Identification of (E)- and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone components of the currant pest Euhyponomeutoides albithoracellus

The currant bud moth Euhyponomeutoides albithoracellus is a destructive pest in black currant orchards in Northern Sweden and Finland. The larvae feed on the buds, and at high densities, the species can cause severe yield losses. Sex pheromone components of the bud moth were identified via solvent extraction of excised female pheromone glands, analyses by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and field trapping experiments. Antennae of males responded strongly and consistently to two compounds in extracts, identified as (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate. Weaker and less consistent responses were observed to the corresponding alcohols, (E)-11-tetradecenol and (Z)-11-tetradecenol, and tetradecyl acetate. Field tests showed strong attraction of bud moth males to a 1:1 blend of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate. Adding the alcohols to the binary acetate blend reduced trap catches drastically, whereas tetradecyl acetate had no statistically significant impact on male attraction when added to that binary blend. Finally, testing different compositions of the binary acetate blend revealed highest catch in traps baited with a 25:75 or 50:50 ratio of the E:Z acetate isomers. The identification of sex pheromone components of the bud moth contributes to developing sustainable control of this pest via monitoring and mating disruption with sex pheromone.

Automated summary

The sex pheromone components of the currant bud moth were identified, and field tests showed that a 1:1 blend of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate attracted the males strongly. Adding the alcohols to the blend reduced trap catches drastically, while the addition of tetradecyl acetate had no significant impact. Testing different ratios of the blend revealed optimal attraction with a 25:75 or 50:50 ratio of the E:Z acetate isomers. The identification of these pheromone components contributes to the development of sustainable control methods for this destructive pest.