SEX PHEROMONE OF THE SPRUCE BUDWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE): EVIDENCE FOR A MISSING COMPONENT

1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Sanders

AbstractWind tunnel experiments confirmed the optimum blend of the two major components of the sex pheromone of the spruce bud worm Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), (E)- and (Z)-11-tetradecenal, to be close to a ratio of 95(E):5(Z). The addition of two minor components, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and the saturated tetradecanal, previously identified in the effluvia of calling virgin females, showed that the acetate alone reduced the level of some responses, while the addition of tetradecanal to the acetate:aldehyde blend restored response to previous levels. Addition of tetradecanal alone showed only minor effects on responses. Males responding to calling females showed higher levels of response and sustained flight longer than did males responding to the four-component blend, and this fact suggests that the blend is incomplete.

1983 ◽  
Vol 115 (9) ◽  
pp. 1053-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Alford ◽  
P. J. Silk ◽  
M. McClure ◽  
C. Gibson ◽  
J. Fitzpatrick

AbstractLaboratory wind tunnel and field observations have demonstrated an important behavioural role of tetradecanal (14:Ald) in the chemical communication system of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens). A greater number of males initiated upwind flight and continued on to contact the source when 14:Ald was present than with 95/5 E/Z11-tetradecenal (E/Z11-14:Ald) alone. The presence of E11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (E11-14:Ac) decreased the males' responsiveness to the aldehydes. Its effect appeared to be attenuated, when present at low levels with 95/5 E/Z11-14:Ald, by the presence of 14:Ald, but it is still unclear what effects low levels of E11-14:Ac have on male behaviour.


1986 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 611-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Sanders

AbstractThe efficiency of two sticky-bottomed traps and seven high-capacity, nonsticky traps in catching male spruce budworm [Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)] moths was evaluated in a wind tunnel. The place where the male moths first contacted the trap, the length of time that passed until they entered the trap, and the number remaining in the trap after 5 min were recorded. The most efficient traps were the Pherocon 1 C, a sticky-bottomed trap, and the Multi-Pher and Uni-trap, both nonsticky traps with internal funnel-shaped baffles that prevent moths from escaping. As sticky traps become saturated at relatively low densities they are not suitable for monitoring wide changes in population density. The Multi-Pher and Uni-trap are therefore recommended for monitoring population changes of the spruce budworm, establishing thresholds for management action, and estimating population density.


1981 ◽  
Vol 113 (10) ◽  
pp. 943-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Sanders ◽  
G. S. Lucuik ◽  
R. M. Fletcher

AbstractResponses were recorded of male spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) exposed to natural pheromone and a wide range of concentrations of synthetic pheromone in an all-glass wind tunnel equipped with a moving, patterned ceiling. The numbers of males wing-fanning and plume-following decreased with decreasing concentration of the pheromone plume. Speed of upwind flight with the ceiling stationary increased with decreasing concentration, but the durations of flight sustained by moving the ceiling were not significantly different under the different concentrations.Males exposed to pheromone produced by calling females showed a higher incidence of plume-following, and flew significantly faster, than males exposed to a similar concentration of synthetic pheromone.


1982 ◽  
Vol 114 (12) ◽  
pp. 1143-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Ross ◽  
W. D. Seabrook ◽  
G. C. Lonergan ◽  
P. Palaniswamy ◽  
B. Ponder

AbstractMale and female laboratory reared spruce budworm moths, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), were placed in cages in a conifer forest, and the surrounding air permeated by each of four blends of the E and Z isomers of the sex pheromone (11-tetradecenal) at two concentrations. Mating suppression of 53–83% was found for each blend tested. At one concentration the four suppressions were similar, while at the other only one was significantly different. Electroantennograms (EAGs) were obtained from male moths for each of six E:Z blends at four concentrations. EAGs were similar for most blends at a given concentration, but tended to be larger than at a blend of 0E:100Z.These results were discussed using a current hypothesis on the ability of males to detect sex pheromone in air containing pockets of different isomeric blends.


1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067-1076
Author(s):  
C.J. Sanders

AbstractTraps baited with a 95:5 blend of E:Z-11-tetradecenal, the sex pheromone of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), were deployed throughout several summers in Ontario to determine what other Lepidoptera were captured that might be confused with the male C. fumiferana. Eight other species of Tortricidae were captured with sufficient frequency to suggest that they were attracted to the traps: Choristoneura conflictana Wlk. (the large aspen tortrix), six species of Acleris, and one Gretchena species. Of these, C. conflictana can easily be confused with C. fumiferana. The evidence suggests that male C. conflictana were not attracted by the pheromone, but blundered into the traps. They are very similar morphologically to male C. fumiferana, but can be differentiated with care.


1998 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sanders

AbstractFlight durations of male spruce budworm moths, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), that were locked-on to pheromone plumes from female moths were measured in a wind tunnel. Flight was sustained by use of a movable patterned ceiling. The longest sustained flight was 53 min. The effects of different background concentrations of synthetic pheromone were tested by surrounding the female moths with rubber septa loaded with synthetic pheromone. The duration of sustained flights decreased as the concentration of background synthetic pheromone increased, but at all concentrations some males persisted in orientated flight for 10 min or longer.


1971 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Sanders

AbstractA simple and inexpensive olfactometer based on that of Gaston and Shorey (1964) is described for bioassaying the sex pheromone of the eastern spruce budworm. The number of males buzzing (rapidly beating their wings while circling on the substrate) after the introduction of the sample into the airstream of the olfactometer was used as measure of response. Males held under continuous illumination showed maximum response when 2 to 3 days old. Under natural lighting males showed a circadian rhythm, with peak response shortly after dark and a minor peak in mid-morning. Since per cent response under continuous illumination exceeded the maximum response under natural lighting, it is recommended that bioassays be carried out with 2- to 3-day-old males held under continuous illumination.


1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Sanders ◽  
E.A. Meighen

AbstractFive formulations of the primary sex pheromone components of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) were evaluated as lures for monitoring spruce budworm populations: Biolures (Consep Membranes Inc.), Luretape plastic flakes (Hercon, Healthchem Corp.), polyethylene vials (International Pheromone Systems), hollow fibers (Albany International), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pellets. PVC pellets showed significant loss in attractiveness over the required 6-week period. Also, different batches of PVC pellets had very different rates of pheromone release and attraction; the oldest lures, stored for the longest period, were the most attractive. Luretape caught fewer moths than anticipated from the release-rate data and showed wide variation in catch among individual lures. Fibers were inconsistent. Biolures and polyethylene vials showed the lowest decline in attractiveness over time and the lowest variation in catch among individual lures, but their capture rates were higher than necessary.


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