Thirteen species from six genera in the family Sesiidae were collected during 1983–1985 in traps baited with single isomers or blends of 2,13 and 3,13 octadecadienyl acetates and alcohols. (E,Z)-2,13 octadecadienyl acetate was shown to be highly attractive to Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), Paranthrene asilipennis (Boisduval), P. simulans (Grote), and Synanthedon acerrubri (Engelhardt). Captures of three species were improved by the addition of 2,13 isomers to 3,13 isomers, and the first seasonal plots based on captures in pheromone traps are shown for three species.

Various blends of ( Z , Z )-and ( E , Z )-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate [( E , Z )ODDA and ( Z , Z )ODDA], the major components of the sex pheromones of peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa (Jay), and lesser peachtree borer S. pictipes (Grote and Robinson), were field tested in 1979. Peachtree borer males were captured in the greatest numbers in traps baited with high ratios of Z,Z to E,Z. Lesser peachtree borer males were captured in the greatest numbers in traps baited with pure ( E , Z )ODDA; however, several were captured in traps baited with Z , Z / E , Z ratios as high as 50:50 Z , Z / E , Z , an indication that contamination of ( E , Z )ODDA with ( Z , Z )ODDA will not completely inhibit capture of males. In a test comparing the attractiveness of virgin females with that of synthetic sex attractant, no significant difference was noted between catches of males with 100 μg of ( E , Z )ODDA and with those having one female LPTB; both were relatively ineffective. Significantly more males were attracted to 5 and 10 virgin females than to 500 and 1,000 μg of sex attractant, respectively. Four species of Sesiidae not previously reported in Indiana were trapped during the season. The range of Alcathoe carolinensis Engelhardt was extended considerably by its capture in Indiana. Other new state records were Podosesia aureocincta (Purrington and Nielsen), Paranthrene pellucida (Greenfield and Karandinos), and Synanthedon rubrofascia (Hy. Edw.)

The seasonal occurrence of 20 species of male Sesiidae was determined in Alachua and Marion counties in north central Florida during 1975-77. Sticky traps were baited with the sex pheromones of the lesser peachtree borer, Synanthedon pictipes (Grote and Robinson), and the peachtree borer, Synanthedon (= Sanninoidea) exitiosa (Say), (E,Z)- and (Z,Z)-3, 13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate, respectively. These materials or the corresponding alcohols or binary mixtures of the acetates plus alcohols attracted 15 species of 25 currently recognized Sesiidae from Florida plus the following 5 species not reported before: Synanthedon decipiens (Hy. Edwards), Synanthedon fatifera Hodges, Carmenta bassiformis (Walker), Carmenta suffusata Englehardt, and Alcathoe carolinensis Engelhardt.

The E,Z, Z,Z, and Z,E geometric isomers of 3,13 octadecadien-1-ol acetate were used singly and in binary combinations to trap sesiids in Wisconsin cherry orchards. The Z,E isomer alone did not capture any sesiids. A synergistic effect, however, of Z,E onSynanthedon pictipes response to its pheromone E,Z was demonstrated for the first time. Strong inhibitory effects of the Z,Z isomer onS. pictipes response to E,Z, and of the E,Z isomer onS. scitula response to Z,Z, were found. As little as 0.5% of Z,Z in E,Z completely inhibited theS. pictipes response. This species' response was also reduced by 85% when Z,Z was evaporated at 4 points, each ca. 6 m from the pheromone trap. Consistencies and discrepancies of the data with relevant experimental results from other geographical areas are briefly discussed.

AbstractField tests of (E)-11-tetradecenal and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, the respective sex attractants for western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman and the Modoc budworm, C. viridis Freeman, revealed that these compounds attract several other forest Lepidoptera. The acetate attracted a total of 14 species representing seven families, and the aldehyde accounted for nine species representing four families. This interspecific attraction could influence budworm trapping efficiency and interpretation of results, because of the abundance of other responding species and the fact that two of the species resemble Choristoneura adults in appearance.