Sex pheromone of the peach aphid, Tuberocephalus momonis and optimal blends for trapping males and females in the field

Chemical analysis of the volatiles released by sexual females (oviparae) of the peach aphid, Tuberocephalus momonis, identified two ubiquitous aphid s ex pheromone components, (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone and (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepeta lactol, in a ratio of 4:1. In held trials in Korea, employing traps releasi ng the two compounds in differing ratios, the most effective sex pheromone blend for trapping male T momonis was found to be 85:15 nepetalactone-nepet alactol. Surprisingly, large numbers of presexual females (gynoparae) of th is species were also collected when the catching rates were highest. In add ition to T: momonis, over 20 other species of aphids were caught. particula rly Myzus lythri, M. dycei, Lachnus tropicalis and M. persicae, in descendi ng order of abundance.