Qualitative and quantitative analyses of volatiles and pheromone gland extracts collected fromGalleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Chemical analyses of pheromone-gland extracts and volatiles released by maleGalleria mellonella (L.), the greater wax moth, resulted in the identification and quantification of the aldehydes, primary alcohols, and fatty acids of nonane and undecane. Adult females released none of these six compounds. Mean percentages of the aldehydes and alcohols in the gland extracts were 19.0% undecanal, 3.9% nonanal, 48.3% 1-undecanol, and 28.8% 1-nonanol. Mean percentages of the aldehydes and alcohols in volatiles collected during the first hour of scotophase from moths 1 to 9 days old were 77.4% undecanal, 20.8% nonanal, 1.46% 1-undecanol, and 0.36% 1-nonanol. Age did not significantly affect the amount of each compound collected. The collection of volatiles from moths 3 to 5 days old during a 12-hr scotophase indicated that production was greatest during the first and third quarters of the period. Methylation of group volatile samples allowed the quantification of the fatty acids.