Field testing of synthetic attractants for male Grapholita libertina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

In an effort to develop an efficient monitoring method for the lingonberry fruitworm, Grapholita libertina Heinrich, an economically important pest of lingonberries, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. var. minus Lodd. (Ericaceae), in Newfoundland, various known sex attractants for other species of the genus Grapholita Treitschke were evaluated for their ability to attract G. libertina moths in field trials in eastern Newfoundland. The chemicals tested were (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol acetate (EE8,10-12:Ac), (E)-8-dodecen-1-ol acetate (E8-12:Ac), (Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z8-12:Ac), and (Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol (Z8-12:OH). Field trials in 1996 showed highest attraction to E8-12:Ac, with Z8-12:Ac and Z8-12:OH also being attractive. Trials in 1997 demonstrated that a blend of E8-12:Ac, Z8-12:Ac, and Z8-12:OH at a ratio of 85:10:5, respectively, was attractive to G. libertina males. All chemicals captured significantly more moths than did controls and all moths examined were males indicating these chemicals may be constituents of the naturally occurring female sex pheromone.