Triunsaturated hydrocarbons, sex pheromone components ofCaenurgina erechtea

Abstract

(Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-Eicosatriene and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-heneicosatriene have been identified as components of the sex pheromone of the noctuid,Caenurgina erechtea (Cramer), the forage looper. Structural assignments were made on the basis of spectroscopic and chromatographic data and were confirmed by comparison with synthetic material. Flight tunnel behavioral studies demonstrated that either component, when tested individually, would elicit wing fanning responses in males; however, mixtures of the two components increased this response and were essential for initiation of upwind flight and landing. In field experiments, traps baited with either component alone captured few or no adult forage looper males while those baited with both components captured several target males.