Experiments with a two-component sex attractant of the silver Y moth (Autographa gamma L.), and some evidence for the presence of both components in natural female sex pheromone.

(Z)-7-Dodecen-1-yl acetate and (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol were synthesized and tested on males of the silver Y moth (Autographa gamma L.) for sex attractant activity. The key step of the synthesis was the isomerization of acetylenic alcohol (III) with potassium 3-amino-propylamide. In EAG tests with a series of dodecen-1-yl acetates and alcohols, the highest activity was elicited by these two compounds. In field tests using three different kinds of dispensers, highest catches were achieved with a mixture of (Z)-7-dodecen-1 -yl acetate and (Z)-7-dodecen-1 -ol which contained 1-5% of the alcohol. Some evidence was also found for the presence of both compounds in extracts of the abdominal tip of females. The quantities of these components in the extract was 1.0 ng/female for the acetate, and 1.1 ng/female for the alcohol.