Biosynthetic pathways of the sex pheromone components and substrate selectivity of the oxidation enzymes working in pheromone glands of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea

► Biosynthetic pathways were examined by experiments using 13C- or D-labeled precursors. ► Linolenic alcohol was the direct precursors of an aldehyde pheromone component. ► 3,6,9-Henicosatriene was the direct precursor of an expoxydiene pheromone component. ► Oxidation of structure-related compounds revealed low substrate selectivity of the enzymes.