andcis-11-tetradecenyl acetate (c11–14∶Ac). Female extracts contained such very low quantities of c11–14∶ALD relative to c11–14/∶Ac that the aldehyde was frequently undetectable, whereas female effluvia contained these compounds in a ratio of ca. 15∶1. Field attractancy tests showed that traps baited with c11–14∶ALD were attractive, whereas c11–14∶Ac possessed no intrinsic attractiveness. Additionally, traps containing c11–14∶ALD in a range of ratios to the component c11–14∶ Ac (5∶1 to 1∶10) are more competitive forA. citrana males than are live female traps. The females produce purecis isomers (<0.5%trans), and addition of >5% t11–14∶ALD (the geometric isomer of the primary component) reduces attractancy, whereas addition of t11–14∶Ac (the geometric isomer of the secondary component) apparently does not affect attractancy significantly unless c11–14∶Ac is absent.

Sex pheromone components of the omnivorous leafroller moth,Platynota stultana

A mixture oftrans- andcis-11-tetradecenyl acetates have been found in omnivorous leafroller moth female tip extracts in a ratio of 88∶12, respectively. In the field they are the most attractive to male omnivorous leafroller moths in a ratio of 94∶6. Field attractancy can be increased by addition of small quantities (0.2–2.0%) of mixtures oftrans- andcis-11-tetradecenyl alcohols, indicated to be present in female tip extracts in a ratio of 88∶12, respectively.

Nantucket pine tip moth Rhyacionia frustrana: identification of two sex pheromone components.

Two compounds identified as components of the sex pheromone system ofRhyacionia frustrana are (E)-9-dodecen-1-yl acetate (I) and (E)-9,11-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (II), which were found in female gland extracts in the ratio of 96∶4, respectively. The identifications were based on chemical and instrumental analyses, electroantennogram studies, and field trapping tests. The optimum ratio for trapping maleR. frustrana is the range of 95∶5 to 97.5∶2.5 (I∶II), when dispensed from rubber septa at a loading of ca. 1000/μg/lure. In addition to these two compounds, evidence was obtained for the presence of dodecan-1-ol and (E)-9-dodecen-1-ol in female tip extracts and in female effluvium, and for dodecan-1-yl acetate in female tip extracts.

Sex pheromone components of the variegated leafroller moth,Platynota flavedana

Female tip extracts of the variegated leafroller moth,Platynota flavedana (Clemens), were analyzed and found to contain a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol and (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol (9∶1), as well as a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (2-3∶1). Small amounts of tetradecen-1-ol and tetradecyl acetate probably are also present. In the field, a mixture of the two alcohols (84∶16,E∶Z ratio) attracted significantly more male moths of this species than any other mixture tested. The data indicate that the acetates are probably not used as pheromone components.