A pear-derived kairomone with pheromonal potency that attracts male and female codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.)

Ethyl (2E, 4Z)-2,4-decadienoate, a pear-derived volatile, is a species-spec ific, durable, and highly potent attractant to the codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), a serious pest of walnuts, apples, and pears worldwide. Th is kairomone attracts both CM males and virgin and mated females. It is hig hly attractive to CM in both walnut and apple orchard contexts, but has sho wn limited effectiveness in a pear orchard context. Rubber septa lures load ed with ethyl (2E, 4Z)-2,4-decadienoate remained attractive for several mon ths under field conditions. At the same low microgram load rates on septa, the combined gender capture of CM in kairomone-baited traps was similar to the capture rate of males in traps baited with codlemone, the major sex phe romone component. The particular attribute of attracting CM females renders this kairomone a novel tool for monitoring population flight and mating-ov ipositional status, and potentially a major new weapon for directly control ling CM populations.