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Pheromone Response Inhibitors of the Corn Stalk Borer Sesamia nonagrioides. Biological Evaluation and Toxicology

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Abstract

The behavioral activity of some trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) as inhibitors of the pheromone activity of the corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lef.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reported. The most closely-related analogue to the pheromone tested, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK), elicited a significant decrease in the number of male catches in traps baited with mixtures with the pheromone in 1:1 and 10:1 ratios in comparison to the pheromone alone. The E isomer of the analogue as well as two highly hydrated ketones, 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP) and 1,1-difluoropentadecyl trifluoromethyl ketone, were inactive. Conversely, the saturated TFMKs n-dodecyl trifluoromethyl ketone and, particularly, n-hexadecyl trifluoromethyl ketone induced a synergistic effect when mixed with the synthetic pheromone in 10:1 ratio. However, in a wind tunnel these chemicals did not elicit any differential effect on flying moths attracted to a source containing a 10:1 blend of the analogue and the pheromone. In a dual choice bioassay with two dispensers, containing the pheromone alone, and mixtures of Z11-16:TFMK and the pheromone and separated 5 cm apart, males showed no particular preference for either dispenser. The ketone mixture, however, induced moths to execute erratic flights with frequent crosswind counter-turns and intersections with plume boundaries. The total number of contacts with the source were reduced when a control dispenser was paired with a dispenser containing Z11-16:TFMK and pheromone. Z11-16:TFMK and OTFP showed little toxicity on mice with a LD50 of 1 g/kg after the 6th day of treatment. For comparitive purposes, the major component of the pheromone, Z11-16:Ac, displayed a LD50 of 5 g/kg 6 days after application. Our results provide additional information about the activity of the TFMKs, which might be useful for the utilization of these chemicals in future pest control studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Escola Tècnica Superior Enginyeria Agrària, UdL-IRTA, Rovira Roure, 177, 25198, Lleida, Spain

    Magí Riba & Albert Sans

  2. Department of Biological Organic Chemistry, IIQAB (CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

    Pep Bau & Angel Guerrero

  3. INRA Unitè de Phytopharmacie et Mèdiateurs Chimiques, Route de St Cyr, 78026, Versailles Cedex, France

    Gérard Grolleau & Michel Renou

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  1. Magí Riba
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Riba, M., Sans, A., Bau, P. et al. Pheromone Response Inhibitors of the Corn Stalk Borer Sesamia nonagrioides. Biological Evaluation and Toxicology. J Chem Ecol 27, 1879–1897 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010468911352

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