Identification of novel sex pheromone components from a tussock moth, Euproctis pulverea

Two EAG-active compounds were found in the solvent extract of abdominal tip s of virgin females of the tussock moth Euproctis pulverea (Leech) (Lepidop tera: Lymantriidae), and identified as (Z,Z,Z)-11,14,17-icosatrienyl isobut yrate and (Z,Z,Z)-11,14,17-icosatrienyl 4-methylvalerate at 190 and 80 ng f emale(-1), respectively, by means of GC-MS analyses and chemical derivatiza tion. Esters of n-butyric acid, n-valeric acid, n-hexanoic acid and a methy lheptanoic acid were also found at 3, 2, 0.4 and 9 ng female(-1) as minor E AG-inactive compounds. Two active compounds were also detected in the hexan e extract of female anal tufts at 17 and 6 ng female(-1), respectively. In Okinawa, the binary blend of the synthetic compounds attracted male moths t o the sticky traps, but single compounds did not. The significance of these findings in relation to parasitism by Telenomus euproctidis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is discussed.