Abstract
R-isomer of 10-methyldodecyl acetate (10-Me-12Ac), a minor component of the female sex-attractant pheromone of the smaller tea tortrix moth, has a slightly higher activity than the S-isomer though the difference is not significant. Racemic 10-Me-12Ac can be used as a component of synthetic lure. Optimum dose of 10-Me-12Ac is 10 to 100 times that of the natural ratio. Optimum ratio of (Z)-9- and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetates (Z9-14Ac and Z11-14Ac), major components of the pheromone, ranged from 70:30 to 30:70. Optimum dose of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14Ac), another minor component, was 1 to 40% that of the major components. Addition of (E)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (E9-14Ac) at amounts exceed-ing 1% of that of the major components inhibited remarkably the activity of the lure. A standard mixture composed of 0.63mg Z9-14Ac, 0.31mg Z11-14Ac, 0.04mg E11-14Ac, and 2.0mg 10-Me-12Ac (R, S, or racemic) loaded on a plastic dispenser was more potent as an attractant lure for male moth than a virgin female.
