Octyl Butyrate, an Effective Attractant for the Yellowjacket1

Abstract

Davis et al. (1969) determined that heptyl butyrate (HB) is a highly specific attractant for yellowjackets, especially for the common western species, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure). This lure appears to be superior to 2,4-hexadienyl butyrate, the compound used as the standard of comparison in the several studies by Davis et al. (1967, 1968) and by McGovern et al. (1970). Therefore, for the past 3 years, we have conducted tests designed to compare heptyl butyrate with another promising lure, octyl butyrate (OB).