Attraction of Harrisina americana and Acoloithus falsarius Males (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) to (R)-(−)-2-butyl-(Z)-7-tetradecenoate1

Abstract

Males of two species of Zygaenidae, the grapeleaf skeletonizer, Harrisina americana (Guerin), and Acoloithus falsarius Clemens, were attracted to ( R )-(−)-2-butyl-( Z )-7-tetradecenoate in field trapping tests. Presence of the ( S )-(+) enantiomer in racemic 2-butyl-( Z )-7-tetradecenoate appeared to reduce trap catches of males of both species. Pure ( R )-(−)-2-butyl-( Z )-7-tetradecenoate may be useful as an attractant for monitoring emergence of grapeleaf skeletonizer moths and their population cycles in grape vineyards.