Behavior of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) induced by sex pheromone and analogs in a wind tunnel

The behavioral response of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) to the natural pheromone (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate (1) and structurally related analogs in a wind tunnel is presented. Stereomerically pureZ-1 and a mixture with theE isomer in 80:20 ratio elicited similar attraction responses at 1 µg and higher. The activity was dose-dependent, being optimum at 1 µg with 90% and 80% of males contacting with the source in the presence of theZ-1 andZ/E-1, respectively. 11-Hexadecynyl acetate (2) functioned as a pheromone mimic, being able to induce the complete mate-finding behavioral sequence, although its activity was much lower than that of the pheromone. (Z)-13-Hexadecen-11-ynyl alcohol (3) and, particularly, (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynal (4) were potent inhibitors of the upwind flight response in mixtures withZ-1 in 99:1, 95:5, and 91:9 ratios. (Z)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-16-nonadecen-14-yn-2-one (5) also inhibited the response of males to pheromone, particularly in the source contact behavior. Comparison with activity displayed by analogs in field tests is also reported.

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-yn-1-yl acetate, the major component of the sex pheromone of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

A short and stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-13-hexadecen-1 1-yn-1-yl acetate is described. The main feature is a low-temperature Wittig reaction of a triphenylpropylphosphonium bromide with a long-chain alkylated propargyl aldehyde.

Synthesis of (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-yn-1-yl acetate Major component of sex pheromone of the processionary moth

The synthesis of the major component of the sex pheromone of the processionary mothThaumetopoea pityocampa is described. The synthesis uses the carbocupration of acetylene, followed by the coupling with the appropriate 1-iodoalkyne. This synthetic pheromone was shown to be of 98.8%Z purity.