title: Interaction of acetic acid and phenylacetaldehyde as attractants for trapping pest species of moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phenylacetaldehyde is a flower volatile and attractant for many nectar-seeking moths. Acetic acid is a microbial fermentation product that is present in insect sweet baits. It is weakly attractive to some moths and other insects, but can be additive or synergistic with other compounds to make more powerful insect lures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acetic acid and phenylacetaldehyde presented together in traps made a stronger lure than either chemical alone for moths of the alfalfa looper Autographa californica (Speyer) and the armyworm Spodoptera albula (Walker). However, this combination of chemicals reduced captures of the cabbage looper moth Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), the silver Y moth Autographa gamma (L.), MacDunnoughia confusa (Stephens) and the soybean looper moth Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) by comparison with phenylacetaldehyde alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate both positive and negative interactions of acetic acid, a sugar fermentation odor cue, and phenylacetaldehyde, a floral scent cue, in eliciting orientation responses of moths. This research provides a new two-component lure for the alfalfa looper A. californica and for the armyworm S. albula for potential use in pest management.
authors.affiliation: Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Wapato, WA 98951, USA. peter.landolt@ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Landolt
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tóth
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Meagher
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szarukán
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000187:drug effects*; D010675:Pheromones / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D000079:Acetaldehyde; D019342:Acetic Acid; C013192:phenylacetaldehyde