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Identification, synthesis and activity of sex pheromone gland components of the autumn gum moth (Lepidoptera : Geometridae), a defoliator of Eucalyptus

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Author

  • MJ Steinbauer
  • Fredrik Östrand
  • TE Bellas
  • A Nilsson
  • F Andersson
  • E Hedenström
  • MJ Lacey
  • FP Schiestl

Summary, in English

The autumn gum moth, Mnesampela privata (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is native to Australia and can be a pest of plantation eucalypts. Field-collected and laboratory-reared female autumn gum moths were dissected to remove glands likely to contain components of the sex pheromone. Using gas chromatography (GC) and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), three compounds were identified from female extracts, namely (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene, 1-hexadecanol and 1-octadecanol (confirmed by comparison with synthetic samples). Nonadecatriene elicited an antennal response in male autumn gum moth during gas chromatographic analyses combined with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). In electroantennogram (EAG) recording male M. privata antennae responded to the nonadecatriene. Nonadecatriene was synthesised via Kolbe electrolysis, starting with (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid (linolenic acid) and propanoic acid or via an alternative four-step method also starting from linolenic acid. In field trials (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene proved attractive to male moths. Thus, we conclude that (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene is a sex pheromone component of autumn gum moth. This component has been identified in extracts from other geometrids in the same subfamily, Ennominae. However, to our knowledge this is the first example where (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene has been found in females and also proved attractive to male moths when presented on its own. Our results are discussed in relation to other geometrid pheromones.

Publishing year

2004

Language

English

Pages

217-223

Publication/Series

Chemoecology

Volume

14

Issue

3-4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Birkhäuser Verlag

Topic

  • Ecology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Pheromone Group

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1423-0445