BIOSYSTEMATICS OF THE GENUS EUXOA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) XVI. (Z)-5-DECENYL ACETATE A SEX ATTRACTANT FOR THREE CLOSELY RELATED SPECIES, EUXOA DECLARATA, EUXOA CAMPESTRIS, AND EUXOA ROCKBURNEI

Abstract

AbstractThe three closely related species of Euxoa cutworm moths comprising the declarata group gave identical male antennal responses to synthetic C10 to C18 alkenyl derivatives. An extract and a solution of the volatile emissions from E. campestris females when fractionated by gas chromatography yielded a single EAG-active fraction whose elution corresponded to a C10 acetate. The active component was assigned (Z)-5-decenyl acetate based on its mass spectrum and capillary GC retention time and the EAG responses of campestris males to isomeric decenyl acetates. Field trials demonstrated (Z)-5-decenyl acetate attracted males of all three species although it was not as attractive as live females. Attraction was suppressed by (Z)-5-dodecenyl actate, (Z)-7-dodecenyl alcohol, and (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate.