Identification and Field Evaluation of Sex Pheromone Components and Its Antagonist Produced by a Major Tea Pest, Archips strojny (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract

Pesticide application is the only known control method for the tea tortrix Archips strojny (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), which is a major pest of spring tea in China. To develop sex pheromone-based, environmentally safe control strategies, here we identified the sex pheromone components of this species. The male moths’ antennae responded electrophysiologically to two compounds in female pheromone gland extracts. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the two bioactive compounds were (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:Ac) and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl alcohol (Z11-14:OH). Field trapping assays showed that lures baited with only the major component Z11-14:Ac were the most attractive to male moths, and the attractiveness decreased significantly when the lure was impregnated with increased relative ratios of the minor component Z11-14:OH. Our study demonstrated that Z11-14:Ac was the major attractant in the A. strojny sex pheromone, and the minor component Z11-14:OH seemed to serve as an antagonist. The results indicate that lures baited with 1 mg of Z11-14:Ac could be used as a monitoring or mass trapping tool for A. strojny management in Chinese tea plantations. Furthermore, Z11-14:Ac was identified as a common sex pheromone attractant of nine Archips species; these results lay the foundation for developing mating disruption techniques that target multiple leafroller pests.

Identification and evaluation of cruciferous plant volatiles attractive to Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

“…Field‐trapping assays were carried out as described previously with modifications 20 . The test compounds were used in combination with triangle traps and different colored sticky boards.…”

“…Field-trapping assays were carried out as described previously with modifications. 20 The test compounds were used in combination with triangle traps and different colored sticky boards. The test was performed in a cabbage field (>30 000 m 2 ) in Taigu district, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, China (37°46 0 35 00 N, 112°5 0 0 54 00 E) from late June to mid-July 2022.…”

Study on the trapping effects of Brassica allelochemicals on Plutella xylostella adults

“…Adult cabbage moths have a body length of approximately 6 mm, accompanied by a wingspan of about 15 mm. Their forewings, though diminutive, are adorned with lighter front edges, while displaying scattered dark spots (Fu et al, 2022).Brassica spp. plants in the Brassicaceae family are globally cultivated and recognized for their nutritional value and adaptability (Jabeen, 2020).…”

“…Adult cabbage moths have a body length of approximately 6 mm, accompanied by a wingspan of about 15 mm. Their forewings, though diminutive, are adorned with lighter front edges, while displaying scattered dark spots (Fu et al, 2022).…”

Identification and biocontrol potential evaluation of a naturally occurring Metarhizium pingshaense isolate infecting tea weevil Myllocerinus aurolineatus Voss (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Tea, which is made from the tender leaves of tea plants (Camellia sinensis O. Ktze), is one of the most consumed non-alcoholic beverages worldwide because of its health benefits, pleasant fragrances, and refreshing tastes (Fu et al 2022). The tea weevil (Myllocerinus aurolineatus Voss; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a destructive leaffeeding pest in Chinese tea plantations (Sun et al 2012).…”