Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification and Field Evaluation of Components of Female Sex Pheromone of Millet Stem Borer, Coniesta ignefusalis

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Five active compounds were detected during analyses of ovipositor washings and effluvia from virgin female Coniesta ignefusalis moths by gas chromatography (GC) linked to electroantennographic (EAG) recording from a male moth. These were identified as (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol (Z7–12:OH), (Z)-5-decen-1-ol (Z5–10:OH), (Z)-7-dodecenal (Z7–12:Ald), (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7–12:Ac), and (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9–14:OH) by comparison of their GC retention times, mass spectra, and EAG activities with those of synthetic standards. Laboratory tests of dispensers for these compounds showed that release rates from polyethylene vials increased to relatively uniform values after three to four days, but release from septa was very rapid and nonuniform and decreased to low levels after two to three days. Trapping tests in Niger showed that the major component, Z7–12:OH, and two of the minor components, Z5–10:OH and Z7–12:Ald, were essential for attraction of male C. ignefusalis moths. The most attractive blend contained these three components in a 100:5:3.3 ratio in a polyethylene vial, which emitted the components in similar proportions to those produced by the female C. ignefusalis moth. Water traps baited with this blend containing 1 mg of Z7–12:OH caught more male C. ignefusalis moths than traps baited with newly emerged female moths. Addition of up to 10% of the corresponding E isomers of the pheromone components had no effect on catches, but addition of the other two minor components detected, Z7–12:Ac and/or Z9–14:OH, to the attractive blend at naturally occurring levels caused significant reductions in trap catch.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Ajayi, O. 1990. Possibilities for integrated control of the millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis, Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Nigeria. Insect Sci. Appl. 11:109–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arn, H., Toth, M., and Priesner, E. 1998. PheroList: List of sex pheromones of Lepidoptera and related attractants. http://nysaes.cornell.edu/pheronet/

  • Attygalle, A. B., Herrig, M., Vostrowsky, O., and Bestmann, H. J. 1987. Technique for injecting intact glands for analysis of sex pheromones of Lepidoptera by capillary gas chromatography. Reinvestigation of pheromone complex of Mamestra brassicae. J. Chem. Ecol. 13:1299–1311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bako, O. 1977. Étude biologique de Haimbachia ignefusalis (Hamps.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Crambinae) en vue d'une lutte biologique. Thèse maitrise. Université Laval, Quebec, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beevor, P. S., Cork, A., Hall, D. R., Nesbitt, B. F., Day, R. K., and Mumford, J. D. 1986. Components of the female sex pheromone of the cocoa pod borer moth, Conopomorpha cramerella. J. Chem. Ecol. 12:1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, R. S. 1966. Isolation, identification and synthesis of the sex attractant of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 59:767–771.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biostad, L. B., Linn, C. E., Du, J.-W., and Roelofs, W. L. 1984. Identification of new sex pheromone components in Trichoplusia ni, predicted from biosynthetic precursors. J. Chem. Ecol. 10:1309–1323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, L. I., and McDonough, L. M. 1981. Insect sex pheromones: Evaporation rates of alcohols and acetates from natural rubber septa. J. Chem. Ecol. 7:627–633.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, W. W. 1988. Equivalent chain lengths of methyl ester derivatives of fatty acids on gas chromatography: A reappraisal. J. Chromatogr. 447:305–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cork, A., Beevor, P. S., Gough, A. J. E., and Hall, D. R. 1990. Gas chromatography linked to electroantennography: A versatile technique for identifying insect semiochemicals, pp. 271–279, in A. R. McCaffery and I. D. Wilson. Chromatography and Isolation of Insect Hormones and Pheromones. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunkelblum, E., and Gothilf, S. 1983. Sex pheromone components of the gamma moth, Autographa gamma, (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Z. Naturforsch. 38c:1011–1014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunkelblum, E., Snir, R., Gothilf, S., and Harpaz, I. 1987. Identification of sex pheromone components from pheromone gland volatiles of the tomato looper, Plusia chalcites (Esp.). J. Chem. Ecol. 13:991–1003.

    Google Scholar 

  • FrÉrot, B., Dugdale, J. S., and Foster, S. P. 1993. Chemotaxonomy of some species of moths in the New Zealand genus Graphania based on sex pheromones. N.Z. J. Zool. 20:71–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grob, K., and Zurcher, F. 1976. Stripping of organic trace compounds from water. Equipment and procedure. J. Chromatogr. 117:285–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, K. M. 1962. Lepidopterous stem borers of cereals in Nigeria. Bull. Entomol. Res. 53:139–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, W. E., and Habgood, H. W. 1966. Programmed Temperature Gas Chromatography. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). 1989. ICRISAT West African Programmes Annual Report, 1988. BP 12404, Niamey, Niger: ICRISAT Sahelien Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • LÖfstedt, C., Van Der Pers, J. N. C., LÖfqvist, J., Lanne, B. S., Appelgren, M., BergstrÖm, G., and Thelin, B. 1982. Sex pheromone components of the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum: Chemical identification, electrophysiological evaluation and behavioural activity. J. Chem. Ecol. 8:1305–1321.

    Google Scholar 

  • LÖfstedt, C., Lanne, B. S., LÖfqvist, J., Appelgren, M., and BergstrÖm, G. 1985. Individual variation in the pheromone of the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum. J. Chem. Ecol. 11:1181–1196.

    Google Scholar 

  • LÖfstedt, C., LÖfqvist, J., Lanne, B. S., Van Der Pers, J. N. C., and Hansson, B. S. 1986. Pheromone dialects in European turnip moths, Agrotis segetum. Oikos 46:250–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazor, M., Harel, M., Levsky, S., and Dunkelblum, E. 1991. Sex pheromone components of female Cornutiplusia circumflexa. Entom. Exp. Appl. 60:167–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, L. M., and Butler, L. I. 1983. Insect sex pheromones: determination of half-lives from formulations by collection of emitted vapour. J. Chem. Ecol. 9:1491–1502.

    Google Scholar 

  • N'doye, M., and Gahukar, R. T. 1987. Insect pests of pearl millet in West Africa and their control, pp. 195–205, in Proceedings of the International Pearl Millet Workshop, April 7–11, 1986. ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India AP.

    Google Scholar 

  • N'doye, M., Gahukar, R. T., Carson, A. G., Selvaraj, C., M'baye, D. F., and Diallo, S. 1984. Situation of plant protection problems of millet crop in the Sahel, p. 18, in Proceedings of International Seminar: CILSS Pest Management Project, Niamey, December 6–13.

  • Nesbitt, B. F., Beevor, P. S., Lester, R., Davies, J. C., and Seshu Reddy, K. V. 1979. Components of the sex pheromone of the spotted stalk borer, Chilo partellus. (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Identification and preliminary field trials. J. Chem. Ecol. 5:153–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt, B. F., Beevor, P. S., Cork, A., Hall, D. R., David, H., and Nandagopal, V. 1986. The female sex pheromone of sugarcane stalk borer, Chilo auricilius. Identification of four components and field tests. J. Chem. Ecol. 12:1377–1388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Priesner, E. 1987. (Z)-5-Dodecen-1-ol, another inhibitor of pheromonal attraction in Coleophora laricella. Z. Naturforsch. 42c:1349–1351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Priesner, E. 1989. Two-component sexual attractant for male Batrachedra pinicolella (Zell.) (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae). Z. Naturforsch. 44c:1061–1062.

    Google Scholar 

  • Priesner, E., and Zhang, Q.-H. 1991. Field response of male eastern casebearer Coleophora dahurica Flkv. (Lep., Coleophoridae) to synthetic sex-attractant and attraction inhibitors. J. Appl. Entomol. 112:321–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Priesner, E., Altenkirch, W., Baltensweiler, W., and Bogenschutz, W. 1982. Evaluation of (Z)-5-decen-1-ol as an attractant for male larch casebearer moths, Coleophora laricella. Z. Naturforsch. 37c:953–966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sower, L. L., Coffelt, J. A., and Vick, K. W. 1973. Sex pheromone: A simple method of obtaining relatively pure material from females of five species of moths. J. Econ. Entomol. 66:1220–1222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Struble, D. L., Bryers, J. R., Shepherd, R. F., and Gray, T. G. 1989. Identification of sex phermone components of the black army cutworm, Actebia fennica (Tauscher) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and a sex attractant blend for adult males. Can. Entomol. 121:557–563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugie, H., Kawasaki, K., Nakagaki, S., and Iwata, N. 1991. Identification of sex pheromone of the semi-looper, Autographa nigrisigna Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Appl. Entomol. Zool. 26:71–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toth, M., and SzÕcs, g. 1991. (Z)-7-Dodecenol attractive to male Agrotis segetum Den. & Schiff. (Lep., Noctuidae) in the field. J. Appl. Entomol. 112:202–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tumlinson, J. H., Heath, R. R., and Teal, P. E. A. 1982. Analysis of chemical communication systems of Lepidoptera, pp. 1–25, in B. A. Leonhardt and M. Beroza (eds). Insect Pheromone Technology: Chemistry and Applications, ACS Symposium Series 190. American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underhill, E. W., Rogers, C. E., and Hogge, L. R. 1987. Sex attractants for two sunflower pests, Eucosma womonana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Isophrictis similiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Environ. Entomol. 16:463–466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youm, O., and Beevor, P. S. 1995. Evaluation of pheromone-baited traps for Coniesta ignefusalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Niger. J. Econ. Entomol. 88:65–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youm, O., and Gilstrap, F. E. 1993. Population dynamics and parasitism of Coniesta (= Haimbachia) ignefusalis, Sesamia calamistis and Heliocheilus albipunctella in millet monoculture. Insect Sci. Appl. 14:419–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youm, O., Beevor, P. S., and Hall, D. R. 1993. Trap design studies with the pheromone of Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 58–63, in P. S. Beevor, L. J. McVeigh and D. R. Hall (eds.). Proceedings IOBC/WPRS Working Group “Use of Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals in Integrated Control,” Chatham, UK, May 11–14, 1993, Vol. 16.

  • Youm, O., Harris, K. M., and Nwanze, K. F. 1996. Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson), the millet stem borer: A handbook of information. Information Bulletin No. 46. ICRISAT, Patancheru 50234, Andhra Pradesh, India, 60 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youm, O., Beevor, P. S., Hall, D. R., and McVeigh, L. J. 1997. The potential use of pheromones for the management of the millet stemborer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson). Insect Sci. Appl. 17:169–173.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TB, United Kingdom

    Peter S. Beevor, David R. Hall & Alan Cork

  2. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, ICRISAT Sahelian Center, B.P. 12404, Niamey, Niger

    Ousmane Youm

Authors
  1. Peter S. Beevor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ousmane Youm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David R. Hall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Alan Cork
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Beevor, P.S., Youm, O., Hall, D.R. et al. Identification and Field Evaluation of Components of Female Sex Pheromone of Millet Stem Borer, Coniesta ignefusalis . J Chem Ecol 25, 2643–2663 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020839221609

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020839221609

Search

Navigation