Sex pheromones of three citrus leafrollers, Archips atrolucens, Adoxophyes privatana, and Homona sp., inhabiting the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

ABSTRACT

Archips atrolucens, Adoxophyes privatana, and Homona sp. are serious defoliators of citrus trees in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. In order to establish a sustainable pest-management program for the three species, their female-produced sex pheromones were investigated by GC-EAD and GC-MS analyses, and the following multi-component pheromones were identified (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14OAc), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14OAc), and tetradecyl acetate (14OAc) in a ratio of 64324 for A. atrolucens; Z11-14OAc and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14OAc) in a ratio of 928 for A. privatana; and Z11-14OAc and (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate (Z9-12OAc) in a ratio of 964 for Homona sp. Each lure baited with synthetic components as a mimic of the natural pheromone attracted males of the target species specifically, indicating that each monounsaturated minor component plays a significant role for mating communication and reproductive isolation of the three species inhabiting the same citrus orchards. In an extract of the pheromone glands of A. atrolucens females, the content of 14OAc was very low, but a synergistic effect was observed clearly when the saturated compound was mixed at the same level as the E11-14OAc. The synthetic lures will provide useful tools for monitoring flights of adults of the three species.