[Study on trace component in sex pheromones of Dendrolimus spp]

Two compounds were isolated, as sex pheromone components, from the abdominal tips of the female pine caterpillar moth, Dendrolimus kikuchii. The major component was identified as (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadien-1-yl acetate by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. There are some difficulties to elucidate the structure of the minor component due to its trace and coelution with other components. The derivatives of alkaline methanolysis and reacetylation of pheromone gland extracts of D. kikuchii were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography, which was performed to verify the functional group and stereo isomers of the trace component in the pheromone gland extracts. The trace component was characterized as (Z,E) -5,7-dodecadienol via microchemical reaction. The advantages of the conversion of acetates to corresponding alcohols or of alcohols to the corresponding acetates in identifying the trace component of pheromone gland extracts of D. kikuchii were discussed. The importance of identifying the trace component in pheromone chemical communication system of insects is emphasized.