Multicomponent Sex Pheromone in Agrotis segetum: Preliminary Analysis and Field Evaluation

Abstract

Abdominal rinses of calling females of the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum, were analyzed by ca­pillary gas chromatography combined with flame ionization detection, electroantennographic de­tection and mass spectrometry. Traces of a compound showing the retention time and high elec- trophysiological activity of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate could be detected only by electroantennography. In addition, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate, dodecyl acetate and a compound resembling (E)-5-dodecenyl acetate were found. A mixture of these 5 compounds was as attrac­tive in the field as were virgin females, while (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate, which was also found in the female, was a strong inhibitor. Wind tunnel and field experiments indicate that (Z)-5-decenyl acetate, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate and probably (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate are essential for attraction.