The cranberry blossom worm, Epiglaea apiata (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of cranberries in New Jersey. The female sex pheromone of this moth was identified to be a blend of (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate (Z9-16:Ac), (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), and tetradecyl acetate (14:Ac) by gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ratio (v/v) of the components in extracts of the female pheromone gland was determined as a mean of 65 : 2 : 33 of the Z9-16:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and 14:Ac, respectively. The double-bond position of the pheromone was confirmed by dimethyl disulfide derivatization. In addition to the above three components, a mixture of C4-C10 aliphatic organic acids was present in both gland extracts and effluvia collections, and the acids elicited significant EAD responses from both sexes. Field trials with synthetic compounds indicated that the major component, Z9-16:Ac, was not attractive by itself; the minor component, Z9-14:Ac, was essential to trapping males. Addition of the saturated component, 14:Ac, to a blend of Z9-16:Ac and Z9-14:Ac caused a significant increase in trap catches. Addition of the C4-C10 aliphatic acids to a synthetic blend increased trap captures, but the numbers were not significantly different. A dose-response study indicated that a synthetic blend containing Z9-16:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and 14:Ac, in the ratio of 65 : 2 : 33, on a rubber septum was effective in attracting male moths in the field, but 300-µg and 1000-µg doses were significantly more attractive than the 100-µg dose.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Epiglaea apiata (Cranberry Blossomworm)
Keywords: Pheromone, monitoring
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