Attraction of the Gypsy Moth to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of Damaged Dahurian Larch

Exploring the Effects of Plant Odors, from Tree Species of Differing Host Quality, on the Response of Lymantria dispar Males to Female Sex Pheromones

“…The responses of male European gypsy moths towards sexual pheromones in the presence and absence of plant volatiles are not well understood, and the few previous studies with relevance to this question did not examine natural plant volatile blends (Plettner and Gries 2010;Gong and Plettner 2011;Li et al 2012). A field study with male Asian gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar asiatica) found evidence for synergistic interactions between the sexual pheromone and the main volatile compounds emitted by damaged Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), as higher trap captures of males were observed using a combination of pheromone and a mixture of α-pinene, 1(S)-β-pinene, camphene, 3-carene, and 1-hexanol than with either the volatile mixture or the pheromone separately (Li et al 2012). EAG tests also revealed stronger antennal responses towards a mixture, versus individually tested volatiles at concentrations between 0.1 and 100 μg/mL in a solution of n-hexane, presented in an initial volume of 10 μL added to a 25 mm × 5 mm piece of filter paper (Li et al 2012).…”

“…A field study with male Asian gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar asiatica) found evidence for synergistic interactions between the sexual pheromone and the main volatile compounds emitted by damaged Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), as higher trap captures of males were observed using a combination of pheromone and a mixture of α-pinene, 1(S)-β-pinene, camphene, 3-carene, and 1-hexanol than with either the volatile mixture or the pheromone separately (Li et al 2012). EAG tests also revealed stronger antennal responses towards a mixture, versus individually tested volatiles at concentrations between 0.1 and 100 μg/mL in a solution of n-hexane, presented in an initial volume of 10 μL added to a 25 mm × 5 mm piece of filter paper (Li et al 2012). These findings are consistent with the results of both our single-and dual-choice behavioral assays, which indicate that there is an interaction between the sexual pheromone of L. dispar and plant volatiles.…”