A female-specific attractant for the codling moth, Cydia pomonella, from apple fruit volatiles.
Host plant-derived esters were investigated as potential female-specific attractants for the codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), a key pest of apples worldwide. The behavioural effects of single and combined volatile compounds and of a natural odour blend were examined using olfactometry and wind-tunnel bioassays. The apple-derived volatile butyl hexanoate attracted mated females while it was behaviourally ineffective for males over a dosage range of more than three orders of magnitude in olfactometer assays. Female CM preferred this kairomone to the headspace volatiles from ripe apples. Both no-choice and choice trials in the wind-tunnel suggested that female moths might be effectively trapped by means of this compound. In contrast, headspace volatiles collected from ripe apple fruits as well as a blend containing the six dominant esters from ripe apples were behaviourally ineffective. A female-specific repellency was found for the component hexyl acetate in the olfactometer, but this ester had no significant effect in the wind-tunnel. Butyl hexanoate with its sex-specific attraction should be further evaluated for monitoring and controlling CM females in orchards.
Institute of Plant Sciences, Applied Entomology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
Alan
A
Hern
Silvia
S
Dorn
D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004952:Esters; D005260:Female; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry*; D009036:Moths / Q000502:physiology*; D009812:Odorants; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*
D004952:Esters; D012724:Sex Attractants