Abstract
The major and possibly only component of the sex attractant pheromone of the moth Hemileuca nevadensis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) from southern California was determined to be (E10,Z12)-hexadecadienal (E10,Z12-16:Ald). Detectable quantities of the analogs (E10,Z12)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (E10,Z12-16:Ac) and (E10,Z12)-hexadecadien-1-ol (E10,Z12-16:OH) were also present in solvent extracts of sex pheromone glands, and stimulated male antennae in coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detector (GC-EAD) assays. GC-EAD traces from solid phase microextraction (SPME) wipe samples of sex pheromone glands of calling females confirmed the presence of E10,Z12-16:Ald and traces of E10,Z12-16:OH on the gland surface, but E10,Z12-16:Ac was not detected. Despite evidence for the presence of all three compounds in extracts, behavioral responses to synthetic compounds in the field suggested that only E10,Z12-16:Ald is required for optimal attraction.
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Data Availability
Samples of pheromone components are available from JGM upon request.Voucher specimens have been submitted to the Entomology Museum, University of California, Riverside.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Chris Conlan for the donation of insects used in this study, David Hawks and Guy Bruyea for field collection of adult moths, and the staff of the Orange County Water district at the Prado Basin for their permission and help in conducting field trials, Bonnie Nash, Scott Nygren, Talula Barbee, and especially David McMichaels.
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The authors appreciate funding from Hatch project CA-R*ENT-5181 H to JGM.
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JSM prepared and analyzed pheromone gland extracts, carried out all field trials and statistical analyses of the data, and drafted the manuscript. JGM assisted with identification of the bioactive compounds, synthesized the putative pheromone components, and assisted with drafting the manuscript.
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McElfresh, J.S., Millar, J.G. Sex Pheromone of the Saturniid Moth Hemileuca nevadensis from Southern California. J Chem Ecol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-024-01506-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-024-01506-w