FIELD-TESTS OF SYNTHETIC MANDUCA-SEXTA SEX-PHEROMONE

In field experiments traps were baited with live females or with a two-, four-, or eight-component blend of the 16-carbon aldehydes previously identified as components of the sex pheromone emitted by female Manduca sexta moths. The blends were formulated on rubber septa. Traps baited with a blend of all eight aldehydes captured more M. sexta males than any other treatment. Septa loaded with 600 mu g of the eight-component blend were attractive to males for about seven days in the field. Septa loaded with the eight-component blend and stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C for a year released the conjugated diene and triene aldehydes at the same rate as freshly prepared septa and were equally attractive in the field.