Identification and application of the sex pheromones of the rice green caterpillar Naranga aenescens in Korea

This study was carried out to investigate the optimum composition of sex pheromones for mate attraction in the rice green caterpillar Naranga aenescens, and to evaluate the effects of pheromone quantity, trap type, and trapping location on trapping success in Korean paddy fields. Mating rate of N. aenescens increased with age, with the highest mating rate 2days after emergence. The highest mating rate occurred within 1h after lights-off; mating pairs were not observed during the photophase. In electroantennogram (EAG) and gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) analysis, virgin female extracts had 2 EAD-active components. The mass spectra of the 2 distinct EAD-active components were identical to those of Z9-14:Ac and Z11-16:Ac. Additionally, Z9-16:Ac was identified in the extracts in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Wing traps with lures containing 1mg of a 2:1:4 mixture of Z9-14:Ac, Z9-16:Ac, and Z11-16:Ac was the most attractive to N. aenescens males. Pheromone-baited wing trapping, therefore, can be a simple and effective tool for monitoring N. aenescens populations. [Display omitted] •The optimum pheromone composition of Naranga aenescens was identified.•The pheromone quantity of N. aenescens was determined.•The sticky-typed wing trap was the most effective for N. aenescens in Korea.