Sex pheromone components of the sandthorn carpenterworm, Holcocerus hippophaecolus

J Chem Ecol. 2005 Jan;31(1):39-48. doi: 10.1007/s10886-005-0972-6.

Abstract

Extracts of female sex pheromone gland of the carpenterworm moth, Holcocerus hippophaecolus Hua, a pest of sandthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. were found to contain (E)-3-tetradecenyl acetate (E3-14:Ac), (Z)-3-tetradecenyl acetate (Z3-14:Ac), (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14:Ac), the corresponding alcohols, E3-14:OH, Z3-14:OH, Z7-14:OH, and (E)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (E9-14:Ac). Electroantennographic (EAG) analysis of these chemicals and their analogs demonstrated that Z7-14:Ac elicited the largest male EAG response, followed by E3-14:Ac. In field trials, traps baited with either Z7-14:Ac or E3-14:Ac alone caught no male moths, whereas a combination of these two components in a 1:1 ratio caught more males than control traps. Addition of Z7-14:OH and Z3-14:OH or the alcohols plus E9-14:Ac did not enhance trap catches. We conclude that the sex pheromone of H. hippophaecolus is composed of Z7-14:Ac and E3-14:Ac. Optimal ratios and doses of these two components, and the possible role of other minor components, remain to be determined.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / chemistry
  • Animals
  • China
  • Exocrine Glands / chemistry
  • Exocrine Glands / physiology
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Male
  • Moths / chemistry
  • Moths / physiology*
  • Sense Organs / physiology*
  • Sex Attractants / analysis
  • Sex Attractants / chemistry*
  • Tissue Extracts / chemistry

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Sex Attractants
  • Tissue Extracts