Identification of a sex pheromone ofHeliothis subflexa (GN.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and field trapping studies using different blends of components

Abstract

Eight compounds were isolated from the sex pheromone gland ofHeliothis subflexa (Gn.) and identified as hexadecanal, (Z)-9-hexadecenal, (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-7-hexadecen-1-ol acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecen-1-ol acetate, (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecen-1-ol, and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol. Although the whole blend was found to be an effective male attractant, the deletion of alcohols from the blend increased trap captures considerably. Further, although the binary mixture of (Z)-9-hexadecenal and (Z)-11-hexadecenal caught some maleH. subflexa, significant increases in captures were noted when the three acetate components were included in the blend.