title: Sex pheromone of browntail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhea (L.): synthesis and field deployment.
abstract: The browntail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhea (L.), is native to Eurasia, where periodic outbreaks result in defoliation of forest, shade, and ornamental trees. In addition to the damage caused by defoliation, human contact with larval urticating hairs often results in severe dermatitis. Hence, tools for monitoring and controlling the moth populations are desirable. The female-produced sex pheromone of the browntail moth was identified previously, but the synthesis had not been published. This paper reports the synthesis of the pheromone of the browntail moth, (7Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)-docosatetraenyl isobutyrate, using in a key step a Wittig olefination of (6Z)-13-(tetrahydo-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)tridecenal. Field trapping studies were conducted with rubber septa and string formulations of the pheromone and included dose-response, pheromone purity, and dispenser-aging trials. It was found that traps baited with 250 microg of pheromone of 91-94% isomeric purity (main impurity presumably being the 13E isomer) on rubber septa are suitable for monitoring moth populations during the entire flight season.
authors.affiliation: Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. ashot.khrimiaa@ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Ashot
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khrimian
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lance
authors.forename: Meier
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Leonhardt
authors.forename: Victor C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Mastro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000737:chemistry*; D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants; C010411:insect attractants