Identification of the Primary Female Sex Pheromone Component of the Mimosa Webworm (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

E 11-tetradecenyl acetate ( E 11-14:Ac) was identified as the primary female sex pheromone component of the mimosa webworm, Homadaula anisocentra Meyrick. Chemical analyses by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of virgin female sex pheromone gland extracts indicated the presence of E 11-14:Ac, E 11-14: OH, and 14:Ac, whereas sex pheromone gland volatiles contained only E 11-14:Ac and 14: Ac (at approximately 1% of E 11-14:Ac). Gas chromatography-electroantennogram detector analyses indicated male antennal responsiveness to a component in pheromone gland extracts and volatiles that had an elution time coincident with E 11-14:Ac. In field-trapping studies, E 11-14:Ac elicited trap capture rates not different ( P > 0.05) from those in traps baited with virgin females. Addition of either E 11-14:OH or Z11-14:Ac reduced trap capture rates, whereas E - and Z11-14:Ald appeared to have no effect on trap capture rates.