0000000000644976
AUTHOR
Jerome Duffy
Male sex pheromone of cockroach Eurycotis floridana (Walker) (Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae): role and composition of tergites 2 and 8 secretions
0098-0331; In Eurycotis 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…
4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, Two Components of the Male Sex Pheromone ofEurycotis floridana(Walker) (Insecta, Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae)
In Eurycotis floridana, male calling behavior is associated with the sex pheromone released by the anterior part of tergites. 2, 7, and 8. Glandular extracts of tergite 7 revealed a characteristic odor of caramel which is attractive at a distance for the females. We identified the two compounds responsible for this odor, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone. These compounds are known to be very important as flavor components of foods, but this is the first time that they have been. identified as natural insect products. Various amounts of the identified compounds were tested, and their biological function is discussed.