Field and electroantennogram responses to sex pheromone optical isomers by monophagous jack pine sawflies (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae).

Several species of monophagous jack pine sawflies (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) were tested in the field and by electroantennograms (EAG) for activity toward the optical isomers of a pine sawfly sex pheromone, the acetate and propionate esters of 3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol.Neodiprion rugifrons andNeodiprion dubiosus were attracted to a mixture of the propionate esters of the 2S,3R,7R and 2S,3R,7S isomers, whereasNeodiprion swainei was attracted to the 2S,3S,7S propionate isomer. Samples containing the 2S,3R,7S propionate isomer elicited the strongest EAG responses in these three species andNeodiprion nigroscutum. The 2S,3S,7S propionate isomer was equally active (EAG) in the case ofN. swainei.