Analysis of sex pheromone production and field trapping of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée)in Xinjiang,China

Identifying the sex pheromone systems of local pest populations facilitates their management,especially for moth species that show significant geographic variation in sex pheromone communication.We investigated the pheromone production and behavioral responses of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée;ACB)in Xinjiang,China.The ACB produces three compounds:(Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(Z12-14:Ac)and(E)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(E12-14:Ac)which are two sex pheromone compounds,and n-tetradecyl acetate(14:Ac)which has variable roles in mediating behavioral responses.The ratios of these three compounds produced in female gland are geographically distinct among different populations.Quantitative analysis of pheromone production showed that the proportions of Z12-14:Ac in the E/Z isomers(i.e.,Z and E12-14:Ac)and the proportions of 14:Ac in the ternary blend respectively averaged 60.46%(SD=5.26)and 25.00%(SD=7.37),with their probabilities normally or near-normally distributed.Trapping experiments in a cornfield indicated that deploying the E/Z isomers and the three compounds in rubber septa close to their gland ratios yielded the most captured males,while other ratios that deviated from the gland ratios showed reduced field captures.The ternary blend was significantly more attractive to males than the E/Z isomers in the field,indicating a functional role of 14:Ac as the third pheromone component used by the local population.Additionally,the dose-response test demonstrated that the application of the three compounds at dosages between 200 and 350μg attracted significantly more males compared to other dosages.Therefore,the characterization of this local ACB pheromone system provides additional information about its geographic variation and serves as a basis for optimizing the pheromone-mediated control of this pest in Xinjiang.

Pheromone Monitoring in the Granaries of Uzbekistan

The pheromonitoring of pest insects population was carried out in the granary conditions. The results of pheromonitoring let us detect the pest insect’s location at lowest abundance, while visual inspections are not effective, and to determine the data of effective location in granary, proportions traps and pheromone preparative dose. The aggregation pheromone of the synthetic analogue Sitophilus weevils had been carried out, according to the general procedure for preparation of aldol product. Especially for increasing attractiveness of pheromone traps, different types of food baits were tested. The results were observed with using of germinated wheat grains moisten by wheat germ oil. The corn oil was more attractive and effective for attractiveness of whole pest insects in granary. The wheat germ oil and burdock oil was preferred, as food bait, especially for weevils. The special perforated construction of the pheromone trap for pest insects usage has been developed and recommended for storage areas. In a condition of granary, successful testing of pheromone monitoring makes it possible to establish the timing and necessity of quantitative chemical treatments.

Development of a high-efficiency sex pheromone formula to control Euproctis pseudoconspersa

The tea tussock moth(Euproctis pseudoconspersa)is one of the most destructive chewing pests in tea plantations and causes a serious allergic reaction on the skin of tea plantation workers.The sex pheromone components of its Japanese population were first identified as 10,14-dimethylpentadecyl isobutyrate(10Me14Me-15:iBu)and 14-methylpentadecyl isobutyrate(14Me-15:iBu),with a stereogenic center.Only 10Me14Me-15:iBu has been identified in the Chinese E.pseudoconspersa population.However,field tests have shown that 10Me14Me-15:iBu cannot meet the demand of effective pest control in China.To develop a high-efficiency E.pseudoconspersa sex pheromone formula,electroantennogram(EAG)recordings of(S)-and(R)-enantiomers of 10Me14Me-15:iBu and 14Me-15:iBu were obtained in the present study.The results demonstrated that the EAG responses of male antennae to(R)-enantiomers were significantly higher than responses to the(S)-enantiomers,and 14Me-15:iBu also elicited EAG activity.Field tests showed that the catch numbers of male moths by(R)-enantiomers were significantly higher(P<0.05)than those of(S)-enantiomers.Addition of 14Me-15:iBu significantly increased the catch numbers of both the(S)-and(R)-enantiomers.The efficient pheromone formula containing 0.75 mg(R)-10Me14Me-15:iBu and 0.1 mg 14Me-15:iBu showed significantly higher attractiveness than commercial pheromone products.Our study demonstrated that(R)-10Me14Me-15:iBu was the major sex pheromone component of E.pseudoconspersa,and 14Me-15:iBu might be the minor sex pheromone component.Furthermore,a high-efficiency sex pheromone formula for E.pseudoconspersa control was defined in this study.

Synthesis, Characterization and Phytotoxicity Assessment of Intercalated Insect Pheromone, Lignoceric Acid-Zinc Layered Hydroxide Nanohybrid

A long chain insect pheromone for subterranean termites, LC (Lignoceric Acid), was intercalated into the inorganic interlayer, ZLH (Zinc Layered Hydroxide), resulting in the formation of a new nanohybrid, labelled as LCN (Lignocerate Nanohybrid). The formation of this inorganic-organic structure nanohybrid was synthesized by the co-precipitation method using ZnO (Zinc Oxide) as the starting material. The PXRD (Powder X-Ray Diffraction) results confirmed the intercalation process although the diffraction patterns of the resultant nanohybrid and the unbound pheromone were fairly similar but both have different basal spacings values. The FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) profiles and the chemical composition test supported the intercalation process with the percentage loading of LC into ZLH calculated to be 85%. The thermal stability of the free anion, LC was enhanced when it was transformed into LCN, increasing from 257 °C to 352 °C. The release of LC from the nanohybrid behaved in a sustained manner, governed by the pseudo-second order kinetic model with higher release of LC in sodium carbonate solution than the pH aqueous media. The synthesized nanohybrid was found to be safe for plant germination when the two seed types were successfully germinated in all the tested nanohybrid concentrations. However, the percentage seed germination and the radical seed length from the nanohybrid showed lower values compared to its counterpart anion, LC.

A larval specific OBP able to bind the major female sex pheromone component in Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)

Odorant binding proteins （OBPs） in insects are postulated to solubilize and transport the hydrophobic odorants across the hydrophilic antennal lymph to the olfactory receptors （ORs） located on the dendrite membrane of the sensory neurons. OBPs in adult insects have been intensively reported, but those in larvae are rarely addressed. In our study, a full-length OBP cDNA, namely SexiOBP13, was cloned by RT-PCR and RACE strategy from the heads of Spodoptera exigua larvae. The quantitative real-time PCR （qPCR） measurement indicated that SexiOBP13 was highly expressed in larval head, but very low in other parts of larva and was not detected in any tissues of adult. The binding affinities of SexiOBP13 to plant volatiles and female sex pheromone components were measured by competitive binding assays. Interestingly, SexiOBP13 displayed a high binding affinity （Ki=3.82 IJmol L-1） to Z9,E12-14：Ac, the major sex pheromone component of S. exigua, while low affinities to the tested host plant volatiles （Ki〉27 μmol L-l）. The behavioral tests further confirmed that Z9,E12-14：Ac was indeed active to elicit the behavioral activity of the third instar larvae of S. exigua. Taken together, our results suggest that SexiOBP13 may play a role in reception of female sex pheromone in S. exigua larvae. The ecological significance of the larvae preference to the adult female sex pheromone was discussed.

A Facile Synthetic Method for (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-Epoxy-3,6-heneicosadiene,Sex Pheromone Component of Hyphantria Cunea (Drug)

Total synthesis of (3Z, 6Z, 9S, 10R)-9, 10-epoxy-3, 6-heneicosadiene, sex pheromone component of Hyphantria cunea (Drug), was achieved using Sharpless AE kinetic resolution and alkylative epoxide rearrangement as key steps.

Using an Electronic Nose to Rapidly Assess Grandlure Content in Boll Weevil Pheromone Lures

Samples of pheromone lures used in boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis （Boheman）, eradication programs are routinely analyzed by Gas Chromatography （GC） to ensure lures are adequately dosed with grandlure, the synthetic aggregation phero- mone produced by male weevils. However, preparation of GC samples is tedious, time consuming, and requires a moderate level of experience. We examined the use of a commercially-available electronic nose （e-nose） for rapidly assessing the grandlure contents of lures. The e-nose was trained to recognize headspace collections of grandlure emitted from new lures and after lures were aged under field conditions for 4 d, 7 d, 10 d, and 14 d. Based on cross-validation of the training set, the e-nose was 82% accurate in discriminating among the different age classes of lures. Upon sampling headspace collections of pheromone from a different set of field-aged lures, the e-nose was 〈50% accurate in discriminating 4 d, 7 d, and 10 d aged lures from the other age classes of lures. However, the e-nose identified new and 14 d aged lure samples with 100% accuracy. In light of these findings, e-nose technology shows considerable promise as an alternative approach for rapidly assessing the initial grandlure contents of lures used in boll weevil eradication programs.

Artificial Pheromone System Using RFID for Navigation of Autonomous Robots

Navigation system based on the animal behavior has received a growing attention in the past few years. The navigation systems using artificial pheromone are still few so far. For this reason, this paper presents our research that aim to implement autonomous navigation with artificial pheromone system. By introducing artificial pheromone system composed of data carriers and autonomous robots, the robotic system creates a potential field to navigate their group. We have developed a pheromone density model to realize the function of pheromones with the help of data carders. We intend to show the effectiveness of the proposed system by performing simulations and realization using modified mobile robot. The pheromone potential field system can be used for navigation of autonomous robots.

Optimization of the sex pheromone-based method for trapping field populations of Phthorimaea operculella(Zeller)in South China

Despite the identification of the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella(Zeller)sex pheromone,no effective application based on this pheromone has yet been developed and evaluated.This study investigated the effect of pheromone lures,trap densities,heights of trap deployment,and pheromone doses in Yunnan,China,for the purpose of increasing the control efficiency of P.operculella and improving the application of pheromone technology in the field.The results showed that lures made of corn oil and red PVC pipes attracted the highest number of moths(11.73±1.90 per trap per day).Sex pheromone loading of 100μg was optimal for trapping moths,but higher doses of pheromone inhibited attraction.The density of traps did not affect capture rates;therefore,the optimum trap density was 30–40 traps ha^(–1).The optimum height of trap deployment was not above the height of the plant canopy.This study provides technical details necessary for the monitoring and control of potato tuber moth using sex pheromones.

Suppression of Rice Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis by Mass Trapping Using Synthetic Sex Pheromone in Paddy Field

Suppressing effects of mass trapping using synthetic sex pheromone with main active ingredients of Z-11-hexadecenal, Z-13-octadecenal and Z-9-hexadecenal on the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis were investigated during the flight periods of the overwintering and 1st generation in the paddy area of 60 ha in 1999. Population density of C. suppressalis in the pheromone-treated fields was lower than that in control. The egg masses decreased by 74.39% and population size of adult males of the 1st generation decreased by 61.64% in the treated fields as compared to control. Meanwhile, the damage by C. suppressalis larvae was significantly lower in the treated fields than control (t-test, P=0.05). Percentages of brownish leaf sheath, dead heart, and white head in the treated fields were decreased by 70.90%, 57.01% and 44.30%, respectively in contrast to control. The present study demonstrated that mass trapping to C. suppressalis using synthetic sex pheromone shows great potential as an alternative measure in an environment-friendly pest management and at the same challenging the insecticide use that has some environment impacts.

Occurrence Regularity and Sexual Pheromone Trapping Effect of Spodoptera litura in Field in Central Guizhou

The Spodoptera litura occurrence quantity in Tianlong Town,Pingba County,Anshun City was dynamically monitored by an insect sex pheromone electronic measurement and forecast system in 2015 and 2016 and the trapped effect of S. litura was studied by the home-made S. litura sex pheromone traps in Baishiyan Town,Ziyun County and Tianlong Town,Pingba County in 2016 to accurately grasp the occurrence regularity of S. litura and apply insect sex pheromone for controlling S. litura in Central Guizhou tobacco-growing region. There are 5 generations of S. litura in a year in Central Guizhou region. The first generation of S.litura occurs from late April to middle May,the second from middle-to-late July to middle-to-late August,the third from early-to-middle August to the end of September,the fourth is in the end of October and the fifth in the end of November. S. litura emigrates or enters into the overwintering stage in December. S. litura is almost in active in the daytime during the peak occurrence period of S. litura adults. The first mating time of S. litura is at 17: 30 and its peak mating time is about 22: 00. The second mating time of S. litura is at 1: 00-5: 00 and its peak mating time is about 2: 30. The trapped S. litura quantity presents an obvious layer-belt distribution that the number in the outer ring is significantly higher than that in the middle ring,and the number in the middle ring is significantly higher than that in the inner ring. The number of trapped S. litura is higher around the outer ring of the testing field and at the draught position than in the low-lying land and inner flat ground.

Control Effect and Cost Evaluation of Different Sex Pheromones and Trapping Lamps against Spodoptern litura,Helicoverpa assulta and Helicoverpa armigera in Tobacco

[ Objective] The aim was to study the control effect of different sex pheromones and trapping lamps against main pests in tobacco. [ Method] Control effect of sex pheromone of different matrix lures and Jiaduo trapping lamp against Spodoptern litura, Helicoverpa assulta and Helicoverpa armigera in tobacco in Teng- chong of Yunnan were determined and compared, and the control cast was evaluated. [Result] The use of insect sex pheromones and insecticidal light traps had certain effect against S. litura and H. armiger. The trapping effect of sex pheromone traps was better than that of Jiaduo trapping lamp, and the PVC matrix lure had better performance than rubber matrix lure, which had strongest capturing capacity, continuous control effect and significant effort against S. litura. The traps with different settled densities and hanging heights also had different trapping effect against S. litura and H. armiger, and the hanging height of 100 - 150 cm from ground was the best; as the cost was considered, the cast of the area with low density of traps was the lowest, which was reduced by over 44% than conventional chemical control area. [ Conclusion] It is safe and effective to use sex pheromone and insecticidal light traps to control S. litura and H. armigera, and it is a green environmental protection biological physical control technology, having extended application prospect in large area.

Ant Colony Optimization Based on Adaptive Volatility Rate of Pheromone Trail

Ant colony optimization (ACO) has been proved to be one of the best performing algorithms for NP-hard problems as TSP. The volatility rate of pheromone trail is one of the main parameters in ACO algorithms. It is usually set experimentally in the literatures for the application of ACO. The present paper first proposes an adaptive strategy for the volatility rate of pheromone trail according to the quality of the solutions found by artificial ants. Second, the strategy is combined with the setting of other parameters to form a new ACO method. Then, the proposed algorithm can be proved to converge to the global optimal solution. Finally, the experimental results of computing traveling salesman problems and film-copy deliverer problems also indicate that the proposed ACO approach is more effective than other ant methods and non-ant methods.

Field Efficacy Trial of Trapping Tea Green Leafhopper with Pheromone Insect-attracting Board

[Objective]The paper was to study the control effect of pheromone insect-attracting board on tea green leafhopper（Empoasca vitis Gothe）in fields. [Method]Pheromone insect-attracting board and ordinary insect-attracting board were used to trap tea green leafhopper in fields,and control efficacies were studied.[Result]The daily trapping effect of pheromone insect-attracting board on tea green leafhopper was 19.0 insect/grid,while that of ordinary insect-attracting board was 13.8 insect/grid.The highest control effect of pheromone insect-attracting board and ordinary insect-attracting board were 71.6% and 63. 6%,respectively.The distribution of tea green leafhopper in two types of boards showed the following regularities：more in upper edge and less in lower edge of boards,more on both sides and less in the middle of boards.The mean values of control effects of two insect-attracting boards were significantly different（t =5.66

Synthesis of the Stereoisomers of the Sex Pheromones of the Southern Corn Rootworm

A simple and efficient asymmetric synthesis of the sex pheromone of the southern corn rootworm is discribed. The key step is the asymmetric Michael addition of enoylsultam with virtually complete asymmetric induction( e.e. %>99%)

Bile salt derivatives with novel skeleton from sea lamprey function as putative pheromone

OBJECTIVE The invasive sea lamprey(Petromyzon marinus)has devastated the ecosystem of the Laurentian Great Lakes.Application of pheromones to manipulate adult sea lamprey behavior is among the options considered for alternative sea lamprey control techniques.The male sea lamprey sex pheromone is hypothesized to be possess multiple functions through actions of multiple components,some of which have yet to be characterized.Our objective is to isolate and characterize the bioactive components from water conditioned with sexually mature male sea lamprey.METHODS The water conditioned with sexually mature male sea lamprey was extracted by solid phase extraction and concentrated in vacuo.The compounds were isolated by liquid chromatography and elucidated by spectrometry and spectroscopy.Their biological activities were evaluated by electro-olfactogram recordings and two-choice maze behavioral assays.RESULTS Five novel bile salts,petromyzene A and B and petromyzone A-C,have been characterized.Petromyzene A and B featured either a unique,rearranged side chain or a rare cis-11,12-diol on the steroidal B-ring.Petromyzone A-C represented three novel highly oxidized sulfated bile alcohols possessing different hydroxylation,oxidation,and double bond patterns,which exemplify the chemical diversity of bile salts.These five bile salts were potent odorants that stimulated the adult sea lamprey olfactory epithelium in a concentration dependent manner and showed detection thresholds between 10–13mol·L^(-1) and 10^(–11)mol·L^(-1)(paired t-test,P<0.05).Experiments in the two-choice maze showed that all isolated compounds induced behavioral responses in ovulated females.CONCLUSION The five novel compounds are likely additional components of pheromones released by sexually mature male sea lamprey,and may provide useful behavioral manipulation tools to be implemented with the integrated management of the destructive and invasive sea lamprey in the Laurentian Great Lakes.

Synthesis of (R)(E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2-octene-1,8-dioic Acid, a Copulation Released Pheromone Component of Azuki Bean Weevil

Started from 5-hydroxy-2-pentanone, (R)(E)-3,7-dimethyl-2-octene-1,8-dioic acid, callosobruchusic acid, was synthesized via five steps with D-(-)-camphor sultam as the chiral auxiliary. It was of good optical purity and yield.

Synergic effect of sex pheromone(7R,8S)-cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadec-17-ene on(+)-disparlure of the Asian gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar, in Korea

field attraction test of (7R,8S)-cis-7,8-epoxy-2- methyloctadec-17-ene (= 7R,8S-epo-2me-17ene-18Hy), a trace component of the sex pheromone gland of the Asian gypsy moth,(Lymantria dispar), traps that were baited with the trace component attracted more L. dispar than traps baited with (7S,8R)-cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadec-17-ene (= 7S,8R-epo-2me-17ene-18Hy) and unbaited traps. However, traps baited with 7R,8S-epo-2me-17ene-18Hy were less attractive than traps baited with (+)-disparlure [=(7R,8S)-cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane], the sex pheromone of L. dispar. Combination tests with (?)-disparlure, 7R,8S-epo-2me-17ene-18Hy, and 7S,8R-epo-2me- 17ene-18Hy revealed that 7R,8S-epo-2me-17ene-18Hy acted synergistically with (?)-disparlure.

Control Effects of a New Sex Pheromone Trap and Biological Agents on Sesamia inferens Walker and Argyroploce schistaceana (Snellen)

This study was conducted to explore and seek high-efficiency and safe green control techniques on sugarcane borers,promote green control of diseases and pests of sugarcane and build a resource-conserving,environmentally friendly and sustainable governance system of diseases and pests of sugarcane.A new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers,abamectin· Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and tebufenozide were selected and applied in field trials.The use of the new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers (6 traps/hm 2) in combination with 0.05% abamectin·10 billion active gemmae/g B.thuringiensis (Bt) WP (1.8 kg/hm 2) or new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers (6 traps/hm 2) in combination with 200 g/L tebufenozide SC (1.5 L/hm 2) were the best in the sugarcane production.New sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers should be installed in early march,and biological agents were mixed with water 900 kg per hectare and sprayed evenly sugarcane plants at the beginning of April.Their control effects of dead heart rate and bored stalk rate could be more than 69.98% and 49.09%,respectively,which were superior to that of the control pesticide 3.6% bisultap GR (90 kg/hm 2).The results showed that new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers in combination with abamectin· B.thuringiensis (Bt) or tebufenozide was the optimum mode of green control techniques on sugarcane borers.When it was alternately or coordinately used with other technology,it could delay the emergence and development of drug resistance,and it was worthy of widespread popularization and application in sugarcane area.

An Evolutionary Algorithm to Optimization of Discrete Problem Based on Pheromone

The pheromone based positive feedback approach of ant algorithm is introduced in evolutionary computation of discrete problem, so as to accomplish the optimization of each allele. It ensures stable converge of the algorithm into global optimum. The optimal cutting problem is studied as an example to analyze the performance of the algorithm. The experimental results show the novel performance of the algorithm in the optimization of discrete problem.