Olfactory activity of ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate on oriental fruit moth adults

Abstract: The potential attractive effect of pear ester (ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate) on adultCydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was investigated. The electroantennographic(EAG) responses of C. molesta to pear ester were recorded, and dose-response curves werecalculated. The attractivity of different dosages was assessed in laboratory bioassays in a dualchoiceolfactometric arena. The response of virgin males and females to pear ester in the presenceand absence of pear, peach, and apple (Pyrus communis L., Prunus persica (L.) Batsch., andMalus x domestica Borkh.; Rosaceae) shoots was evaluated. EAG recordings demonstrated thatboth male and female C. molesta were able to detect the pear ester. In our bioassay, pear esterreadily attracted males, whereas very few females were attracted to it. The response of males wasdose-dependent and males preferred pear ester over apple and pear shoot volatiles, while noapparent preference was observed between pear ester and peach shoot volatiles. Therefore, thiskairomonal compound could be more effective in attracting the oriental fruit moth when appliedin orchards of secondary host plants, like apple or pear, than in peach orchards.