Other

Cornell University

Wendell L Roelofs

Francis X Webster

Aijun Zhang

Ring T Carde

Ralph E Charlton

Coby Schal

Thomas C Baker

Douglas C Knipple

Ada S Hill

Jan P Kochansky

Stuart J Miller

The present invention is directed to isolated membrane-associated acyl-CoA desaturases expressed in the pheromone gland of an insect and, in particular, the .DELTA.11 desaturase of Trichoplusia ni. The present invention further relates to an isolated DNA molecule encoding the T. ni .DELTA.11 desaturase, expression vectors comprising the DNA molecule, and host cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for isolating DNA sequences of homologous acyl-CoA desaturases expressed in the pheromone glands of insects are provided. The use of these acyl-CoA desaturases, DNA molecules, expression vectors, and host cells to produce an unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA product from a saturated or unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA reactant is also disclosed. The unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA products are useful as pheromones or as pheromone precursors as well as in the preparation of organic molecules, such as drugs.

Pheromone desaturases

Compounds useful as cockroach attractants, the synthesis of the compounds, and methods of controlling cockroach populations with the compounds are disclosed. The compounds are pyrans having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, or methoxy group and R.sup.2 is a branched alkyl side chain having from 7 to 11 carbons. Preferably, R.sup.2 is a 2,4-dimethyl-substituted alkyl group. Most preferably R.sup.1 is methyl and R.sup.2 is 2,4-dimethylheptanyl. The pyrans can be used as an attractant in cockroach traps comprising, in addition to a pyran according to Formula (I) above, a support and a cockroach restraint. Alternatively, the pyran of the present invention can be combined with a biocontrol agent or an insecticide to form a cockroach control composition.

Cockroach attractant

Compounds useful as cockroach attractants, the synthesis of the compounds, and methods of controlling cockroach populations with the compounds are disclosed. The compounds are pyrans having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, or methoxy group and

A compound was isolated from female Phthorimea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) extracts and identified as trans-4, cis-7-tridecadienyl acetate. The compound was then synthesized. This compound elicits good male P. operculella responses in laboratory and field assays. The corresponding alcohol also appeared to be present in the female glands, but was not found to increase male responses in the laboratory or the field.

Sex pheromone for potato tubeworm moth, Phthorimea operculella

Cis- 9-tetradecenal and cis-11-hexadecenal have been synthesized and found to be, in combination, sex attractants for males of the species Heliothis virescens (Tobacco Budworm Moth) and major economic pest. Methods of preparing said compounds and methods of utilizing said compounds as attracting agent are disclosed.

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Geneva, NY, United States of America

Wendell L Roelofs