摘要

We investigated whether spruce seed moth, Cydia strobilella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae, Grapholitini), one of the most damaging seed predators on Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) H. Karst (Pinaceae), uses olfactory cues during host search. Analyses with coupled gas chromatography and electroantennography revealed that antennae of both sexes of moths responded consistently to three compounds in the headspace from female spruce flowers, i.e., alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and myrcene, but not to limonene as has been previously reported for this species. The amounts of these active volatiles released from flowers and cones of P. abies were quantified, and their diurnal and seasonal variation was monitored. The total release of the active volatiles correlated well with the diurnal and seasonal flight activity of C. strobilella as revealed by catches ofmales in pheromone-baited traps. In field trapping experiments, where baits were loaded with proportions and enantiomeric ratios of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and myrcene matching those of the female P. abies floral headspace, substantial catches of male C. strobilella were achieved, whereas few females were captured. These surprising results suggest that male C. strobilella make use of host volatiles to aid them in their search for females.

  • 出版日期2016-9