Surnrnary The major component of the sex pheromone of the olive fly has been shown to be 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5] undecane (1) and its structure has been confirmed by unambiguous synthesis; field studies have confirmed its biological activity.
Temporal and sequential aspects of the courtship of the green stink bug, Nezara viridula are reported. The sequence of courtship behaviour can be divided into two phases: long‐range mate location and short‐range courtship. Long‐range behaviour includes those components of the behaviour that lead to the arrival of females in the vicinity of males. Short‐range behaviour includes those components that coordinate the interaction of both sexes once they are in close proximity. The individual components of both the long and short range behaviour were found to occur in stereotyped sequences, each step having a high probability of transition to the next. When the odour stimuli of live males were replaced by chemical extracts from males, obtained by aeration collection, only the long range sequences of female behaviour were elicited. The lack of close‐range behavioural sequences may indicate that visual and acoustic stimuli have some role in the later stages of sexual communication. The pheromonal extract from males, which was elucidated by GC—MS analysis, contained n‐dodecane, n‐tridecane, sesquiterpene (hydrocarbon), sesquiterpene (mono‐oxygenated) and n‐nonadecane.
Résumé
Localisation à grande distance du conjoint et pariade à courte distance chez Nezara viridula, intervention des phéromones sexuelles
Ce travail concerne les aspects séquentiels et temporels du comportement précopulatoire de N. viridula. Ce dernier peut être divisé en deux périodes: le repérage à grande distance du conjoint et le comportement de pariade à faible distance. Le comportement à grande distance comprend les éléments du comportement qui conduisent les femelles à proximité des mâles. Le comportement à faible distance comprend les éléments qui coordonnent les interactions des deux sexes jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient à proximité immédiate. Les éléments particuliers à chacun des comportements à faible et grande distances se produisent dans des séquences stéréotypées, chaque étape ayant une forte probabilité de passage vers la suivante.
Quand les stimuli odorants de mâles vivants ont été remplacés par des extraits chimiques de ces derniers, récoltés par barbotage d'air sur colonne absorbante, seules les séquences du comportement à grande distance des femelles ont été induites. L'absence des séquences à faible distance peut indiquer une influence des stimuli visuels et acoustiques dans les stades ultérieurs de la communication sexuelle. L'extrait phéromonal des mâles, qui a été mis en évidence par GC—MS, contenait du n‐dodécane, du n‐tridécane, des sesquiterpènes (hydrocarbures), des sesquiterpènes (mono‐oxygénés) et du n‐nonadécane.
Abstract. There is an obligatory relationship between leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera; Attini) and the fungus, Attamyces bromatificus Kreisel, for which they provide a substrate of cut plant material. We show that the ants learn to reject plant material that contains chemicals injurious to the fungus. After an initial period of acceptance, ants from laboratory nests stopped harvesting granular bait containing a fungicidal agent (cycloheximide) and orange peel. This rejection was maintained for many weeks. These colonies also rejected control bait containing no cycloheximide. Some generalisation of the response was observed; colonies rejecting orange granules also rejected grapefruit granules, although they still accepted blackcurrant granules. Rejection of fungicidal bait by colonies in the field was restricted to ants on foraging trails exposed to experimental bait. We conclude that a semiochemical from the fungus, circulated by trophallaxis and grooming, regulates the selection of plant material by foragers. The fungus gains more advantages from the symbiotic relationship than is often realised. The ants provide the fungus with housing, sanitation, defence against diseases and predators, pre-selected food, and a means of dissemination, at the cost to itself of providing food for the ant brood.
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