Sex pheromone specificity in the pine sawflies: interchange of acid moieties in an ester.

3,7-Dimethylpentadecan-2-ol was identified as the free alcohol in three species from two genera of pine sawflies (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae). In Neodiprion lecontei and Neodiprion sertifer the acetate of this alcohol is the major component of their sex attractant; in Diprion similis it is the propionate. By examining the responses of the male antennae of several species of Neodiprion through the electroantennographic technique, it was determined that four species responded to the acetate and six to the propionate.