Selection of a polyethylene tubing formulation of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate and its use in disrupting pheromone communication in Heliothis zea (Boddie)

The release rates of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate (Z9TDF) from four sizes of polyethylene tubing were measured periodically for 50 days by collecting the Z9TDF vapors on a polymeric adsorbent. The resulting release rate curves had shapes that were determined by the tubing's diameter and wall thickness. One tubing size that combined good longevity with adequately high release rates was tested in the field to determine whether it could disrupt pheromone communication of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie). We observed a low percentage of disruption, but release rate measurements made concurrently showed that the tubing was releasing Z9TDF normally. In a second field test, a larger quantity of Z9TDF was released, and 87% disruption was attained for 66 days.