Environmental Entomology (1999) 28, 943-946

G.A. Pearson and Coby Schal (1999)
Electroantennogram responses of both sexes of grape root borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) to synthetic female sex pheromone
Environmental Entomology 28 (6), 943-946
Abstract: The effect of mating status and sex on antennal response to sex pheromone components was tested in the grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris). The grape root borer pheromone is a 99:1 blend of (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate (EZ) and (Z,Z)-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate (ZZ). Antennae of both virgin male and female moths exhibited similar dose–response patterns, with a threshold dosage of 1 µg of the EZ:ZZ blend on filter paper. Four treatments were tested at a dose of 5 µg on filter paper: EZ, ZZ, a blend of 99:1 EZ:ZZ, and the alcohol (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadien-1-ol (EZ-OH). Male antennae responded significantly to all compounds, regardless of mating status. Virgin female antennae responded significantly to all compounds, although their responses were significantly lower than the responses of male antennae. However, female antennae were relatively more responsive to EZ-OH than male antennae. Mated female antennae responded significantly to EZ and 99:1 EZ:ZZ. Pheromone detection by females has considerable implications to mating disruption strategies.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Coby Schal

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Vitacea polistiformis	Grapevine (Vitis)