SEX PHEROMONE OF THE ORANGE TORTRTX MOTH, Argyrotaenia citrana (LEPIDOPTERA : TORTRICIDAE)

Female orange tortrix, Argyrotaenia citrana (Fernald), abdominal tip extracts, and effluvia were analyzed, and two pheromone components were identified as cis-11-tetradecenal (c11-14:ALD) and cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate (c11-14:Ac). Female extracts contained such very low quantities of c11-14: ALD relative to c11-14:Ac that the aldehyde was frequently undetectable, whereas female effluvia contained these compounds in a ratio of ca. 15:1. Field attractancy tests showed that traps baited with c11-14:ALD were attractive, whereas c11-14:Ae possessed no intrinsic attractiveness. Additionally, traps containing c11-14:ALD in a range of ratios to the component cl 1-14 : Ac (5:1 to 1:10) are more competitive for A. citrana males than are live female traps. The females produce pure cis isomers ( < 0.5% trans), and addition of >5% t11-14:ALD (the geometric isomer of the primary component) reduces attractancy, whereas addition of t11-14: Ac (the geometric isomer of the secondary component) apparently does not affect attractancy significantly unless c11-14 :Ac is absent.