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Author Spotlight: Examining Volatile Sex Pheromone Influence on Male C. elegans Behavior
Published on: August 9, 2024
Identification of sex pheromone of bristly cutworm,Lacinipolia renigera (Stephens)
1Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, 40546, Lexington, Kentucky.
Abstract:
The sex pheromone of the bristly cutworm moth,Lacinipolia renigera was identified as a blend of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (itZ9-14): Ac and (Z, E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (ZE-9,12-14: Ac). Extracts of female glands were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography on three columns of different polarities. In each analysis, peaks with retention times identical to Z9-14:Ac andZE-9, 12-14: Ac were observed. GC-MS analysis of gland extracts supported the identification of these two compounds. Volatiles emitted from female sex pheromone glands during 10-min collection periods contained 7.8 ±2.01 ng ofZ9- 14: Ac. On average the blend contained 3.8 ± 1.43%ZE-9,12-14: Ac. Blends ranging from 1% to 10%ZE- 9,12-14: Ac in Z9-14: Ac (1 mg) were effective in capturing males in the field. The number of males captured in traps baited with a 3 % blend ofZE- 9,12-14: Ac in Z9-14: Ac was not significantly different than the number caught in traps containing two virgin females.

