Sex Pheromone of the Female Artichoke Plume Moth, Platyptilia carduidactyla 12

Abstract

( Z )-11-Hexadecenal was identified from heptane washes of ovipositors of female artichoke plume moths, Platyptilia carduidactyla (Riley), by using glass open-tubular capillary chromatography, combined capillary chromatography-mass spectrometry, and microchemical degradation. The washes were free of detectable quantities of any other pheromone-like compounds (C ₁₂ to C ₁₈ olefinic acetates, alcohols, or aldehydes). In the field, insect traps baited with 100 μg of ( Z )-11-hexadecenal captured artichoke plume moth males at a greater rate than traps baited with virgin female moths. The chemical and field results together indicate that the long-range female sex pheromone of this species is a single component.