SEX-PHEROMONES OF 2 NEW-ZEALAND TORTRICID MOTHS, CNEPHASIA-JACTATANA AND MEROPHYAS-LEUCANIANA

The sex pheromones of two endemic New Zealand tortricid species were i nvestigated. Females of the first species, Cnephasia jactatana, a pest of kiwifruit, were found to produce (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11- 14:OAc) in their sex pheromone gland. When tested in the field, this c ompound on its own elicited significant catches of male C. jactatana. However, the addition of even very small amounts (0.3%) of the geometr ic isomer, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc), to Z11-14:OAc vir tually suppressed trap catches. The sex pheromone of the second specie s, Merophyas leucaniana, was found to consist of a mixture of Z11-14:O Ac, E11-14:OAc, tetradecyl acetate, and (Z)-11-tetradecenol. This spec ies is morphologically very similar to the congeneric species, M. divu lsana, the Australian lucerne leafroller. The sex pheromone of M. leuc aniana is also very similar to that of the so-called ''Z-type'' of M. divulsana, which is now found in New Zealand. The pheromone components of C.jactatana and M. leucaniana are discussed in relation to those f ound in other tortricids.