Abstract
Four major volatile components emitted from flowers of Abelia grandiflora were identified based on retention time using two capillary columns of different polarities and electron impact mass spectrometry. These are phenylacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, 2-phenylethanol, and benzyl alcohol. A blend of these compounds was as effective as a cluster of flowers in stimulating upwind flight by male Trichoplusia ni to the source in a wind-tunnel test. Phenylacetaldehyde or 2-phenylethanol were each as effective as the complete blend in stimulating source location by male moths. Attraction to a source of the synthetic blend was demonstrated in virgin males and females and mated males and females, but virgin moths of both sexes were more likely than mated moths to complete the sequence of behavioral responses necessary to locate the odor source.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 637-646 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Chemical Ecology |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1991 |
Keywords
- Lepidoptera
- Noctuidae
- Trichoplusia ni
- anemotaxis
- floral attractants
- wind tunnel
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Biochemistry