Determination of electroantennographically active apple volatiles for the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) at biologically relevant concentrations

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is an important pest in apple and pear orchards throughout most of the world. The objective of this study was to broaden the understanding of how codling moth use host plant odors to locate oviposition sites. Volatile compounds were collected from immature apples and analyzed by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). The apple volatile samples were analyzed at increasingly diluted concentrations to determine the stimulatory compounds at the biologically relevant concentration of 1.0 apple hour equivalent per injection. At this concentration, five GC peaks consistently elicited antennal responses in gravid female codling moths. The structural identification of these EAD active compounds is ongoing.