Comparative behavioral and EAG responses of female obliquebanded and redbanded leafroller moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to their sex pheromone components

Studies were conducted investigating the responses of female obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana and redbanded leafrollers, Argyrotaenia velutinana, to components of their sex pheromone. Electroantennogram (EAG) recordings revealed significant responses from antennae of female moths of both species to the major pheromone component, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, at dosages ranging from 2 microg - 2 mg. However, tested individually, the minor pheromone components of the obliquebanded leafroller, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenol, elicited little or no antennal response from conspecific females. This result was consistent for redbanded leafroller females, which showed only weak responses to the minor component (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate at a 2 mg dosage. For both species, species-specific blend ratios of the Z and E isomers of tetradecenyl acetate did not elicit a greater antennal response than the Z isomer alone. Virgin females of each species were placed into 1-liter plastic assay chambers with constant throughput of carbon-filtered air passed through 1-liter flasks containing rubber septa loaded with (Z)- and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetates and (Z)-11-tetradecenol for trials with female obliquebanded leafrollers or with (Z)- and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetates and dodecyl acetate for trials with female redbanded leafrollers. Exposure to pheromone-permeated air delayed the onset of calling by 1 h and terminated the calling period 1 h earlier for both species compared with solvent-control exposed females. Furthermore, the total proportion of calling females was reduced by half in chambers receiving constant throughput of pheromone-permeated air compared with solvent controls. Exposure to pheromone-permeated air also significantly reduced egg-laying in both species compared with clean-air controls. Furthermore, application of the major pheromone component, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, deterred oviposition by females of both species. Our data suggest that application of synthetic sex-attractant pheromones for mating disruption of leafroller species may have deleterious effects on female moth behavior, which may contribute to pest control.