Biosynthesis and Endocrine Regulation of Sex Pheromone Production in Diptera

Role of the ejaculatory bulb in biosynthesis of the male pheromone cis‐vaccenyl acetate in Drosophila melanogaster

“…These hydrocarbons are themselves synthesized from acetate via linear fatty acids with 12-18 carbons and subsequent elongation-decarboxylation reactions, as in other insects (Blomquist et al 1987;Pennanec'h et al 1997). Recent developments suggest that vaccenic acid itself could arise from desaturation of palmitic acid followed by elongation.…”

Site of synthesis, tissue distribution, and lipophorin transport of hydrocarbons in Blattella germanica (L.) nymphs

“…Grooming does provide an opportunity for insects to redistribute cuticular waxes, but several studies implicate a hemolymph transport pathway (Chino, 1985;Soulages and Wells, 1994;Schal et al, 1998). HC contained in the hemolymph of many insect species, including locusts, beetles, bees, flies, and cockroaches, is qualitatively similar to the respective epicuticular HC Chino, 1982, 1984;Blomquist et al, 1987;Pho et al, 1996;see Schal et al, 1998 for other examples). In adult B. germanica all of the hemolymph HC is associated with lipophorin, a hemolymph lipoprotein that transports HC to both the epicuticle and developing oöcytes (Gu et al, 1995).…”

Endocrine regulation of de novo aggregation pheromone biosynthesis in the pine engraver, Ips pini (Say) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

“…Pheromone biosynthesis is regulated by pheromone-biosynthesisactivating-neuropeptide (PBAN) (reviewed in Raina, 1993Raina, , 1997 in most lepidopterans; ecdysone in some dipterans (reviewed in Blomquist et al, 1987Blomquist et al, , 1992; and juvenile hormone (JH) in coleopterans (reviewed in Vanderwel, 1994), some blattodeans (Schal et al, 1990;Chase et al, 1992), and some lepidopterans (Cusson and McNeil, 1989). Studies of scolytids have shown that pheromone biosynthesis in the presence or absence of host monoterpene precursors and without pre-feeding is stimulated by topical treatment with exogenous juvenile hormone III (JH III) or JH analogs (JHAs) Hughes and Renwick, 1977a, b;Harring, 1978;Renwick and Dickens, 1979;Bridges, 1982;Conn et al, 1984;Chen et al, 1988).…”