Identification of chemical compounds of the pheromone in different ages of female adults of the clearwing moth, Paranthrene diaphana Dalla Torre & Strand

Abstract

The clearwing moth, Paranthrene diaphana Dalla Torre & Strand (Lep.: Sesiidae) is one of the most destructive pests of willow trees in Tehran province which leads to dieback. In this study, female volatile compounds were identified. For this purpose, female volatile substances were extracted using Solid Phase Micro Extraction and then were identified using Head Space Chromatography method. Female insects were assessed separately at ages of 2–4, 4–6 and 6–8 days of preparation. Among the various compounds identified by GC/MS in the volatile compounds of female insect, 27 compounds were introduced while seven combinations have also been produced and released at all ages of insect which include: Pentadecane, Heptadecane, Dodecane, Tetradecane, Hexadecane, Eicosane and Tridecane. The peak area of curve (log scale) and frequency of these compounds, demonstrate that five combinations including: Tetradecane, Hexadecane, Tridecane, Eicosane and Dodecane are more important. In addition, five compounds including: Octadecane, Palmitic acid (Hexadecanoic acid), 9-Octadecenoic acid, Tricosane and Hexacosane have been released only from fourth to the eighth day of adult life. Therefore, it seems that female sex pheromone is a combination of these 12 compounds.