Pheromone-Mediated Flight by Male Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Flights and captures of male Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) were observed in a warehouse room containing pheromone traps baited with different doses and blends of ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol (ZETOH) and ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (ZETA). Flights were divided into two categories: preapproach and approach flight, the approach being differentiated from preapproach flight by the simultaneous occurrence of increased frequency and angle of turning, decreased net velocity, and net movement toward a trap. Approaches and captures were analyzed with respect to dose and blend. Alone, ZETOH failed to elicit responses significantly different from the control (zero dose), whereas ZETA elicited approaches and landings in traps. Significantly more landings and approaches occurred with blends of ZETOH:ZETA in a 2:8 ratio than with 4:6 or 6:4 blends, but the ratio of captures to approaches did not vary among blends. The frequency of approaches and captures increased with dose but the ratio of captures to approaches decreased when trap release rates exceeded 10 ng/h. Practical and theoretical implications of the results are discussed.