Bioassay Method for Determination of Female Sex Pheromone of Tea Tortrix Moth, Homona magnanima DIAKONOFF (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract

A convenient and reliable bioassay method for determination of female sex pheromone of Homona magnanima was developed. Male moths were kept under continuous illumination at 25°C after emergence. On the 5th day, the males were transferred to a room at 20°C under continuous illumination and exposed to pheromone source 3 hours after the transfer. By using this method relative activity of the female sex pheromone ranging from 1×10^-5 to 1×10^-2 (female equivalent) was quantitatively determined. This method combining a lower ambient temperature with continuous illumination is very sensitive and more stable for monitoring the activity of the female sex pheromone than several other bioassay methods used for determination of lepidopterous sex pheromones.