Evidence of a Sex Pheromone in the Omnivorous Leaf Roller, Platynota stultana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Laboratory and Field Testing of Male Attraction to Virgin Females

Abstract

Laboratory and field tests conducted with virgin females of the omnivorous leaf roller moth, Platynota stultana Walsingham, demonstrated the presence of a female sex attractant in this insect. Males attracted by virgin females showed typical sexual behavioral responses including raising antennae, vibrating the wings, and walking rapidly toward females. The tests showed a significant difference between the attractiveness of 1 and 5 females. However, in the laboratory, there was little difference between the attractiveness of 5, 10, and 20 females. Two-day-old females were most attractive, followed by 3-, 1-, and 4-day-old females. Six-day and older females were almost nonattractive. In the field conditions, 98% of the males attracted were trapped between 6 and 10 PM. The response of males to virgin females started about ½ hour before sunset and continued until 1½ hours after sunset with a peak at 45 minutes after sunset.