Identification on Key Volatiles Contributed to Oviposition Preference of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, 1813) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from High and Normal Oleic Varieties of Peanut

The Indian meal moth, <i>Plodia interpunctella</i> (Hübner, 1813) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a primary stored peanut insect pest, exhibited a significant difference in oviposition preference among normal-oleic peanuts (NOPs) and high-oleic peanuts (HOPs). Identifying key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are attractive or repellent to <i>P. interpunctella</i> is of great significance for the ecological management of pests. The profiles and contents of VOCs among NOP and HOP varieties were measured and compared, and key bioactive VOCs were further confirmed via an electroantennogram (EAG) analysis, as well as behavioral responses in Y-tube olfactometer and wind tunnel bioassays. Females prefer to lay eggs on NOP varieties more than on HOP ones. Acetophenone, nonanal, decanal, dodecane, 2,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde, and 4-ethyl-benzaldehy derived from tested peanuts elicited stronger antennal EAG responses. The results of the Y-tube olfactometer and wind tunnel bioassay showed that the relative high levels of nonanal, dodecane, and unique VOC acetophenone in NOP varieties have a significant attraction to <i>P. interpunctella</i>. Conversely, 4-ethyl-benzaldehyde and the unique VOC 2,5-dimethyl-benzaldehyde commonly found in HOP varieties exhibit notable repellent effects on <i>P. interpunctella</i>. These VOCs could contribute to the development of attractants or repellents derived from special peanut varieties for pest management.