ABSTRACT
Sex pheromone components collected from femaleChristoneura retiniana included 11-tetradecenyl acetates and alcohols. The major component wasE-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14â¶Ac) with a lesser amount ofZ isomer necessary to induce male response. A 92â¶8 ratio ofE,Z11-14ⶠAc appeared optimal. The alcohol component was present at about 10% of the total pheromone mixture, and traps baited with acetates plus alcohol surpassed unmated females in their degree of attractiveness. Chemical analysis indicated a 9â¶:1 ratio of theE - Z isomers of 11-tetradecenyl alcohol (11-14â¶ol) pheromone components, although bait formulations containing a predominance of either theE orZ isomers were equally successful in field bioassays. Based on male response to traps,E- andZ11-14â¶Ac (92â¶8E - Z) are essential pheromone components for long-range sex attraction. The 11-14ⶠol enhanced attraction when added at 10% of the total pheromone blend.
ABSTRACT
Chemical analyses and field bioassays showed a mixture of 92% (E)- and 8% (Z)-11-tetradecenal to be the sex attractant pheromone of the western spruce budworm,Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman. Females were also found to emit small amounts of the corresponding acetates and alcohols, but these components were not active in the bioassay. In contrast, in whole female tip extracts, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate predominates, and aldehyde pheromone components are present in lesser quantities, suggesting that final biosynthesis of pheromone takes place just prior to or during emission. At release rates approximating that of the female (2-4 ng/hr), a 92â¶8Eâ¶Z blend of the synthetic aldehydes was at least as attractive as live females. Addition of the corresponding acetates or alcohols up to 50% of the aldehyde content did not significantly enhance or inhibit attraction. No major differences were apparent in pheromone production of females from a laboratory stock or from field collections from diverse geographic locations ranging from Colorado to British Columbia.
ABSTRACT
The sex pheromone of the Douglass-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough) has been isolated and identified as (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one. This compound and its E isomer have been synthesized and are highly potent in laboratory bioassays and field trials.