Female sex pheromone of the dogwood borer (DWB), Synanthedon scitula, and attraction inhibitor (antagonist)

Abstract

A composition for attracting male Synanthedon scitula, containing a male Synanthedon scitula attracting effective amount of Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally E,Z-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally Z,E-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, and optionally a carrier material or carrier; the composition containing less than about 0.3% E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate based on the molar amount of the Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in the composition. A method for attracting male Synanthedon scitula to an object or area, involving treating an object or area with a male Synanthedon scitula attracting composition containing a male Synanthedon scitula attractant effective amount of Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally E,Z-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally Z,E-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, and optionally a carrier material or carrier; the composition containing less than about 0.3% E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate based on the molar amount of the Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in the composition. A method for inhibiting (antagonizing) male Synanthedon scitula attraction to female Synanthedon scitula, involving exposing a Synanthedon scitula population to a composition containing E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in a quantity sufficient to inhibit (antagonize) male Synanthedon scitula attraction to female Synanthedon scitula, and optionally a carrier material or carrier.