Abstract: Laboratory bioassay and field trapping tests were carried out on four syntheticoptical isomers of 4,6,10,12-tetramethyl-2E,4E-tridecadien-7-one 1, the sex pheromone of the pine scale Matsucoccus matsumurae. The results showed that only 6R,10R-4,6,10,12-tetramethyl-2E,4E-tridecadien-7-one elicited strong attraction to the male adults and was assigned as the absolute configuration of the naturally occurring sex pheromone of this pine scale.

Key words: Matsucoccus matsurnurae——sex pheromone