Epoxyheptadecadienes identified as sex-pheromone components of tephrina-arenacearia hbn (lepidoptera, geometridae)

(Z, Z)-3, 9-cis-6, 7-Epoxyheptadecadiene, and (Z, Z)-6, 9-cis-3, 4-epoxyheptadecadiene were identified by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection-electroantennographic detection (GC/FID-EAD) and coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) from abdominal tip extracts of Tephrina arenacearia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), an alfalfa pest. In gas chromatography/flame ionization—single sensillum detection (GC/FID-SC) analyses, specific olfactory receptor cells were found for (Z, Z)-6, 9-cis-3, 4-epoxyheptadecadiene, and tricosane. Synthetic samples of racemic (Z, Z)-6, 9-cis-3, 4-epoxyheptadecadiene attracted large numbers of male T. arenacearia into traps. Best catches were observed at 100–1000 μg dosages. The addition of (Z, Z,Z)-3, 6,9-heptadecatriene did not influence catches. (Z, Z,Z)-3, 6,9-Heptadecatriene and (Z, Z)-6, 9-cis-3, 4-epoxyheptadecadiene were also identified in the pheromone gland extract of Chiasma clathrata, another geometrid pest of alfalfa. (Less)