Journal of Chemical Ecology

, Volume 7, Issue 6, pp 1011–1022 | Cite as

Identification of a sex pheromone ofHeliothis subflexa (GN.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and field trapping studies using different blends of components

  • P. E. A. Teal
  • R. R. Heath
  • J. H. Tumlinson
  • J. R. McLaughlin
Article
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Abstract

Eight compounds were isolated from the sex pheromone gland ofHeliothis subflexa (Gn.) and identified as hexadecanal, (Z)-9-hexadecenal, (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-7-hexadecen-1-ol acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecen-1-ol acetate, (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecen-1-ol, and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol. Although the whole blend was found to be an effective male attractant, the deletion of alcohols from the blend increased trap captures considerably. Further, although the binary mixture of (Z)-9-hexadecenal and (Z)-11-hexadecenal caught some maleH. subflexa, significant increases in captures were noted when the three acetate components were included in the blend.

Key words

Sex pheromone Heliothis subflexa Lepidoptera Noctuidae reproductive behavior field trapping capillary chromatography 
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Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corporation 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • P. E. A. Teal
    • 1
    • 2
  • R. R. Heath
    • 1
  • J. H. Tumlinson
    • 1
  • J. R. McLaughlin
    • 1
  1. 1.Insect Attractants, Behavior, and Basic Biology Research LaboratoryAgricultural Research, Science and Education Administration, USDAGainesville
  2. 2.Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of Florida under a cooperative agreement with the Insect Attractants, Behavior, and Basic Biology Research LaboratoryGainesville

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