The sex attractant emitted by the female gypsy moth has been identified as cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane. The structure was verified by spectral, gas chromatographic, and biological comparisons with the synthesized compound. Nine closely related isomers were considerably less effective.

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An apparatus has been devised to apply on a thin-layer sheet 9 samples of 1 or 2 ml of a solvent extract at a rate of 1 ml/20 to 30 min, thereby allowing the solvent to be evaporated by an airstream. Spots were 5 to 6 mm in diameter, and no attention of the analyst was required during spotting. The apparatus has been used to analyze for chlorinated hydrocarbons in soils.

Extracts of soil, water, and sediment often contain large amounts of elemental sulfur. This sulfur causes considerable interference in the GLC analysis of early eluting compounds by electron capture or flame photometric detection systems. A method is described whereby sulfur is removed by refluxing with a copper-aluminum alloy. Using a sample volume of 1 ml, up to 50 ppm elemental sulfur can be removed. Recovery of chlorinated pesticides from desulfurized extracts is >80%. Parathion and malathion gave recoveries of approximately 50%.