Sex Pheromone of the Turnip Moth, Agrotis segetum DENIS et SCHIFFERMÜLLER (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Glass Capillary Formulation of Synthetic Sex Pheromone

Abstract

The release rates of the synthetic sex pheromone of A. segetum from dispensers were determined by the vapor collection method under controlled conditions. The optimum dose rate for attraction of the A. segetum males was found to range from 0.05 to 0.10μg/hr. The release rate from a glass capillary tube could be controlled by changing the cross sectional areas of the tube or the length between the meniscus and the open end. The rate increased approximately three times for each 10°C rise of temperature within the range of 10 to 30°C. The glass capillary tube was found to be suitable as the dispenser of a highly volatile synthetic sex pheromone such as that of A. segetum. Field experiment showed that the male moths were effectively attracted by the sex pheromone released from a glass capillary tube with a 0.556mm² cross sectional area and 10mm length between the meniscus and the open end for more than 13 months.