Reexamination of Tetradecenyl Acetates in Oak Leaf Roller Sex Pheromone and in Plants

Abstract

The chemistry of the oak leaf roller sex pheromone is shown by means of microozonolysis and computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to be dominated by an approximate 70 to 30 ratio of E- and Z-11-tetradecenyl acetates. Tetradecenyl acetates are undetectable in highly purified oak leaf, apple leaf, and corn extracts analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These results reflect negatively on previous reports and on the hypothesis that plant components might govern insect chemical communication systems.

Insect chemosensory responses: a chemical legacy hypothesis

“…Similar ideas were formulated for pheromones by Hendry er al. (1975) although the experimental evidence was later withdrawn (Hindenlang & Wichmann, 1977). The subsequent finding by Nordlund et al (1983) of an oviposition response by an egg parasite to the sex pheromone of its moth host reopens the possibility that eggs may carry traces of pheromones.…”

Insect Pheromones: A Critical Review of Recent Advances in Their Chemistry, Biology, and Application

“…It is now generally accepted that the sex pheromone of this tortricid moth species is a specific blend (67: 33) of (E)-ll-and (Z)-ll-tetradecenyl acetates (477). It is also accepted that in this species this ratio is not influenced by diet (478). However, the effects of diet on the amount of pheromonal compounds have been suggested for the summer fruit tortrix moth (479), the gypsy moth (480) and the smaller tea tortrix moth (481).…”

“…The suggestion that the sex pheromone composition of the oak leaf roller was dependent to a large extent on diet was made (82,475,476) and refuted (477,478). It is now generally accepted that the sex pheromone of this tortricid moth species is a specific blend (67: 33) of (E)-ll-and (Z)-ll-tetradecenyl acetates (477).…”