P. Ferrao et al., Sex pheromone of apple blotch leafminer, Phyllonorycter crataegella, and its effect on P-mespilella pheromone communication, J CHEM ECOL, 24(12), 1998, pp. 2059-2078
(Z)-10,(Z)-12-Tetradecadienyl acetate (Z10,Z12-14:OAc) and (E)-10,(E)-12-te
tradecadienyl acetate (E10,E12-14:OAc) are sex pheromone components of the
apple blotch leafminer (ABLM), Phyllonorycter crataegella. Compounds extrac
ted from female pheromone glands were identified by coupled gas chromatogra
phic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses, retention index cal
culations of BAD-active compounds, and by comparative CC-BAD analyses of fe
male ABLM-produced and authentic (synthetic) compounds. In field experiment
s in apple Malus domestica orchards in Connecticut, Z10,Z12-14:OAc done att
racted ABLM males. Addition of E10,E12-14:OAc to 210,Z12-14:OAc at 0.1:10 o
r 1:10 ratios enhanced attractiveness of the lure. Geometrical isomers Z10,
E12- or E10,Z12-14:OAc at equivalent ratios were behaviorally benign and sl
ightly inhibitory, respectively. In field experiments in British Columbia,
Z10,Z12-14:OAc plus E10,E12-14:OAc did not attract Phyllonorycter moths, su
pporting the contention that ABLM is not present in the fruit growing regio
ns of British Columbia. Z10,Z12-14:OAc added to P. mespilella pheromone, (E
)-4,(E)10-dodecadienyl acetate, strongly inhibited response by P. mespilell
a males. Recognition of the ABLM pheromone blend by allopatric P. mespilell
a males suggests a phylogenetic relationship and previous sympatry of these
two Phyllonorycter spp. If pheromonal attraction of ABLM males were recipr
ocally inhibited by P. mespilella pheromone, a generic Phyllonorycter phero
mone blend could be tested for pheromone-based mating disruption of the app
le leaf-mining Phyllonorycter guild in North America.