Volatiles from apple (Malus domestica) eliciting antennal responses in female codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae): Effect of plant injury and sampling technique

The antennal responses of codling moth females, Cydia pomonella, to volatil es from apple branches with green fruits were recorded by electroantennogra phy coupled to gas chromatography. The antennae strongly responded to 4,8-d imethyl-1,3(E),7-nonatriene, linalool, beta -caryophyllene, (E)-beta -farne sene, germacrene D, (Z,E)-alpha -farnesene, (E,E)-alpha -farnesene and meth yl salicylate. These compounds were all present in volatile collections on Porapak Q from both living and cut branches. Analysis by the solid phase mi croextraction technique (SPME) showed that the emission of some electrophys iologically active compounds increased after branches had been cut, especia lly 4,8-dimethyl-1,3(E),7-nonatriene, linalool and (E,E)-alpha -farnesene. The identification of apple volatiles eliciting antennal responses is the f irst step towards the identification of compounds mediating host-finding an d oviposition in codling moth females.