Female sex pheromone of a lichen moth Eilema japonica (Arctiidae, Lithosiinae) Components and control of production

Seven candidates for components of the female sex pheromone of Edema japonica (Arctiidae Lithosiinae) were detected in an extract of pheromone glands with a gas chromatograph-electroantennographic detector The compounds were identified as (Z,Z)-6 9-icosadiene (D20) (Z,Z)-6 9-henicosadiene (D21) (Z,Z,Z)-3 6 9-henicosatriene (T21) (Z,Z)-6 9-docosadiene (D22) (Z,Z,Z)-3 6 9-docosatriene (T22) (Z,Z)-6 9-tricosadiene (D23) and (Z,Z,Z)-3 6 9-tricosatriene (T23) Assays using synthetic lures in a wind tunnel showed that D21 (proportion 0 39) T21 (0 08) D22 (0 27) and T22 (0 26) are important for evoking full behavioral responses from the males Titers of the pheromone components did not show clear temporal fluctuations Moreover decapitation of the female moth had no effect on the titers of pheromone components in the pheromone gland suggesting that cephalic endocrine factors such as pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) are not Involved in the control of pheromone biosynthesis in this species (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved