Action and composition of the alarm pheromone of the bedbugCimex lectularius L.

Levinson, Hermann Zacharias; Levinson, Anna R.; Maschwitz, U.

doi:10.1007/bf00606522

Cited by 69 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Generally, the (E)-isomers of 2-alkenals must be regarded as more stable than (Z)-isomers, and the predominance of (E)-2-alkenals also is reflected in the exocrine secretions of other Arthropoda. The exudates of true bugs, for instance, represent the best known natural source for (E)-2-alkenals, and the major alkenal of A. dicentrus, (E)-2-octenal, is a common component in the secretions of representatives of different heteropteran families as well (Collins, 1968;Levinson et al, 1974;Farine et al, 1993;Aldrich et al, 1997;Siljander et al, 2008). (E)-2-Octenal contributes strongly to the offensive smell of some of these bug-species, and the characteristic bug-like smell of the Allajulus-secretion also relies on the presence of this compound.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Millipedes That Smell Like Bugs: (E)-Alkenals in the Defensive Secretion of the Julid Diplopod Allajulus Dicentrus

Bodner

Raspotnig

2012

J Chem Ecol

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The secretions from serial defensive glands of the Austrian diplopod Allajulus dicentrus (Julidae, Cylindroiulini) were extracted and analyzed by means of gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. In adults, 13 components from two chemical classes were detected: 1) The common juliform benzoquinones were represented by four compounds (2-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone). From this series, 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone was most abundant, comprising about 40 % of the whole secretion. 2) All remaining compounds were identified as aliphatic (E)-alkenals [(E)-2-heptenal, (E)-2-octenal, (E)-2-nonenal, (E)-2-decenal)] along with their corresponding alcohols. (E)-2-Octenal was most abundant, roughly accounting for another 35 % of the secretion. In juveniles, different stages in the ontogenetic development of the secretion were observed, with early instars (stadium III and IV) exclusively containing the benzoquinone fraction. Alkenols and alkenals were added in later instars (stadium V and VI), with secretions of stadium VI-juveniles being already similar to those of adults. Representatives of Spirostreptida, Spirobolida, and Julida traditionally have been considered to produce benzoquinonic secretions only ("quinone millipedes"), and information on secretion components from other chemical classes is still scarce. We here provide evidence for the participation of non-quinonic compounds in the defensive exudates of the Cylindroiulini. The occurrence of additional, non-quinonic compounds in certain species within a chemically homogenous, benzoquinone-producing taxon indicates the rapid adoption of novel exocrine compounds, possibly in order to meet the demands in a changed ecological environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Millipedes That Smell Like Bugs: (E)-Alkenals in the Defensive Secretion of the Julid Diplopod Allajulus Dicentrus

Bodner

Raspotnig

2012

J Chem Ecol

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“…The major components of the alarm pheromone are (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal (Feldlaufer et al, 2010;Levinson et al, 1974;Liedtke et al, 2011;Weeks et al, 2010). In adults, aldehydes are the major components, but nymphs have high levels of oxo-aldehydes as well (Feldlaufer et al, 2010;Levinson et al, 1974;Liedtke et al, 2011). The alarm pheromone serves multiple roles in relation to bed bug behavior (Weeks et al, 2011).…”

Section: Chemical Cues: Host Location and Bed Bug Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In particular, there are chemicals that communicate aggregation and alarm responses (Feldlaufer et al, 2010;Levinson and Bar Ilan, 1971;Levinson et al, 1974;Siljander et al, 2008;Usinger, 1966;Weeks et al, 2011). The major components of the alarm pheromone are (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal (Feldlaufer et al, 2010;Levinson et al, 1974;Liedtke et al, 2011;Weeks et al, 2010).…”

Section: Chemical Cues: Host Location and Bed Bug Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms that contribute to the establishment and persistence of bed bug infestations

Benoit¹,

Attardo

2013

Terr Arthropod Rev

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Bed bugs have reestablished as pests over the last two decades after a period of near eradication throughout large portions of the world. The increasing frequency of bed bug infestations has prompted research into every facet of bed bug biology. Of particular interest is identification ofthe specific factors that allow bed bugs to be transported, to thrive within human dwellings and to survive pest control strategies. This review provides a synopsis ofthe biochemical, physiological and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the resurgence of bed bugs, with a focus upon the aspects that allow bed bugs to overcome the roadblocks preventing establishment and persistence in close proximity to humans. Topics discussed include dispersal, host avoidance, mating, chemical signaling, symbiosis, blood feeding, thermal tolerance, starvation resistance, dehydration resistance and pesticide resistance. These aspects of Cimex biology are explored within the context of the effect that these traits have upon transportation, establishment and eradication of bed bugs with an emphasis on the issues of pesticide resistance and population resurgence. In general, bed bugs are exceptional in their abihty to proliferate in close-proximity to humans. The emergence of recent adaptations such as pesticide resistance has exacerbated the already difficult task of eliminating bed bug infestations.

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“…This work was built on by Collins 59 and a series of papers by Levinson and Bar Ilan, 60 Levinson and others. 61,62 The buggy odor of C. lectularius was described in the early 1900s, 63 although this work preceded any mention of the odor's behavioral action or the identification of the compounds responsible. The resurgence of bed bug populations has resulted in a renewed interest in the chemical ecology of these pests, which in turn, has led to the discovery of two new alarm pheromones and new insights into how bed bugs use them.…”

Section: Current Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%