Olefinic Aldehydes as Constituents of Sex Attractants for Noctuid Moths 1

Abstract
Alkenals have recently become known as components of the sex pheromones of a few lepidopterous specis. A field survey of aldehydes and aldehyde-acetate mixtures as candidate lures for moths revealed general attractant activity in straight olefinic aldehydes of carbon number 12, 14 and 16. The numerous species captured by baited traps indicated that aldehydes may be as important in sex attractants as the better known acetates and alcohols. The main species captured were Acronicta sperata Grote, Ceramica picta (Harris), Agrotis volubilis Harvey, Cry modes devastator (Brace), Eurois astricta Morrison, Euxoa acornis Smith, Euxoa obeliscoides Guenée Faronta diffusa (Walker), Feltia ducens (Walker), Fishia derelicta Hampson, Lithomoia solidaginis Hübner, Nephelodes emmedonia (Cramer), Polia tacoma Strecker and Schinia bina Guenée.