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Abstract:
Inmoth species, females emit a species-specific sex pheromone that is perceived over long distance by conspecific males. The species-specificity in the chemical communication channel is achieved by a
combination of unique components in specific ratios and sometimes also by interspecific behavioural
antagonists to deter sympatrically occurring heterospecificmales. In this study, we determined possible
antagonistic effects in Helicoverpa gelotopoeon Dyar (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) males to the major
sex pheromone component of sympatrically occurring heliothine moths, Z11-16:Ald, as well as to
the sex pheromone of the sympatrically occurring Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
(Z11-16:Ald and Z9-14:Ald). We also explored whether other co-occurring species are
attracted to these pheromone blends. Our field experiments showed that the addition of Z11-16:Ald
alone or in combination with Z9-14:Ald inhibited trap catches of H. gelotopoeon males and that this
inhibition depended on the concentration of these compounds. In addition, other moth species were
attracted to the blends. Together, our results confirm the antagonistic effect of heterospecific sex pheromone compounds of H. virescens toH. gelotopoeon.
