Individual Variation in the Sex Pheromone Components of the False Codling Moth, Cryptophlebia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortriciade)

Abstract

Analysis of individual pheromone glands of the false codling moth Cryptophlebia leucotreta Meyr. originating from South Africa, was performed by capillary gas chromatography. During the calling period, the pheromones are concentrated in the dorsal part of the intersegmental membrane between the abdominal segments VIII and IX. The average amount of pheromones and related compounds present in the gland was 412 ng/♀. This total amount was highly variable from individual to individual (200—740 ng/♀). However, the relative amounts of (Z)- and (E)-8-dodecenyl acetates showed a narrow variance. The coefficients of variance values of these two components, 10 and 19 respectively, were significantly lower than those of other components present in the gland. The results infer that the different isomer ratios of (Z)- and (E)-8-dodecenyl acetates reported for C. leucotreta cannot be due to individual variations. Hence, the presence of different geographical strains can be expected. © 1986, Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung. All rights reserved.