Abstract
Gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses of pheromone gland extracts of female nettle caterpillars, Setora nitens, revealed four compounds that consistently elicited responses from male moth antennae. Retention indices on three fused silia columns (DB-5, DB-23, and DB-210) of two EAD-active compounds were almost identical to those of (E)-9-dodecenal (E9–12 : Ald) and (E)-9,11-dodecadienal (E9,11–12 : Ald), two pheromone components previously identified in congeneric Setothosea asigna. However, comparative GC, GC-EAD, and GC-mass spectrometry of extracted S. nitens compounds and authentic standards revealed that the candidate pheromone components were (Z)-9-dodecenal (Z9–12 : Ald) and (Z)-9,11-dodecadienal (Z9,11–12 : Ald). The two other EAD-active compounds in pheromone gland extracts proved to be the corresponding alcohols to these aldehydes. In field-trapping experiments in Tawau, Malaysia, synthetic Z9–12 : Ald and Z9,11–12 : Ald at a 1 : 1 ratio, but not singly, attracted male S. nitens. Attractiveness of these two aldehydes could not be enhanced through the addition of their corresponding alcohols. Whether these differences in pheromone biology and chemistry between S. nitens and S. asigna are sufficient to prevent cross-attraction of heterospecific males or whether nonpheromonal mechanisms are required to maintain reproductive isolation is currently being studied.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Ang, B. N., Cheah, U. B., and Chew, P. S. 1998. Efficacy and residues of monocrotrophos and methamidophos following trunk injection for the control of Darna trima (Moore) (Lep: Limacodidae), a leaf-eating caterpillar of oil palm. Planter 73:303–316.
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.
Barlow, H. S. 1982. An Introduction to the Moths of South East Asia. The Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, 307 pp.
Chisholm, M. D., and Reed, D. W. 1985. 9,11-Dodecadienyl alcohols, acetates, or aldehydes as synthetic chemical sex attractants for four lepidoptera: Cosmopterix gemmiferella (Clemens), Dichrorampha simulana (Clemens), Tortricidia testacea (Packard), and an Acylis sp. J. Chem. Ecol. 11:1341–1347.
Cock, W., Godrey, H. C. J., and Holloway, J. D. 1987. Slug and nettle caterpillars: The biology, taxonomy and control of the limacodidae of economic importance on palms in South-East Asia. CABI, Oxford, 270 pp.
Gray, T. G., Slessor, K. N., Shepherd, R. F., Grant, G. G., and Manville, J. F. 1984. European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Identification of additional pheromone components resulting in an improved lure. Can. Entomol. 116:1525–1532.
Sasaerila, Y., Gries, G., Khaskin, G., Gries, R., and Hardi. 1997. Identification of sex pheromone components of nettle caterpillar, Setothosea asigna. J. Chem. Ecol. 23:2187–2196.
SAS/STAT. 1988. User's Guide, release 6.03 edition. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina.
Siburat, S., and Mojiun, P., JR. 1998. Incidence of leaf-eating caterpillars and control in PPBOP (Sabah). Planter 74:421–433.
Staddon, B. W., and Everton, I. D. 1980. Haemolymph of the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae): Inorganic constituents and amino acids. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 65A:371–374.
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.
Wood, B. J. 1987. Economic aspects and chemical control, pp. 223–235, in W. Cock, H. C. J. Godfrey, and J. D. Holloway (eds.). Slug and Nettle Caterpillar: The Biology, Taxonomy and Control of the Limacodidae of Economic Importance on Palms in South-East Asia. CABI, Oxford, 270 pp.
Wood, B. J., Hutauruk, C., and Liau, S. S. 1976. Studies on the chemical and integrated control of nettle caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), pp. 641–659, in D. A. Earp and W. Newall (eds.). International Development in Oil Palms. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur.
Yamada, S., Oshawa, M., Suzuki, T., Takayama, H. 1983. Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-, (E,Z)-and (E,E )-conjugated dienes via alkylation of 3-sulfolenes as key step. Chem. Lett. 7:1003–1006.
Zagatti, P., DE Chenon, D. R., Lettere, M., and MALOSSE, C. 1994. Sex pheromones of two limacodid moths, Setothosea asigna Van Eecke and Setora nitens Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae). Poster. International Conference on Insect Pheromones, Wageningen, 1994.
Zar, J. H., 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 718 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sasaerila, Y., Gries, R., Gries, G. et al. Sex Pheromone Components of Nettle Caterpillar, Setora nitens. J Chem Ecol 26, 1983–1990 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005513211225
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005513211225