(S)-(+)-linalool, a mate attractant pheromone component in the bee Colletes cunicularius.
Enantiomerically pure (S)-(+)-linalool was the main constituent in the extracts of the cephalic secretions of virgin females, mated females, freshly emerged males, and patrolling males of the solitary bee Colletes cunicularius. After copulation, the content of (S)-(+)-linalool emitted by the female was strongly reduced. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that both enantiomers of linalool elicited responses from the antennae of the males. Field tests using the pure enantiomers and the racemate of linalool showed that the number of male bees attracted was highest for (S)-(+)-linalool. The search flight activity in the mating flight area increased dramatically when patrolling males were presented with (S)-(+)-linalool vs (R)-(-)-linalool. Taken together, these data indicate a mate attractant pheromone function of (S)-(+)-linalool.
Borg-Karlson
Anna-Karin
AK
Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, The Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Tengö
Jan
J
Valterová
Irena
I
Unelius
C Rikard
CR
Taghizadeh
Timo
T
Tolasch
Till
T
Francke
Wittko
W
D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D005426:Flight, Animal; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D007306:Insecticides; D039821:Monoterpenes; D012724:Sex Attractants; C018584:linalool