Skip to main content
Log in

Sex Pheromone Components of Indian Gypsy Moth, Lymantria obfuscata

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Indian gypsy moth, Lymantria obfuscata (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), has been recognized as a distinct species since 1865 but closely resembles a diminutive form of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. We tested the hypothesis that the sex pheromones of L. obfuscata and L. dispar are similar. In laboratory mate acceptance studies, very few male L. dispar made copulatory attempts when paired with female L. obfuscata, suggesting that female L. obfuscata emit one or more pheromone components antagonistic to male L. dispar. In coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) analyses of pheromone gland extract of female L. obfuscata, (Z)-2-methyloctadec-7-ene (2Me-7Z-18Hy) and (7R,8S)-cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane [(+)-disparlure] were most abundant and elicited the strongest responses from male L. obfuscata antennae. In field experiments near Solan (Himachal Pradesh, India), 2Me-7Z-18Hy and (+)-disparlure in combination attracted more male L. obfuscata than did either component alone. This two-component sex pheromone contrasts with the single-component sex pheromone [(+)-disparlure] of L. dispar. The contrasting composition of the lymantriid communities inhabited by L. obfuscata and L. dispar may explain why 2Me-7Z-18Hy is a pheromone component in L. obfuscata and a pheromone antagonist in L. dispar and why (−)-disparlure reduces pheromonal attraction of male L. dispar but not male L. obfuscata.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arn, H., Städler, E., and Rauscher, S. 1975. The electroantennographic detector—a selective and sensitive tool in the gas chromatographic analysis of insect pheromones. Z. Naturforsch. 30C:722–725.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, A. G. M., Peña, M., and Willardsen, J. A. 1996. Total synthesis and structural elucidation of the antifungal agent Papulacandin D. J. Org. Chem. 61:1082–1100.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beeson, C. F. C. 1941. The ecology and control of the forest insects of India and the neighboring countries. Govt. India, p. 767.

  • Bell, R. A., Owens, C. D., Shapiro, M., and Tardif, J. R. 1981. Development of mass-rearing technology, pp. 599–633, C. C. Doane and M. L. McManus (eds.). The Gypsy Moth: Research Toward Integrated Pest Management. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tech. Bull. 1584, 747 pp.

  • Beroza, M., Punjabi, A. A., and Bierl, B. A. 1973. Disparlure and analogues as attractants for Lymantria obfuscata. J. Econ. Entomol. 66:1215–1216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bestmann, H. J., Frighetto, R. T. S., Frighetto, N., and Vostrowsky, O., 1988. Pheromone, 67. Synthese der Enantiomeren von (Z)-14-Methyl-8-hexadecenal [(Z)-Trogodermal], dem Pheromon einiger Trogoderma-Arten (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). Liebigs Ann. Chem. (9) 877–880.

  • Bierl, B. A., Beroza, M., and Collier, C. W. 1970. Potent sex attractant of the gypsy moth: its isolation, identification and synthesis. Science 170:87–89.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butani, D. K. 1979. Insects and Fruit. Periodical Export Book Agency, Delhi, India, p. 415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cahiez, G. and Marquais, S. 1993. Copper-catalyzed alkylation of organomanganese chloride reagents. Synlett 1993:45–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardé, R. T., Roelofs, W. L., and Doane, C. C. 1973. Natural inhibitor of gypsy moth sex attractant. Nature 241(5390):474–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardé, R. T., Doane, C. C., Baker, T. C., Iwaka, S., and Marumo, S. 1977a. Attractancy of optically active pheromone for male gypsy moth. Environ. Entomol. 6:768–772.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardé, R. T., Doane, C. C., Granett, J., Hill, A. S., Kochansky, J., and Roelofs, W. L. 1977b. Attractancy of racemic disparlure and certain analogues to male gypsy moths and the effect of trap placement. Environ. Entomol. 6:765–767.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clive, D. L. J. 1978. Modern organoselenium chemistry. Tetrahedron 34:1049–1132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chacko, M. J. and Singh, S. P. 1990. Studies on inter-specific competition, host range and ecology of parasites of Lymantria obfuscata in India and use of promising parasites for biological control of Lymantria spp. in India and the USA. PL-480- Project, Tech. Report, Apr. 2, 1985–April, 1, 1990, Final Tech. Report, Biol. Cont. Centre (NCIPM), Bangalore, India, p. 67.

  • Chacko, M. J., Singh, S. P., and Ramaseshiah, G. 1988. Studies on inter-specific competition, host range and ecology of parasites of Lymantria obfuscata in India and use of promising parasites for biological control of Lymantria spp. in India and the USA. PL-480- Project, Tech. Report, Apr. 2, 1985–April, 1, 1988, Biol. Cont. Centre (NCIPM), Bangalore, India, p. 31.

  • Chaudhry, G.-U., Chaudhry, M. I., and Khan, S. M. 1966. Survey of insect fauna of forests of Pakistan. Final Tech. Rept. Proj. No. A-17-FS-I, Pakistan Forest Inst., Peshawar, West Pakistan, p. 167.

  • Grant, G. G., Langevin, D., Liška, J., Kapitola, P., and Chong, J. M. 1996. Olefin inhibitor of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is a synergistic pheromone component of nun moth, L. monacha. Naturwissenschaften 83:328–330.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, T. G., Slessor, K. N., Shepherd, R. F., Grant, G. G., and Manville, J. F. 1984. European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buolina (Lepidoptera: Torticidae): Identification of additional pheromone components resulting in an improved lure. Can. Entomol. 116:1525–1532.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gries, G., Gries, R., Khaskin, G., Slessor, K. N., Grant, G. G., Liška, J., and Kapitola, P. 1996. Specificity of nun and gypsy moth sexual communication through multiple-component pheromone blends. Naturwissenschaften 83:382–385.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gries, G., Schaefer, P. W., Gries, R., Liška, J., and Gotoh, T. 2001. Reproductive character displacement in Lymantria monacha from Northern Japan? J. Chem. Ecol. 27:1163–1176.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gries, R., Khaskin, G., Gries, G., Bennett, R. G., King, G. G. S., Morewood, P., Slessor, K. N., and Morewood, W. D. 2002a. (Z,Z)-4,7-Tridecadien-(S)-2-yl acetate: sex pheromone of Douglas-fir cone gall midge, Contarinia oregonensis. J. Chem. Ecol. 28:2283–2297.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gries, G., Schaefer, P. W., Gries, R., Fan, Y.-B., Higashhiura, Y., and Tanaka, B. 2002b. 2-Methyl-(Z)-7-octadecene: sex pheromone of allopatric Lymantria lucescens and L. serva. J. Chem. Ecol. 28:469–478.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gries, R., Khaskin, G., Gotoh, T., Schaefer, P.W., and Gries G. 2005a. (7Z,9E)-2-Methyl-7,9-octadecadiene: a sex pheromone component of Lymantria bantaizana. J. Chem. Ecol. 31:879–891.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gries, R., Khaskin, G., Schaefer, P.W., Hahn, R., Gotoh, T., and Gries G. 2005b. (7R,8S)-cis-7,8-Epoxy-2-methyloctadec-17-ene: a novel trace component from the sex pheromone gland of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. J. Chem. Ecol. 31:49–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. L. 1992. Checklist of Indian Lymantriidae (Noctuoidea: Lepidoptera). Bull. Entomol. (New Delhi) 33(1/2):94–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, K. 1984. Discrimination and production of disparlure enantiomers by the gypsy moth and the nun moth. Physiol. Entomol. 9:9–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klimetzek, D., Loskant, G., Vité, J. P., and Mori, K. 1976. Disparlure: Differences in pheromone perception between gypsy and nun moth. Naturwissenschaften 65:581–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, T. P. 1974. Occurrence of Lymantria obfuscata Walker, the Indian gypsy moth, as a pest of cacao in South India. Current Sci. 43:395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linn, C. E., Jr. and Roelofs, W. L. 1995. Pheromone communication in moths and its role in the speciation process, pp. 263–300, in D. M. Lambert and H. G. Spencer (eds.). Speciation and the Recognition Concept. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masoodi, M. A. 1991. Biological studies on Lymantria obfuscata Walker (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Kashmir. Indian Forester 117:644–651.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masoodi, M. A., Trale, A. R., and Bhat, A. M. 1990. Suppression of Lymantria obfuscata Walker by sex pheromone trapping of males. Indian J. Entomol. 52:414–417.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur, R. N. 1964. Forest Entomology. In Entomology in India. Indian J. Entomol. pp. 437–455 (special number).

  • Miller, J. R., Mori, K., and Roelofs, W. L. 1977. Gypsy moth field trapping and electroantennogram studies with pheromone enantiomers. J. Insect Physiol. 23:1447–1454.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Misra, M. P. and Choudhuri, J. C. B. 1974. New pest and distributional records of Lymantria obfuscata Walker (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) on cashew from South India. Indian Forester 100:391–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, Y. and Mori, K. 1999. Pheromone synthesis, CXCVIII. Synthesis of (1S,2S,6S,10R)- and (1S,2R,6R,10R)-1,2,6,10-tetramethyldodecyl propanoate, the components of the sex pheromone of the pine sawfly, Microdiprion pallipes. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 1999:2175–2182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pino, P., Lardicci, L., and Centoni, L. 1959. Synthesis of (+)-(S)-3-Methyl-1-pentene. J. Org. Chem. 24:1399–1414.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Plimmer, J. R., Schwalbe, C. P., Paszek, E. C., Bierl, B. A., Webb, R. E., Marumo, S., and Iwakim, S. 1977. Contrasting effects of (+)- and (−)-enantiomers of disparlure for trapping native populations of the gypsy moth in Massachusetts. Environ. Entomol. 6:518–522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punjabi, A. A., Beroza, M., and Bierl, B. A. 1974. Trapping of Lymantria obfuscata with disparlure. Indian J. Ent. 36:125–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, K. A. and Kalra, A. N. 1944. Apple hairy caterpillar in the Simla Hills. Indian Farming 5:312–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramaseshiah, G. and Ramesh B. 1987. On the identity of a lymantriid defoliator of cashew and cocoa in South India. Curr.Sci. 56:1191–1192.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS/STAT. 1988. User’s Guide, release 6.03 edition, SAS Institute, Cary, NC.

  • Schaefer, J. P., Higgins, J. G., and Shenoy, P. K. 1973. Cinnamyl bromide. Org. Synth. Collect. Vol. 5:249–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, P. W., Gries, G., Gries, R., and Holden, D. 1999. Pheromone components and diel periodicity of pheromonal communication in Lymantria fumida. J. Chem. Ecol. 25:2305–2312.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schintlmeister, A. 2004. The taxonomy of the genus Lymantria Hübner, [1819] (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Quadrifina 7:1–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Den Dool, H. and Kratz, P. D. 1963. A generalization of the retention index system including linear temperature-programmed gas-liquid partition chromatography. J. Chromatogr. 2:463–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verma, T. D., Thakur, J. R., and Dogra, G. S. 1979. Outbreak of Indian gypsy moth, Lymantria obfuscata Wlk., on oak in Himachal Pradesh. Indian For. 105:594–597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 718 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Dharam Pal and Ravinder Sharma for field assistance, Girish Sharma and Amit Nath for guidance on use of suitable trapping sites, Devinder Singh for local transportation, Sanjeev Thakur for permission to run field experiments in the Kandaghat Forest Range, Gagandeep S. Hehar for logistical help, T. D. Verma and Prem Raj Gupta for information on L. obfuscata biology and behavior, Susan Barth for moth rearing, Mei-Keng Yang for elemental analyses, Stephen Takács for some statistical analysis, Eberhard Kiehlmann for review of the manuscript, and Jocelyn Millar and two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments. The research was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada—Industrial Research Chair to G.G., with Pherotech International Inc., SC Johnson Canada, and Global Forest Science (GF-18-2007-226; GF-18-2007-227) as industrial sponsors. Insects were maintained in SFU’s Global Forest Quarantine Facility, construction of which was completed with financial support from Global Forest Science.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerhard Gries.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gries, R., Schaefer, P.W., Hahn, R. et al. Sex Pheromone Components of Indian Gypsy Moth, Lymantria obfuscata . J Chem Ecol 33, 1774–1786 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-007-9328-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-007-9328-8

Keywords

Navigation