The female sex pheromone of the mulberry pyralid moth, <i>Glyphodes pyloalis</i> <scp>Walker</scp> and evaluation of its efficacy in laboratory and field conditions

Abstract The mulberry pyralid moth, Glyphodes pyloalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (Walker 1859), is considered a key pest of mulberry trees, which are exclusively used for silkworm rearing. Considering that silkworm cultivation is dependent on mulberry leaves, it is inevitable to choose a suitable control method against mulberry pyralid moths. In recent years, research about pheromones in insects and how they affect the intraspecies and interspecies relationships has received much attention. These studies have included the identification of pheromone compounds and their biosynthesis, recognition of pheromone receptors in insects, as well as behaviors caused by receiving pheromones in insects in order to be used in pest control programmes. Considering that sex pheromones are non‐toxic and specific compounds, the present study was conducted to identify pheromone compounds in G. pyloalis . Three compounds included hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (H), (Z)‐9‐octadecenoic acid methyl ester (S) and octadecanoic acid methyl ester (O) were identified and introduced as pheromone compounds in G. pyloalis . Examining the results of the wind tunnel showed that these compounds in the ratio of 8H:4S:1O show the best attraction in the male population. However, this ratio of compounds when used in pheromone traps in mulberry orchards was found to be less effective than control traps (non‐mated females). It seems that this decrease in performance happened due to the rapid decomposition of the compounds in the environment. According to the results of the present study, it can be said that identifying the sex pheromone of G. pyloalis can lead to the development of efficient strategies for monitoring and controlling the population of this pest.