Sex Pheromone of the Oriental Fruit Moth Grapholitha molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract

The existence of a chemical female sex pheromone in the Oriental fruit moth has been demonstrated; it both attracts and sexually excites adult males. Males without antennae are neither attracted to, nor sexually stimulated by, the pheromone. Thus, the pheromone appears to be essential for reproduction. Active pheromone can be extracted with benzene from the tips of virgin female abdomens and bioassayed with males. The gland believed to produce the pheromone was located and examined histologically. It is now possible to investigate the chemical nature of the pheromone and its possible use in the control of the Oriental fruit moth.