Sex pheromone of the American warble fly, Dermatobia hominis: the role of cuticular hydrocarbons.
Chemical communication between adults of the American warble fly, Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Oestridae), was investigated by electroantennography and behavioral bioassays. Significant electroantennographic responses were recorded from both sexes to hexane-soluble cuticular lipids from either sex. Olfactometer tests indicated an attraction between males and females, and between females. Copulatory behavior of males with a white knotted string treated with female extract confirmed production of a sexual stimulant by females. Such behavior was not observed in tests with male extract, demonstrating that the pheromone acts also as a sex recognition factor. Cuticular hydrocarbons of sexually mature female and male D. hominis were identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and consist of a mixture of saturated n-, monomethyl-, and dimethylalkanes in both sexes. Sexual dimorphism was characterized by a higher relative concentration of dimethylalkanes in males and the presence of alkenes only in females.
Gulias Gomes
Claudia Cristina
CC
Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, UFRRJ, Seropédica, BR 465, Km 07, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil. guliasgomes@yahoo.com.br
Trigo
José Roberto
JR
Eiras
Alvaro Eduardo
AE
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004175:Diptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012724:Sex Attractants; D014835:Volatilization
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D012724:Sex Attractants