Female sex pheromone secreted by Carmenta mimosa (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a biological control agent for an invasive weed in Vietnam

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2012;76(11):2153-5. doi: 10.1271/bbb.120483. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

Larvae of the clearwing moth, Carmenta mimosa (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), bore into the trunk of Mimosa pigra L., which is one of the most invasive weeds in Vietnam. GC-EAD and GC-MS analyses of a pheromone gland extract revealed that the female moths produced (3Z,13Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate. A lure baited with the synthetic acetate alone successfully attracted C. mimosa males in a field test. While the addition of a small amount of the corresponding alcohol did not strongly diminish the number of captured males, a trace of the aldehyde derivative or the (3E,13Z)-isomer markedly inhibited the attractiveness of the acetate. The diurnal males were mainly attracted from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Lepidoptera / drug effects*
  • Lepidoptera / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mimosa
  • Pest Control, Biological / methods*
  • Plant Weeds*
  • Sex Attractants / metabolism*
  • Sex Attractants / pharmacology*
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Vietnam
  • Weed Control / methods*

Substances

  • Sex Attractants