IDENTIFICATION OF SEX PHEROMONE COMPONENTS FOR TWO LEPIDOPTERAN DEFOLIATORS, THE OAK OLETHREUTID LEAFROLLER, PSEUDEXENTERA SPOLIANA (CLEMENS), AND THE ASPEN LEAFROLLER, PSEUDEXENTERA OREGONANA (WALSINGHAM)

Abstract

AbstractMoths of the genus Pseudexentera are early-season fliers that include three species of economic importance: P. spoliana (Clemens) on oak (Quercus), P. oregonana (Walsingham) on aspen (Populus), and P. mali Freeman on apple (Malus). GC and GC/MS analysis, EAG and behavioral bioassays, and field tests confirmed that Z10-16:Ac is an attractive sex pheromone component of female P. spoliana. Capillary GC analysis supported by GC/MS also indicated the presence of 16:Ac, Z10-16:OH, and 16:OH in pheromone extracts and there was tentative GC evidence for Z12-16:Ac. However, addition of these compounds to Z10-16:Ac in various blends did not enhance male attraction. The major sex pheromone component of female P. oregonana is Z8-14:Ac. There was also GC and GC/MS evidence for Z8-14:OH and tentative GC evidence for 14:Ac in the pheromone of this species. Their addition to Z8-14:Ac failed to increase moth catches in baited traps. Pseudexentera mali males were attracted by Z,Z-8,10-16:Ac, a previously reported sex pheromone of this species. Pheromone lures targeted for each species were not cross-attractive.