Identification and field evaluation of the sex pheromone of an invasive pest, the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea in China

Abstract

Pheromone gland extracts of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Based on comparison of retention times and mass spectra of synthetic standards, four compounds were identified as (9Z,12Z)-octadecadienal, (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienal, (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-3,6-heneicosadiene and (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-1,3,6-heneicosatriene with a ratio of 2:33.6:58.4:6. Trapping tests showed that quaternary blend of these compounds was highly attractive to male H. cunea. Unitraps baited with the quaternary blend loading of 200-300 μg on a gray rubber septum were very effective for monitoring H. cunea populations.

Electroantennogram responses of an invasive species fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) to host volatile compounds

“…Although a number of host plants are used by H. cunea, the insects mostly feed on mulberry (Morus alba L.), rock maple (Acer saccharum), poplar (Populus tremula) and ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima) [7]. Identification of H. cunea sex pheromone compounds began in the early 1970s, and today, 4 primary components of H. cunea are known around the world [8].…”

“…Identification of H. cunea sex pheromone compounds began in the early 1970s, and today, 4 primary components of H. cunea are known around the world [8]. Chemical composition of the sex pheromones of H. cunea in China was first reported in 2008 [7]. Interactions between host plants and insects through semiochemicals are now an important subject for chemical ecologists [9].…”

Review of forests, wood products and wood biotechnology of Iran and Germany - Part III

“…However, H. cunea seems to be unable to establish itself in the northern half of Europe, probably because of climatic constraints (Wittenberg, 2005). In 1979 the species was reported in China (Liaoning province) and it is now established in several eastern provinces of the country (FAO, 2007, Su et al, 2008. In New Zealand few infestations were reported on Mt.…”

“…A recent investigation on two H. cunea females collected in New Zealand, found a similarity with the USA population; in this case the three compounds already found in the USA population before were reported at a ratio of Field experiments using an equal ternary mixture of C18:3Ald, C21-2Epo and C21-3Epo showed to be attractive to the H. cunea male in northern Italy (Trematerra et al, 1993) and a great number of males were captured in China, by a ratio of 8:1:1 of the same three compounds (Zhang et al, 1996). Recently, the quaternary formulation of C18:2Ald, C18:3Ald, C21-2Epo, and C21-3Epo was proved to be very effective for monitoring H. cunea populations in China (Su et al, 2008). On the other hand, the commercially available synthetic lure, Nitolure, produced by Nitto Denko (Osaka, Japan) since 1993, showed contradictory reports regarding the efficacy of this lure (Yamanaka et al 2001;Rezaei, 2006 …”

Evaluation of the Insecticidal Activities of Three Eucalyptus Species Cultivated in Iran, Against Hyphantria Cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

“…This polyphagous defoliator has caused great damage to forests, urban ornamental trees, and agricultural crops in China because of its wide host range (Su et al 2008). Young larvae feed upon the upper and lower leaf surfaces, leaving the veins.…”