Solid Phase Micro Extraction Technique Used for Collecting Semiochemicals. Identification of Volatiles Released by Individual Signalling Phyllonorycter sylvella Moths

Abstract

Abstract The SPME (solid phase micro extraction) technique was used in the collection of volatiles released by calling females of the 4 -6 mm long tentiform leafminer moth Phyllonorycter sylvella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae). The volatiles released by the calling P. sylvella females were identified by GC-M S as a mixture of Z10-tetradecenyl acetate (92 %), E10-tetrad ecen yl acetate (2 %) and Z8 -tetradecenyl acetate (6 %). The amount of volatiles released by one calling female during three hours and collected on a polydimethylsiloxane fibre, was as large as the amount extracted from the glands of 20 females. The SPME technique gives the opportunity of continuously following the release of behaviour mediated signals from weak scented living organisms.