The significance of blends of two sex pheromone components on the behavior of maleSpodoptera litura F. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Behavioral responses of maleSpodoptera litura to the female sex pheromone components, (Z, E)-9, 11-tetradecadienyl acetate (compound A) and (Z, E)-9, 12-tetradecadienyl acetate (compound B), and mixtures of compounds A and B were analyzed in the laboratory. Male orientation flight in a wind tunnel was induced by a lure dispenser onto which 1.1×10⁻³ ng of a mixture (A∶B=10∶1) was absorbed, while 1 ng of compound A was required to induced the same level of behavior. The blend ratio was important for trap catch and orientation flight of males and a 10∶1 mixture of compounds A and B was most effective. A mixture (10∶1) was more effective than compound A alone in induction of movement, walking, and flying in resting males in a glass tube. These results indicated that 2 sex pheromone components act as a set from the initial to final steps of male attraction to female.