The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Everett R Mitchell

Martin Jacobson

Robert E Doolittle

Marion S Mayer

Alfred H Baumhover

Disclosed is the compound 6-vinyldecanal and its use as a sex pheromone synergist. The invention also includes a composition of matter, comprising 6-vinyldecanal and an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The invention further includes a composition suitable for attracting insects, comprising 6-vinyldecanal and an insect sex pheromone, as well as traps containing such a composition.

Sex pheromone synergist

(Z)-9-Tetradecen-1-ol formate [(Z)-9-TDF], a chemical of nonbiological origin, was prepared and found to have excellent potential as an insect control agent for the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie) and tobacco budworm, H. virescens (F.). Mating of H. zea and H. Virescens moths exposed in the field to an atmosphere permeated with (Z)-9-TDF was greatly reduced. The chemical can be used alone to inhibit mating of H. zea or H. virescens or it can be dispensed together with other mating inhibitors to suppress mating in several pest species simultaneously.

Growing community of inventors

Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Everett R Mitchell