Decadienoates : Sex pheromone components of nettle caterpillars Darna trima and D. bradleyi

Abstract

This study was undertaken to identify sex pheromone components of nettle caterpillars Darna trima and Darna bradleyi (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) whose larvae defoliate oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, in southeast Asia. Coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GCEAD) analyses of pheromone gland extracts revealed two antennally active compounds produced by female D. trima and two by female D. bradleyi. Molecular structures of these candidate pheromone components were identified by electron-impact and chemical-ionization mass spectrometry; retention-index calculations on DB-5, DB-23, and DB-210 columns; microanalytical treatments, as well as syntheses of "auxilliary" compounds that facilitated identification of the compounds. The compounds from D. trima were 2-methylbutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (A) and (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-7,9decadienoate (B); from D. bradleyi we identified methyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (C), and isobutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (D). In field experiments in Malaysia, (S)-2-methylbutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (SA) in combination with B proved to be essential and synergistic pheromone components for attraction of male D. trima. (R)-2-Methylbutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (RA) had no behavioral activity. Compound D singly attracted male D. bradleyi, but addition of C to D at a 1 : 10 ratio significantly enhanced attractiveness of the bait. Synthetic pheromone blends were more effective trap baits than unmated female moths and could be developed for monitoring populations of D. trima and D. bradleyi in Asian oil palm plantations.