Abstract
The cranberry blossom worm, Epiglaea apiata (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of cranberries in New Jersey. The female sexpheromone of this moth was identified as a blend of (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate (Z9-16:Ac), (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), and tetradecyl acetate (14:Ac) by gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The ratio of the components in extracts of the female pheromone gland was determined to be 65 : 2 : 33 of the Z9-16:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and 14:Ac, respectively. The double bond positions of the pheromone components were confirmed by dimethyl disulfide derivatization. In addition to the above three components, a mixture of C4–C10 aliphatic acids was present in both gland extracts and effluvia collections, and the acids elicited significant EAD responses from male moth antennae. However, addition of the C4–C10 aliphatic acids to the pheromone blend did not significantly increase trap captures. Three-hundred- and 1000-μg doses of a synthetic blend containing Z9-16:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and 14:Ac (65 : 2 : 33), on a rubber septum were more attractive to males than lower doses.
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Zhang, A., Polavarapu, S. Sex Pheromone of the Cranberry Blossom Worm, Epiglaea apiata . J Chem Ecol 29, 2153–2164 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025646804797
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025646804797