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This paper describes behavioural changes elicited in Caryedon serratus by some synthesized hexadecanoic acid ester derivatives, which can be effectively used for monitoring pest populations thereby reducing the risk of pests becoming established in stores. Six hexadecanoic acid ester derivatives were synthesized. Choice and no-choice experiments with different concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg l−1) of derivatives against C. serratus revealed significant (p

The electroantennogram recording technique (EAG) was used to study the olfactory sensitivity of Apanteles obliquae (Hym., Braconidae), a gregarious larval endoparasitoid of Spilosoma obliqua (Walker) (Lep., Arctiidae), to 25 general plant volatiles belonging to alcohol, aldehyde and terpenoid groups and also to volatiles from the host and plant-host complex. The EAG data indicated different olfactory sensitivity between the sexes, not only to individual plant volatiles but also to the volatiles from host and plant-host complex. Females were found to be more responsive than males. However the synthetic sex pheromone blend of the host insect elicited similar EAG responses in both sexes. The EAG data of the present study is correlated with the reported behaviour observed in other parasitoids.