SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MALE SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS OF Stenoma decora (LEPIDOPTERA: ELACHISTIDAE)

Abstract

Stenoma decora Zeller, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) is a key pest of cocoa cultivation in the Southern region of Bahia State, Brazil. The data available in the literature about the species biology are still incomplete. Therefore, this project aimed to observe the sexual behavior of S.decora males and analyze the released chemical compounds. The insects were collected in the municipality of Mutuípe, Bahia, from May to Augusto 2019, taken to the Laboratory of Biological Control and Semiochemicals at the UESC, reared in plastics cages and fed with cocoa during the larval phase. When they reached the pupa phase, they were individualized and, after emergence, the adults were fed with 10% sucrose solution. Then, the calling behavior of virgin male moths was observed. Also, the excision of the terminal part of the abdomen, where the hairpencils are located, was performed and the extracts were prepared by using 20 uL of hexane by copulatory organ. It was observed that males began calling at the fourth hour of scotophase, and the behavior was characterized by: circular antenna movements, flight and walking in the cage, opening of the appressoria and edeago in the copulatory organ, as well hairpencil excitation with movement of the abdomen. The extracts were analyzed by GC-MS and showed the presence of four major compounds, which were identified as acetates, esters and hydrocarbons with carbon chains of 18 to 22 carbons. These results are promising for understanding the reproductive behavior of the species and the chemical compounds used in its communication.