title: Identification and field testing of additional components of female sex pheromone of African armyworm,Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
abstract: Ovipositor washings from virgin femaleSpodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography (GC) linked to a male electroantennogram (EAG). GC retention times of the two major EAG responses observed were consistent with their assignment as (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate, as previously identified. However, three other EAG responses were also noted that had GC retention times consistent with (Z)-9-tetradecenal, (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-o 1, and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate. The components were present in the ratio of 100∶5∶1.5∶3.5∶4, respectively. Further analysis of the ovipositor washings by GC linked to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) confirmed these findings and indicated the presence of a sixth component consistent with (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate present at 2 % of the major component. In field tests carried out in Kenya, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate was the only newly identified component to enhance the catch of the original two-component mixture when presented in their natural ratio. The addition of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol reduced catch, while (Z)-9-tetradecenal and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate had no apparent effect.
authors.affiliation: Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, ME4 4TB, Chatham, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cork
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murlis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Megenasa