Sex attractants for the white-barred groundling moth (Recurvaria leucatella clerck) and the lesser bud moth (R. nanella Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

In field tests synthetic (3E,5Z)-3,5-tetradecadienyl acetate was found to attract large numbers of males ofRecurvaria leucatella Clerck into sticky traps. The other geometrical isomers did not influence catches. Of the corresponding monoenic compounds, (3E)-3-tetradecenyl acetate was highly attractive to a close relative,Recurvaria nanella Hübner. The catches of the latter species were suppressed by higher amounts of (5Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate added to the bait, and the addition of (3E)-3-tetradecenol or (3Z)-3-tetradecenyl acetate was without effect. The attractive compounds can be used in traps for monitoring the two pests.