Abstract- Chemical, electrophysiological analysis and field trials were used to identify the female sex pheromone of Copitarsia incommoda (=C. consueta)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest of several crops in Latin America. Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis showed the presence of two EAD- active compounds produced by females. The compounds were identified as Z9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14: Ac) and Z9-tetradecenol (Z9-14:OH) by GC-EAD and comparative GC-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of the female-produced candidate pheromone and synthetic standards. In addition to Z9-14: Ac and Z9-14: OH, GC-MS analysis of abdomen washing and entrained volatiles showed the presence of three additional compounds. These compounds were identified as dodecyl acetate (12:Ac), tetradecyl acetate (14: Ac) and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene. The electroantennogram (EAG) evaluation of the all five compounds at different doses, showed that 14: Ac and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene were electrophysiologically inactive. Field trials with traps baited with single, binary and tertiary blends of 12:Ac, Z9-14: Ac and Z9-14: OH, showed that none of the three components were attractive to males when tested as singled components. However, the combination of Z9-14: ac and Z9-14: OH was critical for female attraction.
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