Identification of sex attractant pheromone components of the tussock moth,Euproctis taiwana (Shiraki) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae).

Two compounds were isolated and identified from abdominal tips of the female tussock moth,Euproctis taiwana (Shiraki), by a combination of gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection, coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis, microreaction, and synthesis. These compounds were (Z)-16-methyl-9-heptadecenyl isobutyrate (74.8%) and 16-methylheptadecyl isobutyrate (25.2%). Their total amount was determined to be ca. 29.8 ng/female. Field bioassays showed that (Z)-16-methyl-9-heptadecenyl isobutyrate is a sex attractant for the male moths. These chemical compounds had not previously been found as the sex pheromone components in the genusEuproctis.