Chemical analysis of a putative sex pheromone from Lutzomyia pessoai (Diptera: Psychodidae).
Lutzomyia pessoai has been named as a probable vector of Leishmania braziliensis in southern Brazil. Males of this species have recently been shown to have pheromone-disseminating structures on their abdomen. Chemical analysis of extracts from the glands associated with these structures has revealed the presence of a possible sex pheromone. Although this compound has been partially characterized as a monocyclic diterpene with the same molecular weight as the Lu. longipalpis diterpene sex pheromone, mass spectral evidence indicates that it is different compound. This, the first evidence for a possible sex pheromone in any phlebotomine species other than Lu. longipalpis, indicates that such semiochemicals may be widely distributed in this group.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Keele, U.K.
J G
JG
Hamilton
R D
RD
Ward
D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000032:analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000737:chemistry*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000032:analysis*
D004224:Diterpenes; D012724:Sex Attractants