Male-specific volatiles from nearctic and Australasian true bugs (Heteroptera: Coreidae and Alydidae)

Abstract

Aeration and exocrine gland extracts were analyzed for three Coreidae and two Alydidae. Males of all the species studied emit volatile blends that are probably pheromones, but sexual communication in these insects evolved differently. In the alydids,Riptortus serripes andMirperus scutellaris, the metathoracic scent glands are sexually dimorphic, and the dimorphisms are expressed chemically. Secretions from the male alydids contain high concentrations of esters or alcohols [e.g., (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate, (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate, and (E)-2-octenol], while females produce mainly acids and aldehydes [e.g., butyric and hexanoic acids, and (E)-2-hexenal]. In the coreids,Amblypelta lutescens lutescens, Amblypelta nitida, andLeptoglossus phyllopus, the metathoracic scent glands are not sexually dimorphic, but male- and species-specific volatiles are released, apparently from cells in the cuticular epidermis. The coreid male-specific volatiles are primarily monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, including (-)-(3R)-(E)-nerolidol as the major component fromA. lutescens lutescens (an Australasian species) andL. phyllopus (a Nearctic species). Only (+)-(3S)-(E)-nerolidol is commonly found in plants so (E)-nerolidol from these coreids is environmentally unique because of its chirality.

Attractant Pheromone of the Neotropical SpeciesNeomegalotomus parvus(Westwood) (Heteroptera: Alydidae)

“…Males and females of N. parvus produce several short chain esters and acids, most of which were previously reported for others species of Alydidae from the metathoracic scent glands [14,15,17,18,22] (Table 2); however, this is the first report of pentanoates from Alydidae. The antennae of N. parvus showed electrophysiological responses to five of these esters, three common to both adult sexes (hexyl butanoate, 4-methylhexyl butanoate and hexyl hexanoate), and two female-specific compounds (4-methylhexyl pentanoate and hexyl pentanoate).…”

“…Semiochemicals of Alydidae have been described for Alydus [14,15], Megalotomus [14], Riptortus [16][17][18], and Leptocorisa [19] species, and for some of these bugs both adults and nymphs are reportedly attracted. For example, field experiments showed that Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) could be efficiently captured in traps baited with their aggregation pheromone [20][21][22].…”

Electrophysiological responses of eucalyptus brown looper Thyrinteina arnobia to essential oils of seven Eucalyptus species

“…29 In our study, α-terpineol was the compound that elicited the greatest response in T. arnobia female and male antennae. Another active terpenoid, trans-nerolidol, functions either as an insect attractant [30][31][32] or as an antifeedant. 33 (E,E)-α-Farnesene, the main constituent of apple odor, stimulates oviposition and attracts neonate larvae and adult females of Cydia pomonella at short range.…”

The chemical volatiles (Semiochemicals) produced by neotropical stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

“…There are several studies detailing the qualitative differences in the blends produced by nymphs and adults (Lusby & Kochansky 1986, Aldrich & Yonke 1975, Borges & Aldrich 1992, Farine et al 1992, Blatt et al 1998, and between males and females (Aldrich et al 1993a, Ho et al 2003. More recently Pareja et al (2007) conducted a study showing qualitative and quantitative differences of the defensive compounds on fi ve different species of Pentatomidae found in Brazil.…”