An overlooked component: (Z)-9-tetradecenal as a sex pheromone in Helicoverpa armigera

► Z9-14:Al, 16:Al and Z7-16:Al attracted more males when added as a three-compound admixture to the standard blend. ► More males were captured when Z9-14:Al was added to the standard blend in field. ► (Z)-9-tetradecenal was a previously overlooked sex pheromone component of H. armigera. ► Heptanal and nonanal were found in female sex gland of H. armigera.