A sex pheromone attractant for the alpine hairy moth and its application

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sex pheromone attractant for the alpine hairy-top moth and its use. The attractant's active ingredients include (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol, (R)-2-nonanol, and (S)-2-nonanol. The sex pheromone attractant can be used for monitoring and trapping the alpine hairy-top moth, avoiding the use of chemical pesticides. It is environmentally friendly and safe, can effectively control the alpine hairy-top moth, and has significant ecological and economic benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of pest control, and in particular to a sex pheromone attractant for the alpine hairy moth and its application. Background Art

[0002] The Eriocraniidae family, belonging to the order Lepidoptera, is a relatively primitive group of small moths. Worldwide, it comprises five genera and approximately 30 species, primarily distributed throughout the Holarctic region, between 45° and 70° north latitude. The highest species abundance is found in North America and Europe. Two species were first recorded in my country by Yang Jikun (In Atlas of Moths Under the Light of North China): Eriocrania sparrmannella (Bosc) and Eriocrania semipurpurrella (Stephens). In 1990, Xu Zhenguo et al. reported a new subspecies, Eriocrania semipurpurrella alpina Xu, from Qinghai. The alpine moth has a limited distribution, with infestations occurring only in the Huzhu Beishan Forest Farm in Qinghai Province, the Xianmi Forest Farm in Menyuan County, and the Gucheng Forest Farm in Tianzhu County, Gansu Province. No reports have been found elsewhere. The insect was first discovered in the Bazhaying forest area of Beishan Forest Farm in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, in 2004, affecting white birch trees. The area of infestation gradually expanded in 2005. From 2006 to 2009, the insect reached a devastating level in Beishan Forest Farm, infecting nearly 100% of white birch leaves, 78% of red birch leaves, and 35% of rough birch leaves. Long-term infestation by the alpine hairy-top moth can reduce tree growth and forest stock, resulting in significant economic losses. Furthermore, the phenomenon of autumn-like weather in summer after infestation poses significant potential ecological and social impacts.

[0003] In areas where the alpine hairy-top moth occurs, measures such as spraying Sophora flavescens nicotine emulsifiable concentrate to control adults, aerial spraying of thiacloprid to control larvae, and yellow sticky traps to control adults are implemented. However, the use of chemical agents not only pollutes the environment but also increases the insecticide resistance of the alpine hairy-top moth. Yellow sticky traps are also ineffective against adults. Natural enemies of the alpine hairy-top moth include parasitic wasps and sickle-tailed ichneumonids. While using natural enemies to control the moth has achieved some success, the high costs and requirements for breeding and releasing these natural enemies make their widespread use unsuitable.

[0004] Insect sex pheromones are trace chemicals secreted externally by specialized secretory organs of individuals of one sex of the same insect species. They are detected by receptors in individuals of the opposite sex of the same species, triggering behavioral responses or physiological effects (such as mate seeking, directional courtship, and mating) in the opposite sex. As courtship communication signals for insects, sex pheromones are characterized by their specificity. This means that the structure of their sex pheromones varies between geographical populations of the same insect species, and even between closely related species. The high specificity of insect sex pheromone communication systems dictates that different species possess varying sex pheromone components and ratios. These components and ratios form the basis for insect population reproduction and reproductive isolation from closely related species in the same area. For example, the sea moth is distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Researchers have found that the sex pheromones of the sea moth from different origins have different variations. Yushima et al. found that the sex pheromones of the sea moth in Kenya, Africa contain Z9, E11-14Ac and Z9, E12-14Ac; Dunkelblum et al. found that its sex pheromones in Israel contain Z9, E11-14Ac, Z9-14Ac, E11-14Ac, and Z11-14Ac. At present, there are four species of Trichoderma insects whose pheromones have been identified: the sex pheromones of E. cicatricella Zetterstedt are (2R,4Z)-heptene-2-ol ((2R,4Z)-hepten-2-ol) and (2R)-2-heptanol ((2R)-heptan-2-ol), the sex pheromones of E. sparrmannella (Bosc) are (2S,4Z)-heptene-2-ol ((2S,4Z)-hepten-2-ol) and (2S)-2-heptanol ((2R)-heptan-2-ol) (Zhu, et al. The sex pheromone of E. sangii Wood is (2S,6Z)-nonen-2-ol, and the sex pheromone of E. semipurpurrella (Stephens) is (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol and (2S,6Z)-nonen-2-ol (Kozlov et al., 1996). Comparative analysis of the sex pheromone compositions between E. cicatricella Zetterstedt and E. sparrmannella (Bosc), and between E. sangii Wood and E. semipurpurrella (Stephens), reveals that even closely related species coexisting in the same area exhibit significant pheromone differences.

[0005] Insect pheromone-related technologies and products offer advantages such as high sensitivity, strong selectivity, harmlessness to natural enemies, and environmental protection. Since the 1960s, they have been developed as a new pest control technology both domestically and internationally. In particular, the structures of numerous insect pheromones, primarily from Lepidoptera, have been identified, synthesized in the laboratory, and applied in the field. Currently, hundreds of pheromone-related products have been used both domestically and internationally, achieving significant economic and ecological benefits. In 2009, the National Forest Fire Prevention Center conducted research on the use of insect pheromones to control the alpine hairy moth, but the attractant they prepared was ineffective, failing to attract adult moths. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately identify the components of the alpine hairy moth's pheromone and, based on this, to develop a pheromone attractant that is highly effective in trapping the moth, thereby enabling monitoring and harmless control of the insect. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention provides a sex pheromone attractant for the alpine hairy moth. The effective ingredients of the attractant include (2R, 6Z)-nonen-2-ol, (R)-2-nonanol and (S)-2-nonanol.

[0007] Preferably, the mass ratio of (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol, (R)-2-nonanol, and (S)-2-nonanol is 1:0.5-1:0.25-1.

[0008] More preferably, the mass ratio of (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol, (R)-2-nonanol, and (S)-2-nonanol is 1:0.5:0.25.

[0009] The present invention also provides a use of a sex pheromone attractant for the control of the alpine hairtop moth. Specifically, the use comprises adding the aforementioned sex pheromone attractant to a carrier to prepare an alpine hairtop moth attractant core, and placing the core into a trap for use.

[0010] Specifically, the carrier is one or more of a polyethylene tube, a polyvinyl chloride tube, a polyethylene bottle, a polyethylene sustained-release bag, a polyvinyl chloride sustained-release bag, and a rubber stopper. Preferably, the carrier is a polyethylene tube.

[0011] During use, a lure core containing the sex pheromone of the alpine hair-top moth is prepared and hung in a trap infested areas of the alpine hair-top moth for monitoring the infestation and trapping large numbers of the moth. Preferably, the trap is a bucket-shaped trap, hung 1.5 meters above the ground, and / or spaced 50 meters apart.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention include:

[0013] The sex pheromone attractant for the alpine hairy-top moth provided by the present invention can attract a large number of adult alpine hairy-top moths, providing a pollution-free sex pheromone control technology for the prevention and control of the alpine hairy-top moth. It can be used for monitoring the insect infestation and harmless prevention and control of the alpine hairy-top moth, has the advantages of being environmentally friendly and pollution-free, and has significant ecological and economic benefits. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is the antennal-potential response of the male moth of the alpine hairy-top moth to the gonad extract of the female moth;

[0015] Figure 2 Forest trapping of sex pheromones for the alpine hairy moth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention will be further illustrated and described below in conjunction with the embodiments, but the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the present invention and embodiments, all other inventions and embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods used in the following examples are conventional methods.

[0018] The (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol ((2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol, CAS No.: 175276-14-9) used in the following examples was purchased from Zhengzhou Alpha Chemical Co., Ltd.; (R)-2-nonanol ((R)-(-)-2-nonanol, CAS No.: 70419-07-7) and (S)-2-nonanol ((S)-(+)-2-nonanol, CAS No.: 70419-06-6) were purchased from J&K Technology Co., Ltd.; other materials were commercially available unless otherwise specified.

[0019] Example 1 Identification of the sex pheromone components of the alpine moth

[0020] (1) Extraction of gonadal extract

[0021] Solvent extraction sampling: Pull out the gonads of courting female adults of the alpine hairy moth using pointed forceps. Place three adult glands in a 1ml glass vial. Add 50µl of n-hexane and extract for 40 minutes. Concentrate the n-hexane extract to 1µl, seal it in a capillary glass tube, and store at -20°C until use. Repeat this process 10 times.

[0022] (2) GC-EAD analysis of glandular substances of male adults of the alpine moth

[0023] Extracts from the gonads of the tricholoma (E. alpinum) were analyzed by gas chromatography-antennary analysis, and the corresponding GC-EAD spectra were obtained. The analysis was performed using an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph coupled to a Syntech GC-EAD instrument (the Netherlands). The chromatographic column was a DB-5MS (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm). The carrier gas was high-purity helium at a flow rate of 1 ml / min, with splitless injection. The split valve was opened after 1 minute. The injection volume was 1 μl. The inlet temperature was 250°C. The temperature program was as follows: initial temperature at 40°C, hold for 1 minute, increase at 8°C / min to 230°C, hold for 5 minutes, increase at 20°C / min to 280°C, hold for 10 minutes. The ATPA operating conditions included: EAG probe: PRG-2, forked antenna holder; IDAC converter: Auto Spike, IDAC2 / 3, Syntech; amplifier: UN-06, Syntech. Antennae of male moths of the mountain hairy-top moth 2-3 days after emergence were cut from the base with dissecting scissors, and the top of the antennae was cut off about 0.5 mm. The antennae were connected to the two silver electrodes of the forked antenna holder of the EAG probe (PRG-2) with conductive glue.

[0024] Through the chromatographic analysis, it was found that the extract of the gonad of the alpine hairy moth has components that cause significant electrophysiological reactions in the antennae of the male alpine hairy moth, which are expressed at retention times of 12.316 min and 15.869 min ( Figure 1 ).

[0025] (3) GC-MS identification of compound components

[0026] Glandular extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS / MS) (Agilent 7890B-5977). A DB-5MS column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm) was used. High-purity helium was used as the carrier gas at a flow rate of 1 ml / min, with splitless injection and the split valve opened after 1 minute. The injection volume was 1 μl. The inlet temperature was 250°C. The temperature program was as follows: initial temperature at 40°C, hold for 1 minute, increase at 8°C / min to 230°C, hold for 5 minutes, increase at 20°C / min to 280°C, hold for 10 minutes. MS analysis conditions included an EI ion source, an electron energy of 70 eV, a transfer line temperature of 250°C, an ion source temperature of 220°C, and a scan range of 41–650 amu. Comparison with standard spectra in the Nist02 library revealed that the component at retention time 12.316 min identified 2-nonanol, and the component at retention time 15.869 min identified (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol. 2-Nonanol possesses a chiral center, including two isomers: (R)-2-nonanol ((R)-(-)-2-Nonanol) and (S)-2-nonanol ((S)-(+)-2-Nonanol). This suggests that both isomers of 2-nonanol may be present in the glands of the moth, requiring further activity testing for verification.

[0027] Example 2 Field trapping test of different components of alpine hair moth sex pheromone

[0028] Prepare a sex pheromone attractant for the alpine moth, which contains multiple active ingredients including (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol, (R)-2-nonanol, and (S)-2-nonanol. Add the active ingredients according to the mass ratio shown in Table 1 into a polyethylene tube to prepare an attractant core, and place it in a barrel trap (such as Figure 2 Each lure contains 1000 μg of active ingredient. In May 2022, a trapping experiment was conducted in an area infested by the alpine hairy moth at Beishan Forest Farm. Traps containing a lure containing the alpine hairy moth's sex pheromone were hung on birch branches at the farm, 1.5 meters above the ground and 50 meters apart. Three traps were set up in each group as replicates, and a blank control group was also established. Adult insects were observed weekly, and the number of adults in the traps was counted and removed.

[0029] Table 1 Trapping experimental data of different attractant treatment groups

[0030]

[0031] The data in Table 1 show that: (1) the trapping effect of the single-component pheromone attractant (treatments 1-3) is poor; (2) the trapping effect of the binary-component pheromone attractant (treatments 4-6) is better than that of the single-component pheromone, but the trapping effect is also average; (3) the trapping effect of the ternary pheromone attractant (treatments 7-10) is very good, significantly better than the single-component and binary-component formulas; in particular, the best trapping effect is achieved when the mass ratio of the three active ingredients is 1:0.5:0.25, which has important application value in the monitoring and prevention of the alpine hairy-top moth.

[0032] Example 3 Screening of the Optimal Release Carrier for Attractants

[0033] The sex pheromone attractant of the alpine hairy moth prepared by treatment group 10 in Example 2 was used, and different slow-release carriers were used respectively, including three release carriers of rubber stoppers (A1, A2, A3), polyethylene tubes (B1, B2, B3) and polyvinyl chloride tubes (C1, C2, C3). The lures were made into lures according to the same method as in Example 2 and placed in a trapping device with the same structure as in Example 2 for testing. The average spacing between the traps was 50m, and the height of the lure was set to 1.5m from the ground. Each slow-release carrier was repeated 3 times. From April 26 to May 29, 2023, the alpine hairy moth-infested area of Beishan Forest Farm was selected for trapping experiments. After the trap was placed, the number of adults of the alpine hairy moth trapped was regularly surveyed, and the position of the trap was randomly swapped. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0034] Table 2 Effects of different release vectors on trapping of the alpine moth

[0035]

[0036] As can be seen from Table 2, the sex pheromone attractant of the alpine hairy moth is best when it is in polyethylene tube as the slow-release carrier.

Claims

1. A sex pheromone attractant for the alpine hairy moth, characterized in that: The effective ingredients of the attractant include (2R, 6Z)-nonen-2-ol, (R)-2-nonanol and (S)-2-nonanol; the mass ratio of the effective ingredients (2R, 6Z)-nonen-2-ol: (R)-2-nonanol: (S)-2-nonanol is 1:0.5~1:0.25~1.

2. The sex pheromone attractant of the alpine hair moth according to claim 1, characterized in that The mass ratio of (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol:(R)-2-nonanol:(S)-2-nonanol is 1:0.5:0.

25.

3. Use of the sex pheromone attractant of claim 1 or 2 in the control of the alpine hairy-top moth.

4. The use according to claim 3, characterized in that The application is to add the sex pheromone attractant of the alpine hairy moth according to claim 1 or 2 into a carrier to prepare the attractant core of the sex pheromone attractant of the alpine hairy moth, and put the attractant core into a trap for use.

5. The use according to claim 4, characterized in that The carrier is one or more of a polyethylene tube, a polyvinyl chloride tube, a polyethylene bottle, a polyethylene sustained-release bag, a polyvinyl chloride sustained-release bag, and a rubber stopper.

6. The use according to claim 5, characterized in that The carrier is a polyethylene tube.

7. The use according to claim 4, characterized in that The trap is hung in the area where the alpine hairy-top moth is infested.

8. The use according to claim 7, characterized in that The traps are hung at a height of 1.5 m from the ground, and / or the traps are spaced 50 m apart.

9. The use according to claim 4, characterized in that The trap is a barrel-type trap.

Images