Females of the bumblebee parasite, Aphomia sociella, excite males using a courtship pheromone

J Chem Ecol. 2012 Apr;38(4):400-7. doi: 10.1007/s10886-012-0100-3. Epub 2012 Apr 4.

Abstract

Aphomia sociella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Galleriinae) is a parasitic moth of bumblebees. Behavioral experiments show that A. sociella females emit semiochemicals that influence male pre-mating behavior and serve as a courtship pheromone. GC/EAD and two-dimensional GC/MS (GCxGC-TOFMS) analyses of extracts of females revealed three antennally active compounds. Comparative GC and GCxGC-TOFMS analyses of extracts and synthetic standards confirmed the identity of the antennally active compounds as hexan-1-ol (1), 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one (2), and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-ol (3). In laboratory bioassays, alcohol 3 and, at higher doses, ketone 2 initiated male courtship behavior associated with ultrasonic production. Hexan-1-ol (1) and ketone 2 enhanced the activity of alcohol 3. These data suggest that hexan-1-ol, 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-ol, and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one constitute the female-produced courtship pheromone of A. sociella.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Communication
  • Animals
  • Bees / parasitology*
  • Courtship*
  • Female
  • Lepidoptera / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Sex Attractants / metabolism
  • Sex Attractants / pharmacology*
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / metabolism
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / pharmacology

Substances

  • Sex Attractants
  • Volatile Organic Compounds