Carposinidae moths are a family of fruit worm moths found predominantly in Asia and the South Pacific regions. There are thought to be about 280 species in the family yet only three species have had pheromone components identified. All pheromone blends identified to date have at least one compound containing an alkene at C-7 and a ketone at C-11. Our aim was to use this structural commonality to create an analogue which could be used to disrupt the behaviour of multiple species of these pest moths. A variety of analogues were synthesised and initially tested via electroantennogram (EAG) on two carposinidae moth species; Heterocrossa rubophaga and Coscinotycha improbana. Compounds showing EAG activity were then tested on these two species using single sensillum recording (SSR) to ensure that the analogue was indeed stimulating the pheromone receptor neurons of the male moths. Two of the analogues elicited strong EAG responses and were taken forward for the SSR testing. Both analogues stimulated the same olfactory receptor neurons as the insect-produced sex pheromone. Field trapping trials were then conducted with these two analogues both individually and in combination with the pheromone of the two moth species. No attraction was shown to either of the analogues alone by either moth species. However, one of the analogues produced a strong inhibitory effect in Heterocrossa rubophaga reducing male moth trap catch to the sex pheromone by over 95%. No inhibitory effect on male moth trap catch was observed in Coscinotycha improbana. These results suggest the inhibitory analogue could be an effective mating disruption tool for Heterocrossa rubophaga and further testing at the orchard level is required.

Synthesis and biological testing of pheromone analogues for carposinidae moths

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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