Identification of sex pheromones of four economically important species in genusDendrolimus

Abstract

The female-produced sex pheromone ofDendrolimus superans was identified by gas chromatography (GC), coupled GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electroantennographic (EAG) studies and field tests as a blend of (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadienal (Z5,E7-12:Ald) and (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadien-1-ol (Z5,E7-12:OH). InD. kikuchii, (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (Z5,E7-12:OAc) and Z5,E7-12:OH were found by GC and GC-MS analyses. However, in EAG studies male antennae were more sensitive to Z5,E7-12:OAc and (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadien-l-yl propionate (Z5,E7-12:OPr) than Z5,E7-12:OH. ForD. spectabilis, Z5,E7-12:OH had been previously reported as the sex pheromone. However, in our studies, traps baited with Z5,E7-12:OH, Z5,E7-12:OAc and Z5,E7-12:OPr in a ratio of 1:1:1 caught three times more males than those baited with Z5,E7-12:OH alone. Relatively strong EAG responses were elicited from male antennae by Z5,E7-12:OH, Z5,E7-12:OAc and Z5,E7-12:OPr, but in addition to Z5,E7-12:OH, only very small amounts ofZ5,E7- 12:OAc was found in the pheromone gland. These facts suggest that Z5,E7-12:OAc is a pheromone minor components and Z5,E7-12:OPr is a sex attractant inD. spectabilis. ForD. tabulaeformis, Z5,E7-12:OH, Z5,E7-12:OAc and Z5,E7-12: OPr were found in extracts of pheromone glands of female moths, and the three compounds elicited strong EAG responses from antennae of male moths. These three compounds have been reported as a sex attractant ofD. tabulaeformisL and our data confirm their roles as components of the sex pheromone of this species. The role of blend components in antagonizing cross attraction between congeners is discussed.