Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera:
Pyraloidea) is a notorious pest of stored grain globally. The dried
fruits (Ziziphus jujuba, Malus pumila, and Fragaria ananassa) can strongly attract P. interpunctella. However, specific volatile compounds responsible for such effects
have not been identified. Volatiles were analyzed by using headspace
solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and chromatography–mass
spectrometry (GCMS) techniques. Five aldehyde compounds were selected
for electroantennogram (EAG), single sensillum recording (SSR), and
behavioral response assays. The three chemicals that elicited the
strongest EAG responses to mated females at 100 μg/μL
include hexanal (1.13 mV), heptanal (0.92 mV), and octanal (0.73 mV).
In SSR experiments, the basiconic sensilla of the antennae responded
to these aldehyde compounds. The results of behavioral responses showed
that all aldehydes exhibited dose-dependent responses, with hexanal
having the highest attractant rate of 74.56%. These compounds have
the potential to be used for monitoring P. interpunctella and its integrated management program.