Sex pheromone of the red clover casebearer moth, Coleophora deauratella, an invasive pest of clover in Canada

Abstract

The red clover casebearer, Coleophora deauratella Lienig & Zeller (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae), is an invasive pest of Trifolium species (Fabaceae) in Canada. We identified candidate sex pheromone components from female pheromone gland extracts using coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic analysis detection. Three compounds elicited an electrophysiological response from antennae and were identified as: (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate, (Z)‐5‐dodecenyl acetate, and (Z)‐7‐dodecen‐1‐ol. Field tests of the candidate pheromone components revealed that males were attracted to a binary mixture of (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate and (Z)‐5‐dodecenyl acetate. Male moth trap capture was greatest in traps baited with lures containing 100:10 or 100:20 ratios of these pheromone components, respectively. Trap capture was reduced when (Z)‐5‐dodecenyl acetate was present below 10 or above 20% of (Z)‐7‐dodecenyl acetate. Equal numbers of male moths were captured in traps baited with 10, 100, and 1 000 μg of the attractive binary mixture. These findings allow for the development of a pheromone‐based monitoring system for this invasive pest of clover in Canada.

Mating disruption ofColeophora deauratella(Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) using laminate flakes in red clover seed production fields

“…Hercon Disrupt Micro‐Flake ® dispensers (Hercon Environmental, Emigsville, PA) (hereafter flakes) were formulated to contain 9.5% active ingredients (complete pheromone blend: 10:1 Z 7‐12:OAc to Z 5‐12:OAc, Evenden et al ) and 90.5% inert ingredients with a manufacturer‐recommended application rate of 280 g flakes ha −1 . The application rate was targeted to provide a release rate of 407 mg AI ha −1 day −1 for 60 days.…”

“…Red clover, Trifolium pratense L. (Fabaceae), is an important temperate region forage and cover crop that can suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion and enhance soil quality through nitrogen fixation . The red clover casebearer, Coleophora deauratella Leinig and Zeller (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae), is an important pest throughout most red clover seed production regions . It is native to Europe, Eastern Siberia and the Middle East and was introduced to North America more than 50 years ago .…”

“…It is native to Europe, Eastern Siberia and the Middle East and was introduced to North America more than 50 years ago . In Europe, C. deauratella causes only minor damage, with occasional but severe infestations; however, in Canada, C. deauratella infestations have led to >80% seed losses . Furthermore, C. deauratella was recently identified from the Willamette Valley in western Oregon (Mori BA, unpublished), the largest red clover seed production region in the world…”

“…6 In Europe, C. deauratella causes only minor damage, with occasional but severe infestations; 3 however, in Canada, C. deauratella infestations have led to >80% seed losses. 4,5 Furthermore, C. deauratella was recently identified from the Willamette Valley in western Oregon (Mori BA, unpublished), the largest red clover seed production region in the world. 7 Coleophora deauratella is univoltine, with adults beginning to emerge in late May or early June.…”

Red clover casebearer moth (Coleophora deauratella) is widespread throughout New Zealand

“…A male sex pheromone specific to C. deauratella, that comprises of a 100:10 ratio of Z -7-dodecenyl acetate (Z 7-12:OAc) to Z-5-dodecenyl acetate (Z 5-12:OAc) (Evenden et al 2010) (Table 1). They were emptied at 7-14 day intervals and the pheromone replaced at 5-6 week intervals.…”