Synergism of 1-Octen-3-Ol with Sex pheromone in Legume Pod Borer, Maruca Vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Sex pheromone components of Maruca vitrata include (E, E)-10, 12-hexadecadienal (major component), (E, E)-10, 12-hexadecadienol and (E)-10-hexadecenal (minor components). As increasing field attractancy of these have not been satisfactory world over, an effective blend for field trapping, five blends of sex pheromone components and isomers through electroantennography (EAG) was attempted. Blend that had (Z, E)-10, 12-hexadecadienal (100 parts); (E, E)-10, 12-hexadecadienol (5 parts); (Z)-10hexadecenol (5 parts) and 1-Octen-3-ol (10%) elicited maximum EAG response (P < 0.05). Dose response evaluated at 10 μg, 100 μg, 500 μg and 1000 μg doses through EAG, flight behaviour (wind tunnel) and field experiments revealed that 1000 μg elicited higher electrophysiological and taxis response and male moth catches compared to remaining blends. These findings hint at a possible synergistic action of 1-Octen-3-ol with pheromone components or their isomers.