Heliothis virescens: Attraction of males to blends of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate and (Z)-9-tetradecenal

In field trapping experiments, 16:1 and 32:1 blends of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate (Z-9-TDF) and (Z)-9-tetradecenal (Z-9-TDAL) caught as many Heliothis virescens (F.) as 3 virgin females and virelure, the synthetic pheromone of this species [a 16:1 mixture of (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z-11-HDAL) and (Z)-9-tetradecenal]. Z-9-TDF and (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol formate (Z-7-DDF) are structurally similar to Z-11-HDAL and Z-9-TDAL, respectively. The sensory input elicited by Z-9-TDF appears to substitute for the sensory input of Z-1 1-HDAL. In contrast, Z-7-DDF had no significant effect on catches of male H. virescens when used alone, in combination with either Z-11-HDAL or Z-9-TDF as a bait in traps, or as a disruptant of pheromone communication via permeation of the atmosphere. Furthermore, Z-9-TDF may be a more stable and economical attractant for H, virescens males than is Z-1 1-HDAL.