The male pheromone of the old house borerHylotrupes bajulus (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Identification and female response

We report here the identification of the long-range, male-produced sex pheromone of the Old house borerHylotrupes bajulus. Chemical analysis of hexane extracts obtained by surface extraction from dissected prothoracic glands and from headspace samples of the two sexes, revealed male-specific compounds: (3R)-3-hydroxy-2-hexanone, 2-hydroxy-3-hexanone, the diastereomeric diols (2R, 3R)-2,3-hexanediol and (2S, 3R)-2,3-hexanediol, 2,3-hexanedione, as well as 1-butanol.In wind tunnel bioassays we tested the influence of these male-specific compounds from the prothoracal glands on the behaviour of unmated and mated females. Specific behavioural sequences of the tested females (activity, running behaviour, searching, cleaning, flying, extension of ovipositor) were recorded. Unmated females were attracted by male beetles, headspace extracts of males, synthetic blends of the major pheromone compounds as well as by the components (3R)-3-hydroxy-2-hexanone, and the diastereomeric diols. Hexane, female beetles and 2,3-hexanedione did not attract unmated females. The reactions of mated females to male beetles and headspace samples did not differ significantly from those of the controls.The results of the bioassays show that the two-stage premating behaviour is initiated by emission of a long-range sex pheromone from the male prothoracal glands, which functions as an activator, attractant, and possibly aphrodisiac for unmated females.     

Host tree unsuitability recognized by pine shoot beetles in flight

Summary In spring, the landing rate of flying European pine shoot beetles,Tomicus piniperda L., on injured Scots pine diminishes as colonization continues. This is due to olfactory cues that indicate progressive host degradation. Verbenone was shown to play a role in the beetle's recognition of this unsuitability of a formerly suitable host, since the compound was increasingly released from colonized tree sections as they aged, but not from uninfested sections. Also, the release of verbenone at natural rates in the forest inhibited the attraction of beetles to host monoterpenes.     

On the specific attraction of the males of the six-toothed spruce bark beetle,Pityogenes chalcographus (L.) to a mixture of synthetic pheromones of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle,Ips typographus (L.) (Coleoptera,Scolytidae)

Summary Traps containing a mixture of attractants forIps typographus also caught other species of bark beetles. The numbers ofPityogenes chalcographus, Pityogenes conjunctus, andTrypodendron lineatum were too high to be interpreted as accidental captures. The males of the polygamousP. chalcographus were specifically attracted, indicating that theI. typographus pheromone or one of its components acts as a kairomone and primary attractant for the pioneering males ofP. chalcographus.     

On the synthesis of serine and homoserine samples asymmetrically labelled with tritium and deuterium in the hydroxymethylene group

Summary (1 R) [1-³H,²H₁] 3-Phenylpropanol, the key intermediate in the synthesis of (4 R) [4-³H,²H₁] D, L-homoserine and of the (4 S)-isomer, is obtained from (1 S) [1-²H₁] 3-phenylpropanol and (1 RS) [1-³H] ethanol upon incubation with yeast alcohol dehydrogenase and NAD⁺; under similar conditions 2-phenylethanol undergoes very small exchange with [1-²H₂] ethanol.     

The influence of maltose and other carbohydrates on the feeding behaviour ofHeteronychus arator (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera)

Summary Several of 17 carbohydrates stimulated ingestion by black beetle larvae (Heteronychus arator) and of these maltose induced an exceptionally strong response. Only maltose, glucose, fructose and sucrose stimulated feeding by adult beetles.     

Die Struktur der Cadmiumhydroxyhalogenide CdCl0,67(OH)1,33, CdBr0,6(OH)1,4, CdJ0,5(OH)1,5

Summary The crystal structure of CdCl_0,67(OH)_1,33, CdBr_0,6(OH)_1,4 and CdJ_0,5(OH)_1,5 is determined, the first crystalizes in the C-19-, the latter in the C-6-type. The dimensions of the lattice of the named compounds and of CdCl_0,67(OH)_1,33 are tabulated together with those of Cd(OH)₂ and of the halogenides. It follows that when in Cd(OH)₂ OH-ions are substituted by halogen-ions, the distancea of the Cd-ions in the layers are changed very little, while the distance of the layersc is increased according to the size of the halogen-ion.     

Green leaf volatiles interrupt aggregation pheromone response in bark beetles infesting southern pines

Summary Green leaf volatiles were shown to interrupt responses to aggregation pheromones of three species of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) which infest pines in the southern United States [the southern pine beetle,Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.; the four-spined engraver,Ips avulsus (Eichhoff); and the five-spined engraver,Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff)]. The order of effectiveness of the compounds tested for each species was hexanal>hexanal+hexan-1-ol>hexan-1-ol. Neither hexanal, hexan-1-ol nor hexanal+hexan-1-ol was as effective in interrupting pheromone responses ofD. frontalis as verbenone, a known inhibitor of this species. Other than interspecific chemical signals, this is the first report of an interruptant forIps species, and the only report of a pheromone interruptant active for bothIps andDendroctonus species.     

Nachweis der Selbst-Erregung der circadianen Periodizität bei Carabiden (Coleoptera Ins.)

Summary Most of the active individuals ofCarabus cancellatus (Coleoptera) investigated were synchronized by zeitgeber-lengths of 8/8 10/10 or 16/16 h. On the other hand, a smaller number of beetles lost the periodicities of these Zeitgebers and showed a circadian activity rhythm. According to these experiments, the existence of a self-sustained circadian oscillation in carabid beetles is demonstrated. As we believe, a special numerical method of computing the length of activity periodicities was used for the first time.     

Cytogénétique desLeggada: (1) La formule chromosomique deMus (Leggada)bufo Th., (2) Nouvelles données sur la délétion portant sur le bras court d'unX chezMus (Leggada)triton Th

Summary The author treats 2 topics connected with his studies on the cytogenetics of the African pigmy-mice. (1)Mus (Leggada) bufo Th. shows the primitive complement already detected in other species or subspecies (minutoides ssp ₁,indutus, tenellus, setulosus): 2N=36,N.F.=36, sex chromosomesPR. (2) The deletion of the short arm of oneX-chromosome (X _dc ) was previously observed as heterozygous mutation by 4 in a sample of 7 and 5 . A more important sample (18 , 21 ) gives the following results: 11 X-X, 10 X-X _dc , 18 X-Y. The occurrence of X _dc -X _dc and of X _dc -Y is also very improbable. It is not easy to understand how the chromosomeX _dc may persist in the population if the complementsX _dc -X _dc andX _dc -Y are lethal, which seems to result from these observations.     

Sopra un caso particolare della superficie F 4 (3) di M. Noether

Summary The Noetherian surfaceF ₄ ⁽³⁾ , which is represented on a plane by a linear ³ system ofC ₉(A ₁ ³ A ₂ ³ A ₃ ³ A ₄ ³ A ₅ ³ A ₆ ³ A ₇ ³ A ₈ ³ A ₉ ² A ₁₀), possesses generally only one linear pencil of elliptic cubics. IfA _i (i=1, 2, , 9) are the basis points of aHalphen pencil ofC ₉,A ₁₀ is infinitely near toA ₉, and in this caseF ₄ ⁽³⁾ is a not trivial example of such a surface with two pencils of elliptic cubics.     

Instar-specific defensive secretions of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Defensive secretions (allomones) from first-instar nymphs of stink bugs in the subfamily Pentatominae contain (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal as a major constituent, whereas this compound is absent from later instars. In contrast, first instars ofEdessa meditabunda (Edessinae) produce allomones like those of later instars. The C₆ and C₈ (E)-4-oxo-2-alkenals are common, characteristic exocrine compounds of nymphal and adult Heteroptera, but (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal is previously unknown as a major natural product for which a biological role has yet to be established.     

Identification and seasonal quantification of defensive secretion components ofOreina gloriosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Tyrosine betaine, four new cardenolides (4, 5, 6, and7) and three known cardenolides (2, 3, and8) were isolated from the defensive secretion, of the leaf beetleOreina gloriosa and their chemical structure determined. 16 secretion components of individual beetles were quantified. Secretion composition of field-collected beetles was affected by season, sex and body weight.     

Cantharidin analogues and their attractancy for ceretopogonid flies (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Several ceratopogonid flies are attracted to cantharidin and ingest it from both cantharidin-baits and from meloid beetles, one of the few known natural sources for cantharidin. Because meloids are absent in northern Bavaria, and certain canthariphilous flies of the genusAtrichopogon are temporarily associated with certain plants (Apiaceae, Aristolochiaceae), it was suggested that canthariphilous ceratopogonids might be generally attracted by chemically similar plant-derived compounds. At first the seasonal fluctuating attractancy, sex ratio and behaviour ofA. oedemerarum Storå was studied at cantharidin baits. Synthetic cantharidin analogues exhibited an attractancy forA. oedemerarum if the exo,exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton of cantharidin was associated with a 2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride or a 2,3--lactone. According to structure-activity studies, the analogues seem to fit best into the active site of the receptor if the carbonyl function of the -lacton is in the exo- and 2-position. This is the first report indicating that molecules other than cantharidin are attractive for canthariphilous insects.     

Chemical analysis of the pheromone blends produced by males and females of the neotropical moth,Mocis megas (Guénée) (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae, Catocalinae)

Summary Pheromonal secretions produced by females and males of the noctuid moth,Mocis megas (Guénée) have been analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (EI (electron impact) and CI (chemical ionization)). The female sex pheromone was a blend of (Z,Z,Z) 3,6,9 heneicosatriene (55%) and (Z,Z) 3,6-cis-9S, 10R-epoxyheneicosadiene (45%). Male secretion produced at the level of a prothoracic organ was a blend of two unsaturated major hydrocarbons: (Z,Z) 6,9 heneicosadiene, (64%) and (Z,Z,Z) 3,6,9 heneicosatriene (24%) and C₁₉, C₂₀ and C₂₂ homologues (total ratio 12%), as minor components. The trienic hydrocarbon was present in both sexes. The behavioral role of this male secretion has not yet been elucidated.     

Avoidance of competition by spruce bark beetles,Ips typographus andPityogenes chalcographus

Bark beetles,Ips typographus andPityogenes chalcographus, attracted by synthetic or natural pheromone to Norway spruce logs,Picea abies, preferred to colonize uninfested logs rather than logs occupied by these beetles, probably as a means of avoiding intra-and interspecific competition. The aggregation pheromone components ofP. chalcographus, chalcogran and methyl (E, Z)-2,4-decadienoate, inhibited the attraction response ofI. typographus to its pheromone components (methyl butenol andcis-verbenol), while the converse was not true. However, verbenone released from colonized bark inhibited pheromonal response ofP. chalcographus.     

A chromosome study ofScarites occidentalis (Coleoptera,Caraboidea)

Summary Scarites occidentalis has 2n=41 (females 2n=42), n=19+X₁X₂Y. This multiple sex-chromosome system and other karyotypic characteristics suggest that this species andS. buparius share a recent common ancestor in which the sex trivalent was probably originated.Thanks are due to Dr N. Virkki for his valuable comments and his help with the English, to Dr Ramos and Dr Aparicio for discussion and advice, to Dr F. Hiraldo and M. Mañez for collecting the specimens. This work has been supported by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.     

New contribution to the study of chromosomes of the European Cryptocephalinae (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Summary The chromosomes of three species ofPachybrachis and nine ofCryptocephalus chrysomelids were analyzed. The male meiotic bivalent formula ofP. azureus Suffr.,P. catalonicus Burl. andP. petitpierrei Daccordi is 7^II+Xy_r.Cryptocephalus sexmaculatus Ol. andC. vittula Suffr. have 13^II+Xy_p,C. bipunctatus L. 14^II+Xy_r,C. ochroleucus Steph. andC. ocellatus Drap. 14^II+Xy_p,C. crassus 01. 15^II+Xy_r,C. sulphureus 01. 15^II+Xy_p, the same number as inC. fulvus Goeze with 2n=32 chromosomes, whileC. primarius Har. has 19^II+Xy_p. The modal chromosome number inCryptocephalus is 2n=30 (about 60% of spp.), and most species are characterized their small chromosomes. The low variation found in the karyotypes of Cryptocephalinae along with their possible interrelationships with allied chrysomelid subfamilies are also discussed.     

The karyotype,C-bands and AgNO3-bands of a lungless salamander from Korea:Onychodactylus fischeri (Boulenger) (Amphibia,Urodela)

The karyotype of a lungless salamander,Onychodactylus fischeri, from Korea was analyzed and compared with that of the Japanese congeneric species,O. japonicus. In both species the diploid karyotype consists of78 chromosomes, including 6 pairs of large chromosomes, 6 pairs of medium-sized ones, and the remaining 27 pairs of microchromosomes. The chromosome number ofO. fischeri, 2n=78, is, like that ofO. japonicus, the largest so far reported in the order Urodela. C-banding showed that constitutive heterochromatin inO. fischeri was mainly in the centromeric regions and near the secondary constrictions of the large chromosomes. AgNO₃-bands were located in the secondary constrictions associated with C-band heterochromatin.     

Sex determining mechanismXY 1Y2 inArtibeus lituratus lituratus (Chiroptera-phyllostomidae)

Resumen En el murciélagoArtibeus lituratus lituratus el nÚmero de cromosomas es de 2n=30 en la hembra y de 2n=31 en el macho. El mecanismo de determination del sexo esXX/XY ₁Y₂. La translocación de un autosoma alX resultó en la diferenciación del neo-Y. Son descritos los aspectos del comportamiento del trivalente sexual durante la meiosis. Estos son comparados a los que presenta la especieNoctilio leporinus (2n=34) cuyo mecanismo esXX/X Y.

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This work was supported by Public Health Service Research Grant No. GM-14577-03 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and by the Fundo de Pesquisas do Instituto Butantan. R. F. B. holds a FAPESP training fellowship.     

Prostaglandin (15S)-PGA2 derivatives in the gorgonianPlexaura homomalla (Esper), formakükenthali Moser

Summary The lipid fraction, 17%, of air-driedPlexaura homomalla formakükenthali, collected in the Caribbean at Puerto Rico, yielded 50% of its weight as the mammalian prostaglandin (15S)-PGA₂ methyl ester. The freeze-dried gorgonian yielded (15S)-PGA₂ largely as the acetate of the methyl ester. (15S)-PGA₂ was also obtained from material collected at St. Croix and at South Caicos. Field observations indicate thatPlexaura kükenthali may be a species separate fromPlexaura homomalla and that it is abundant on some shallow water reefs in the Caribbean. Prostaglandins could not be detected in the lipid fraction of eggs isolated fromPlexaura homomalla (Esper) formahomomalla.Acknowledgments. We gratefully acknowledge support from the Office of Sea Grant, NOAA, Department of Commerce (Grant 047-158-44067), and the use of facilities at the Isla Mayagues Marine Laboratory of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, the West Indies Laboratory of Fairleigh Dickinson University at St. Croix, U.S.V.I., and the Marine-Biologisch Instituut at Curacao. Special thanks to Dr. F.M. Bayer, Curator, Department of Zoology, National Museum of Natural History-Smithsonian Institution for checking identity of gorgonians used in this study.