AN ATTRACTANT FOR THE BEET WEBWORM, LOXOSTEGE STICTICALIS (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractA sex pheromone was detected in female moths of the beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis (L.). Laboratory tests with synthetic compounds established that the male moths exhibited sexual responses to E-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate and they were attracted to this compound in the field. Mixtures of E-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate containing 5, 10, or 80% of the Z-isomer inhibited the attraction of the male beet webworm moths. Mixtures containing 5 or 10% of the Z-isomer attracted male moths of Lymnaecia phragmitella Stainton (Cosmopterygidae). Male moths of Hysterosia cartwrightana Kearfott (Phaloniidae) were also attracted to E-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate in traps placed at a height of 0.3 m, with only a few attracted to traps at 1 m as used for the beet webworm.