Disruption of responses to pheromone by ( Z )‐11‐hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, an analogue of the pheromone, in the cabbage armyworm Mamestra brassicae

The effects of ( Z )‐11‐hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11‐16:TFMK) a fluorinated pheromone analogue, on the responses to sex pheromone of the male cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae , have been investigated in an actograph and by electroantennography (EAG). In spite of its structural proximity with the natural pheromone, Z11‐16:TFMK was poorly active in EAG, and not active on male behaviour. When permeated in the air, Z11‐16:TFMK reversibly inhibited the electroantennographic responses to ( Z )‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate (Z11‐16:Ac), the main component of the sex pheromone. In the actograph, the latency of the activation was increased and the intensity of the behavioural activity of males in response to Z11‐16:Ac was significantly reduced in the presence of Z11‐16:TFMK. These results, along with others previously reported by us, provide new pointers to the possible use of Z11‐16:TFMK in pest‐control strategies. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry