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Sex phermone components of mulberry looper,Hemerophila atrilineata butler (lepidoptera: Geometridae)

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Abstract

(6Z-9S, 10R)-Epoxy-octadecene (SR-1) and (3Z, 6Z-9S, 10R)-epoxy-octadecadiene (SR-2) are sex pheromone components of the mulberry looper (MBL),Hemerophila atrilineata Butler. Compounds extracted from female MBL pheromone glands were identified by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry. In field experiments in China,SR-2,RS-2, or both combined were hardly attractive, butSR-2 in combination withSR-1 attracted significant numbers of MBL males. Synergistic behavioral activity ofSR-1 plusSR-2, but not of corresponding antipode mixtures, indicates enantiospecificity of MBL pheromone communication. Because blends of racemic and enantiospecific (SR)1 plus2 were similarly attractive, racemic1 plus2 may have potential for mass trapping or confusion of MBL males in commercial mulberry plantations.

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Tan, ZX., Gries, R., Gries, G. et al. Sex phermone components of mulberry looper,Hemerophila atrilineata butler (lepidoptera: Geometridae). J Chem Ecol 22, 2263–2271 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02029545

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02029545

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