Behavioral Responses of Male Trichoplusia ni in a Sustained-Flight Tunnel to the Two Sex Pheromone Components

Abstract

Male Trichoplusia ni were tested individually in a sustained-flight tunnel to different amounts and ratios of the two sex pheromone components, ( Z )-7-dodecenyl acetate ( Z 7-12:Ac) and dodecyl acetate (12:Ac). The primary component, Z7-12:Ac, was responsible for activation and initiation of upwind oriented flight. The secondary component, 12:Ac, elicited no behavioral response when presented alone. When 12:Ac was combined with Z7-l2:Ac in the natural blend, 93:7 Z7-l2:Ac and 12:Ac, at the optimum dosage tested, the number of upwind flights to the source, the duration of close range flight, contact and attempted copulations with the source were significantly higher than in response to Z7-l2:Ac alone. Males exhibited individual variation in duration of various phases of the response, but no significant dosage effects were observed with respect to initiation of activation or duration of wing fanning and upwind flight in moths that flew to within 25 cm of the source.