PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF (Z,E)-9,12-TETRADECADIENAL BY SEX-PHEROMONEGLANDS OF FEMALES OF PLODIA-INTERPUNCTELLA (LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE)

Extracts of sex pheromone glands obtained from females of Plodia inter punctella contained detectable amounts of (Z,E)-9, 12-tetradecadien-1- ol acetate (Z9, E12-14:Ac) and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol (Z9,E12-1 4: OH) 4 hr prior to the first scotophase after adult emergence. The a mount of pheromone increased during the first 4 hr of the scotophase a nd then declined to low levels during the subsequent photophase. Decap itation of females immediately after emergence, prior to expansion of the wings, inhibited production of pheromone during the subsequent 48 hr. Injection of extracts of the heads of 1-day-old females of P. inte rpunctella of partially purified extracts of the cephalic ganglia of f emales of the corn earworm moth into decapitated females stimulated pr oduction of both Z9,E12-14: Ac and Z9,E12-14:OH as well as production of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal (Z9,E12-14:Al). This aldehyde was subseq uently identified from extracts of pheromone glands obtained from natu rally calling females as well as from volatiles emitted by calling fem ales. Studies on the terminal steps in biosynthesis of the pheromone s howed that Z9,E12-14:OH was produced from the corresponding acetate an d that Z9,E12-14:Al was produced from the alcohol via the action of an oxidase(s).