Sex pheromone components of the carpenterworm moth, Holcocerus vicarius

Extracts of the female sex pheromone gland of the carpenterworm moth, Holcocerus vicarius (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), a pest of Ulmus pumila L. (Ulmaceae), were found to contain Z7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14Ac), E3-tetradecenyl acetate (E3-14Ac), (Z3,E5)-tetradecenyl acetate (Z3,E5-14Ac), and Z7-tetradecenyl alcohol (Z7-14OH) by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Field trapping studies with impregnated rubber septa indicated that Z7-14Ac was essential for attraction of males of H. vicarius. However, the most attractive blend contained Z7-14Ac, E3-14Ac, Z3,E5-14Ac, and Z7-14OH in a 50:22:17:10 ratio. Our results demonstrated that a blend of Z7-14Ac, E3-14Ac, Z3,E5-14Ac, and Z7-14OH represented the sex pheromone of H. vicarius. The optimized four-component lure blend may be useful for monitoring H. vicarius infestations and mating disruption.