LAUSR

Aim: Identification and characterization of female released sex pheromone components of jute semilooper, Anomis sabulifera Guenee (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from female pheromone gland extracts. Methodology: Electroantennogram (EAG) was carried for studying the antennal response; Gas Chromatography coupled with Electro antenna Detector (GC-EAD) was conducted for studying the antennal response of eluted compounds from female pheromone gland extract; Gas Chromatography and Mas Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) was conducted for characterization or getting complete profile of compounds present in the female pheromone gland extract based on retention times. Wind tunnel assay was conducted for studying the behavioural responses of eluted compounds from the female pheromone gland extract. Results: GC-MS profile of female pheromone gland extract revealed that the GC-EAD active region constituted (6Z,9Z)-heneicosadiene, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-heneicosatriene as active compounds. Preliminary wind tunnel studies for olfactory and behavioural responses showed blend of (6Z,9Z)-heneicosadiene (3 parts) + (3Z,6Z,9Z)-heneicosatriene (1 part) enticed 60% male adults. Interpretation: (6Z,9Z)-heneicosadiene and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-heneicosatriene are likely to be active pheromone components present in female sex pheromone glands. Blending of these two compounds in precise ratio can enhance the effectiveness of pheromone and can be used as effective strategy in jute IPM. Key words: Anomis sabulifera, Jute semilooper, Noctuidae, Sex pheromone, (6Z,9Z)-heneicosadiene, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-heneicosatriene