Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Author Spotlight: Examining Volatile Sex Pheromone Influence on Male C. elegans Behavior
Published on: August 9, 2024
Effects of minor pheromone components on orientation behavior and mating decision-making strategy in Micromelalopha
Siyan Wang1, Sufang Zhang1, Li Guo2
1Key Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Micromelalopha sieversi (Staudinger) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is a destructive defoliator of poplar (Populus sp.) trees in China. In prior study, (13Z,15E)-octadeca-13,15-dienal (Z13,E15-18:Ald) (I) and (13Z,15Z)-octadeca-13,15-dienal (Z13,Z15-18:Ald) (II) were identified from the sex pheromone glands of M. sieversi females. Although traps baited with Z13,E15-18:Ald (I) captured M. sieversi males, the attractiveness was inferior to that of unmated females. Moreover, male moths exhibited distinct mate-selection and mating behaviors, suggesting the production of unidentified bioactive components by the sex pheromone glands of females. Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to identify two additional minor components, (13E,15Z)-octadeca-13,15-dienal (E13,Z15-18:Ald) (III) and (13E,15E)-octadeca-13,15-dienal (E13,E15-18:Ald) (IV), in the sex pheromone gland extracts from M. sieversi females. The four geometric isomers of 13,15-octadecadienal were present in a relative ratio of 100 : 13.43 : 5.27: 20.04. A wind tunnel assay and field tests demonstrated that E13,Z15-18:Ald (III) played a pivotal role in the "short-range" localization of females by male moths, and exhibited a synergistic effect with Z13,E15-18:Ald (I). In contrast, Z13,Z15-18:Ald (II) and E13,E15-18:Ald (IV) had antagonistic effects. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed that the proportion of Z13,Z15-18:Ald (II) in the sex pheromone gland extracts increased markedly after mating. Furthermore, application of exogenous Z13,Z15-18:Ald (II) to the terminal segment of unmated female moths reduced mating rates, suggesting its potential role in the mating decision-making processes of M. sieversi. By clarifying the specific functional roles of minor pheromone components, this study provides a practical approach for development of precise pheromone-based control strategies against M. sieversi.
