SEX-PHEROMONE COMPONENTS OF MULBERRY LOOPER, HEMEROPHILA-ATRILINEATA BUTLER (LEPIDOPTERA, GEOMETRIDAE)

(6Z-9S, 10R)-Epoxy-octadecene (SR-1) and (3Z, 6Z-9S, 10R)epoxy-octadec adiene (SR-2) are sex pheromone components of the mulberry looper (MEL ), Hemerophila atrilineata Butler. Compounds extracted from female MBL pheromone glands were identified by coupled gas chromatographic-elect roantennographic detection (CC-BAD) and CC-mass spectrometry. In field experiments in China, SR-2, RS-2, or both combined were hardly attrac tive, but SR-2 in combination with SR-I attracted significant numbers of MBL males. Synergistic behavioral activity of SR-1 plus SR-2, but n ot of corresponding antipode mixtures, indicates enantiospecificity of MBL pheromone communication. Because blends of racemic and enantiospe cific (SR) I plus 2 were similarly attractive, racemic 1 plus 2 may ha ve potential for mass trapping or confusion of MBL males in commercial mulberry plantations.