Inhibiting the sexual behavior of female cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

The biological function of a series of aliphatic acids was studied in order to explore a new approach to controlling cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. Calling behavior of the females was observed when they were exposed to one of fourteen aliphatic acids, and mating behavior was studied when females were exposed to one of these five aliphatic acids. Calling behavior and mating rate were reduced significantly when females were exposed to Z6-octadecenoic acid, Z9-octadecenoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid or Z11-eicosenoic acid. These compounds could be used as female sexual inhibitors, and might be utilized for the control of cotton bollworm in field.