Pheromone-triggered orientation flight of male moths can by disrupted by trifluoromethyl ketones

In a wind tunnel trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) have been found to disrupt the orientation flight of male moths to pheromone sources (virgin females or synthetic pheromone). This is demonstrated by comparison of the flight p arameters of the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis and the Mediterran ean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides, which had been topically treated with TFMKs, with those calculated for untreated insects. Inhibition occurred in all types of behavior and that of the source contact has been quantified an d found to be dose-dependent. The same effect has also been noticed in Medi terranean corn borer males flying to an attraction source consisting of mix tures of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (8), a closely related a nalogue of the major component of the pheromone, and the natural pheromone blend. The most active TFMKs are those closest in structure to the natural pheromone, along with those chemicals which easily hydrate in solution, suc h as the beta-thiosubstituted derivatives. Along with the previously report ed reduction of catches in the field, our results suggest the possible appl ication of these chemicals in future new pest control strategies.