Journal of Chemical Ecology (1999) 25, 1091-1104

Gerhard Gries, J. Clearwater, R. Gries, G. Khaskin, S. King and P. Schaefer (1999)
Synergistic sex pheromone components of white-spotted tussock moth, Orgyia thyellina
Journal of Chemical Ecology 25 (5), 1091-1104
Abstract: In 1996, the exotic white-spotted tussock moth (WSTM), Orgyia thyellina (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand. Because establishment of WSTM would threaten New Zealand's orchard industry and international trade, eradication of WSTM with microbial insecticide was initiated. To monitor and complement eradication of WSTM by capture of male moths in pheromone-baited traps, pheromone components of female WSTM needed to be identified. Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection analysis of pheromone gland extract revealed several compounds that elicited responses from male moth antennae. Mass spectra of the two most EAD-active compounds suggested, and comparative GC-MS of authentic standards confirmed, that they were (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one (Z6-11-one) and (Z)-6-heneicosen-9-one, the latter termed here 'thyellinone'. In field experiments in Japan, Z6-11-one plus thyellinone at a 100:5 ratio attracted WSTM males, whereas either ketone alone failed to attract a single male moth. Addition of further candidate pheromone components did not enhance attractiveness of the binary blend. Through the 1997-1998 summer, 45,000 commercial trap lures baited with 2000 µg of Z6-11-one and 100 µg of thyellinone were deployed in Auckland towards eradication of the residual WSTM population.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Gerhard Gries, Paul W. Schaefer

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.
	Orgyia thyellina		New Zealand	Yes