Sex pheromones of Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera pyralidae): Influence of mating on pheromone titer and release rate

Abstract

Release rates and sex pheromone gland titers of pheromone components were determined for virgin and mated Ephestia cautella (Walker) females. During the 1st hr of a 10-hr scotophase, release rates of two previously identified sex pheromone components, ( Z, E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate and ( Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, were 13.6 and 2.6 ng/calling female/hr, respectively. These quantities exceeded, by approximately 150%, the quantities extracted from sex pheromone glands at the end of the 1-hr test period. This finding suggests that pheromone release is accompanied by pheromone synthesis during this period. Calling by mated females was reduced about 90% relative to virgin insects. Also, release rates and tiers of both pheromone components were significantly (75–99%) lower for mated females than for virgin insects. An alcohol, ( Z, E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol, was found in extracts that were obtained by vigorous extraction of entire abdominal tips of both virgin and mated females, but was not detected in female-produced volatiles nor in superficial rinses of excised abdominal tips. Alcohol titer decreased more than 90% after mating. Thus, neither virgin nor mated females released measurable quantities of this compound.