Evidence of an oviposition stimulant for peachtree borer

Peachtree borer (PTB) cocoons, peach tree bark, and a mixture of frass and gum obtained arount PTB wounds were extracted with organic solvents of increasing polarity. Female PTB moths,Synanthedon exitiosa (Say), laid the greatest number of eggs on filter paper substrates treated with acetone extracts of PTB cocoons, ethyl acetate extracts of peach tree bark and acetone extracts of frass and gum mixtures. The extracts of cocoons or frass and gum mixture were separated by liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography.