3Z,6Z,9Z-TRIENES AND UNSATURATED EPOXIDES AS SEX ATTRACTANTS FOR GEOMETRID MOTHS

Sex attractants for three species of geometrid moths were discovered during field screening of 3 Z,6 Z,9 Z-trienes, and the racemic monoepoxydienes derived therefrom. Male Probole amicaria moths were attracted to lure blends containing 6 Z,9 Z-cis-3,4-epoxy-nonadecadiene (6 Z,9 Z-cis-3,4-epoxy-19:H) with 3 Z,9 Z-cis-6,7-epoxy-19:H. 3 Z,6 Z,9 Z-19:H was positively identified and 6 Z,9 Z-cis-3,4-epoxy-19:H was tentatively identified in extracts of female pheromone glands by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sicya macularia male moths were attracted by blends of 3 Z,6 Z,9 Z-19:H and 6 Z,9 Z-cis-3,4-epoxy-19:H. The attractive response was strongly antagonized by small amounts of 3 Z,9 Z-cis-6,7-epoxy-19:H, or by larger amounts of 3 Z,6 Z-cis-9,10-epoxy-19:H. Lomographa semiclarata male moths were attracted by a variety of lures containing 3 Z,6 Z,9 Z-17:H as a major component. 3 Z,6 Z,9 Z-17:H was tentatively identified in a female pheromone gland extract by GC-EAD. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.