Research has established a link between eastern tent caterpillars and Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome, a disease that has an enormous impact on the horse industry in Kentucky. A thorough understanding of the communication system of the moths can aid in effective monitoring of the adult population. We determined the diel periodicity of calling behavior and changes in the sex pheromone glands’ content of (E,Z)-5-7-dodecadienal and (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienol. Females call and produce pheromone within hours of emergence and at regular intervals for their short adult lives. Females called more and for longer periods on their first night than older females.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Lasiocampidae Malacosoma americanum (Eastern tent caterpillar)
Keywords: periodicity, sex attractant
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