Evaluation of the synthetic major component of the sex pheromone of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae)

In wind-tunnel bioassays, dispensers loaded with 1 mug of the synthetic maj or component (3E,8Z,11Z)-3,8,11-tetradecatrienyl acetate (TDTA) of the sex pheromone emitted by Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) females were found to be highl y attractive to conspecific males. Field experiments were conducted to eval uate the efficacy of five trap designs. The best trap, baited with 100 mug of the synthetic sex pheromone caught on average 1200 males per trap per ni ght, while those baited with virgin females caught only 201 males. The male response to this pheromone is restricted to the same early-morning time wi ndow during which females exhibit calling behavior. The high biological act ivity of the synthetic pheromone suggests that it could be useful for pest monitoring and in mating disruption.