Field Confirmation of (Z)-9-Heptacosene and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-Tricosatriene as Key Sex Pheromone Components of Korean Conogethes punctiferalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

Recently, insufficient attractiveness of Conogethes punctiferalis Guenée adult males to sex pheromone, -(E)-10-hexadecenal and (Z)-10-hexadecenal, has been reported. To identify the other essential components of sex pheromone, male and female body extracts were analyzed. Two hydrocarbon components, (Z)-9-heptacosene (Z9-27:HC) and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-tricosatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9-23:HC), were identified from only female body extract. There was a significant difference in the electroantennogram (EAG) response of male antennae to Z3,Z6,Z9-23:HC and Z9-27:HC at all test concentrations compared to the response to the hexane control. In field attraction testing, the addition of Z9-27:HC and Z3,Z6,Z9-23:HC to binary aldehyde pheromones significantly increased trap catches of C. punctiferalis male adults. Based on the female and male body extract analysis and field attraction test, Z9-27:HC and Z3,Z6,Z9-23:HC were determined to be other essential sex pheromone components of the Korean C. punctiferalis population. No significant difference was observed in the number of male captures between the bucket trap and delta trap. Pheromone traps with a color close to yellow shade attracted more male adults than traps with a color close to blue shade.

Keywords: Conogethes punctiferalis; Z3; Z6; Z9–23:HC; Z9–27:HC; new sex pheromone; yellow peach moth.