Candidate sex pheromones of the New World screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax.
Five novel homologous acetate derivatives of long-chain secondary alcohols and a related ketone were tested for their efficacy as contact mating stimulants for Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Full copulatory behaviour at a high percentage was found in tests with racemic 6-acetoxy-19-methylnonacosane at 2.5-20 microg using fertile males from three strains. Males of two strains responded nearly as well to 7-acetoxy-15-methylnonacosane, but an older strain first colonized in 1992 did not respond to this compound. Few or no copulatory responses were obtained to the other secondary alcohol acetates and a related ketone. These two acetate derivatives are the first sex pheromones identified in a calliphorid fly. The threshold of response was also tested, but could not be pinpointed.
Carlson
D A
DA
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Center for Agricultural, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA. dacarls@gmail.com
Berkebile
D R
DR
Skoda
S R
SR
Mori
K
K
Mihok
S
S
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007659:Ketones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D000085:Acetates; D007659:Ketones; D012724:Sex Attractants