Sex Pheromone Titer Correlated with Pheromone Gland Development and Age in the Redbanded Leafroller Moth, Argyrotaenia velutinana1,2

Abstract

The presence of 2 primary sex pheromone components [(E)- and (Z)-ll-tetradecenyl acetate] in female redbanded leafroller, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) pupae and adults of varying ages was monitored by gas-liquid chromatography. The titer of pheromone components, first detected in pupae one clay pre-eclosion, initially increased at a rate of ca. 18 ng/tip/day, and then peaked at ca. 80 ng/individual in 4-6-day-old adults before declining. The ratio of Z- to E-ll-14: Ac remained constant at ca. 92:8 in adult females of all ages. An excellent correlation was found between the titer of the extractable pheromone components and certain structural changes in pheromone gland cells, i.e., gland cell elongation, 1st appearance and prevalence of agranular endoplasmic reticulum, and the appearance, prevalence, and dissipation of lipid droplets. These findings are consistent with pheromone biosynthesis in A. vclutinana.