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Sex Pheromone of the Noctuid Moth, Tyta luctuosa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a Candidate Biological Control Agent of Field Bindweed.
- Source :
- Environmental Entomology; Feb2003, Vol. 32 Issue 1, p17-22, 6p, 3 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Laboratory studies were conducted to identify the sex pheromone of Tyta luctuosa (Denis and Schiffermuller), a Eurasian noctuid moth that has been imported and released to aid in control of field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis L. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, together with electroantennogram and windtunnel bioassays of male moths, two compounds, (Z)9-tetradecenal and (Z)-11-hexadecenal, were identified as the major pheromone components. Wholegland extracts contained these components, as well as two other major compounds, (Z)-9-tetradecanol and (Z)-11-hexadecanol. However, the two alcohols were not detected in airborne emissions of calling females. Ratios of Z9-14:ALD to Z11-16:ALD were markedly different for whole-gland extracts and airborne emissions (1:3 and 2:1, respectively). Also, although the total amount of the two compounds varied nearly eight-fold among individuals (22-167 ng, mean 75 ± 56 ng [SD]) in gland extracts, the Z9-14:ALD/Z11-16:ALD ratio was relatively constant (0.3 ± 0.15). On average, calling females released 94 ng of Z9-14:ALD and 45 ng Z11-16:ALD per hour, with a mean ratio of 2.2. In wind tunnel tests, 69% of males exhibited complete upwind flights and touched the stimulus source in response to a synthetic pheromone blend that mimicked the female-produced Z9-14:ALD/Z11-16:ALD airborne concentration and ratio, as compared with 82% and 50% in response to calling females and pheromone gland extracts, respectively. Tyta luctuosa adults are vagile, and both adults and larvae are cryptie in the field-factors that make recoveries of released insects unlikely. Therefore, our data will contribute to the development of a pheromone-based monitoring tool to help assess colonization and establishment of this potentially useful weed biological control agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- PHEROMONES
NOCTUIDAE
BINDWEEDS
BIOLOGICAL weed control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0046225X
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Environmental Entomology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10819745
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X-32.1.17