Attractancy of Optically Active Pheromone for Male Gypsy Moths12

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Synthetic attractant lures enriched in the (+) enantiomer of cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane were many times more effective in eliciting trap catch of male gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), than racemic cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane. The lowered trap catch at the racemate was due to the antagonistic effects of the (−) enantiomer on the male behaviors of long-range upwind flight, the likelihood of landing on the baited trap and duration of the persistent “searching” behavior of wing fanning concurrent with walking on the trap. The admixture of 2-methyl-(Z)-7-octadecene with the (+) enantiomer also effected a reduction in trap catch.