An improved multi-component sex attractant for trapping male western yellowstriped armyworm, Spodoptera praefica (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract 1 Chemical analyses of solvent extracts of pheromone glands of female western yellowstriped armyworm moths Spodoptera praefica (Grote) indicated the presence of (Z)‐7‐dodecenol (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate (Z)‐9‐dodecenyl acetate (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate. 2 In field tests of combinations of these chemicals, small numbers of male S. praefica were captured in traps baited with (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate. Numbers of males captured in traps were greatly increased in response to blends that included both (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate with either (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z)‐9‐dodecenyl acetate. The combination of (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate and (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate provided the strongest sex attractant for use in trapping male S. praefica. 3 Males of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) were captured in traps baited with blends possessing (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate, and were greatly reduced in traps baited with blends that included (Z)‐7‐dodecenol. 4 Multi‐component blends that included (Z)‐7‐dodecenol attracted males of the alfalfa looper Autographa californica (Speyer). 5 Males of Peridroma saucia (Hübner) and Mamestra configurata Walker were captured in traps that included (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate with (Z)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate. 6 These responses by other species of moths to S. praefica pheromone components and blends may still complicate the use of any lure for S. praefica.