Male sex pheromone of cockroachEurycotis floridana (walker) (Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae): Role and composition of tergites 2 and 8 secretions.
InEurycotis floridana, the male calling behavior is associated with the exposition of epidermal glands located under tergites 2, 7, and 8. 4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone were recently identified as the specific components of tergite 7 secretion. Methylene chloride extracts of tergite 7 and its major compound 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone attract the conspecific females at a distance. Methylene chloride extracts of tergite 8 are also attractive at a distance to the females, whereas extracts of tergite 2 had no effect on males and females. Our GC investigations showed the absence of specific compounds in tergite 2 secretions. The GC-MS analyses revealed that the male secretion of the gland under tergite 8 is mainly a mixture of (2R*, 3R*)-butanediol, 1-dodecanol and benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate. These compounds were tested at different concentrations on their own, or as a mixture. Only (2R*, 3R*)-butanediol and 1-dodecanol were attractive for the females. Their functions, as components of the male sex pheromone, in addition with the two derivatives of the furanone are discussed.
Laboratoire de Zoologie, C.N.R.S., Université de Bourgogne, U.A. 674 6 Bd. Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France.
J P
JP
Farine
J L
JL
Le Quere
J
J
Duffy
C
C
Everaerts
R
R
Brossut