Location of the pheromone producing gland in the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae)

Light microscopy, chemical analysis and wind tunnel experiments were used t o study the female sex pheromone gland in the European grapevine moth, Lobe sia botrana. Two distinct areas of the intersegmental membrane (ISM) betwee n the last abdominal segments VIII and IX are involved in pheromone product ion: the dorsal part and the ventral sac. Extracts of the dorsal part of th e ISM elicited a stronger male attraction response in the wind tunnel than extracts of the ventral sac. A combination of extracts elicited a higher ma le response than extracts made from either part of the ISM alone. Chemical analysis indicated presence of different compounds in both parts, with the main pheromone compound, (E)-7,(Z)-9-dodecadienyl acetate (E7,Z9-12Ac) occu rring only in the dorsal part of the ISM.