Sex-pairing pheromone of Ancistrotermes dimorphus (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae)

Ancistrotermes dimorphus is a common Macrotermitinae representative, facultative inquiline by its life-style, occurring in South-East China. Sex pheromone is used for couple formation and maintenance, and it is produced by and released from the female sternal gland and is highly attractive to males. Based on our combined behavioral, chemical and electrophysiological analyses, we identified (3Z,6Z)-dodeca-3,6-dien-1-ol as the female sex pheromone of A. dimorphus as it evoked the tandem behavior at short distance, and the active quantities ranged from 0.01 ng to 10 ng. Interestingly, GC–MS analyses of SPME extracts showed another compound specific to the female sternal gland, (3Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol, which showed a clear GC-EAD response. However, this compound has no behavioral function in natural concentrations (0.1 ng), while higher amounts (1 ng) inhibit the attraction achieved by (3Z,6Z)-dodeca-3,6-dien-1-ol. The function of (3Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol is not fully understood, but might be linked to recognition from sympatric species using the same major compound, enhancing the long-distance attraction, or informing about presence of other colonies using the compound as a trail-following pheromone. The sternal gland secretion of Ancistrotermes females contains additional candidate compounds, namely (3E,6Z)-dodeca-3,6-dien-1-ol and (6Z)-dodec-6-en-1-ol, which are not perceived by males’ antennae in biologically relevant amounts.     

Perceptual differences in trail-following leaf-cutting ants relate to body size

Leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta have highly size-polymorphic workers, and size is related to division of labor. We studied trail-following behavior of different-sized workers in a laboratory colony of Atta vollenweideri. For small and large workers, we measured responsiveness and preference to artificial conspecific and heterospecific pheromone trails made from poison gland extracts of A. vollenweideri and A. sexdens. Responsiveness was measured as the probability of trail-following, and preference was measured by testing the discrimination between one conspecific and one heterospecific trail. Minute amounts of the releaser component methyl-4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (0.4pg/1m), present in both, conspecific and heterospecific trails, suffice to elicit trail-following behavior. Workers followed heterospecific trails, and these trails (after normalizing their concentration) were as effective as conspecific trails. Small workers were less likely to follow a trail of a given concentration than large workers. In the discrimination test, small workers preferred the conspecific trail over the heterospecific trail, whereas large workers showed no significant preference. It is suggested that large workers primarily respond to the releaser component present in both trails, whereas small workers focus more on the conspecific traits provided by the blend of components contained in the trail pheromone.     

Sex-pairing pheromones and reproductive isolation in three sympatric Cornitermes species (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae)

The species-specificity of pairing has been studied in three sympatric Neotropical termites: Cornitermes bequaerti, Cornitermes cumulans and Cornitermes silvestrii (Termitidae, Syntermitinae). Bioassays showed that sex attraction was highly species-specific between C. bequaerti and C. cumulans but not between C. cumulans and C. silvestrii. The sex-pairing pheromone of the three species is secreted by the tergal glands of female alates. It consists of a common compound (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol. In C. bequaerti, this polyunsaturated alcohol is the only compound of the sex-pairing pheromone, whereas it is associated with the oxygenated sesquiterpene (E)-nerolidol in C. cumulans, and with (E)-nerolidol and (Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol in C. silvestrii. (3Z,6Z,8E)-Dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol is responsible for sexual attraction, whereas (E)-nerolidol, which is inactive in eliciting attraction of male alates, is responsible for the species-specificity of the attraction. This is the first time that a multicomponent sex-pairing pheromone has been identified in termites. The role of (Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol present on the surface of the tergal glands of the female alates of C. silvestrii could not be definitively determined, but it is suggested that this compound could be involved in the species-specificity of sex attraction with other sympatric species of Cornitermes. Our study shows that the reproductive isolation in termites is due to a succession of factors, as the chronology of dispersal flights, the species-specificity of sex-pairing pheromones and the species-specific recognition.     

Trail Pheromone of the Argentine Ant,Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is recognized as one of the world''s most damaging invasive species. One reason for the ecological dominance of introduced Argentine ant populations is their ability to dominate food and habitat resources through the rapid mobilization and recruitment of thousands of workers. More than 30 years ago, studies showed that (Z)-9-hexadecenal strongly attracted Argentine ant workers in a multi-choice olfactometer, suggesting that (Z)-9-hexadecenal might be the trail pheromone, or a component of a trail pheromone mixture. Since then, numerous studies have considered (Z)-9-hexadecenal as the key component of the Argentine ant trails. Here, we report the first chemical analyses of the trails laid by living Argentine ants and find that (Z)-9-hexadecenal is not present in a detectible quantity. Instead, two iridoids, dolichodial and iridomyrmecin, appear to be the primary chemical constituents of the trails. Laboratory choice tests confirmed that Argentine ants were attracted to artificial trails comprised of these two chemicals significantly more often than control trails. Although (Z)-9-hexadecenal was not detected in natural trails, supplementation of artificial dolichodial+iridomyrmecin trails with an extremely low concentraion of (Z)-9-hexadecenal did increase the efficacy of the trail-following behavior. In stark contrast with previous dogma, our study suggests that dolichodial and iridomyrmecin are major components of the Argentine ant trail pheromone. (Z)-9-hexadecenal may act in an additive manner with these iridoids, but it does not occur in detectable quantities in Argentine ant recruitment trails.     

Chemical communication in termites: syn-4,6-dimethylundecan-1-ol as trail-following pheromone, syn-4,6-dimethylundecanal and (5E)-2,6,10-trimethylundeca-5,9-dienal as the respective male and female sex pheromones in Hodotermopsis sjoestedti (Isoptera, Archotermopsidae)

The trail-following pheromone and sex pheromones were investigated in the Indomalayan termite Hodotermopsis sjoestedti belonging to the new family Archotermopsidae.Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) after solid phase microextraction (SPME) of the sternal gland secretion of pseudergates and trail-following bioassays demonstrated that the trail-following pheromone of H. sjoestedti was syn-4,6-dimethylundecan-1-ol, a new chemical structure for termite pheromones. GC–MS after SPME of the sternal gland secretion of alates also allowed the identification of sex-specific compounds. In female alates, the major sex-specific compound was identified as (5E)-2,6,10-trimethylundeca-5,9-dienal, a compound previously identified as the female sex pheromone of the termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. In male alates, the major sex-specific compound was identified as syn-4,6-dimethylundecanal, a homolog of syn-4,6-dimethyldodecanal, which has previously been confirmed as the male sex pheromone of Z. nevadensis. The presence of sex-specific compounds in alates of H. sjoestedti strongly suggests for this termite the presence of sex-specific pairing pheromones which were only known until now in Z. nevadensis. Our results showed therefore a close chemical relationship between the pheromones of the taxa Hodotermopsis and Zootermopsis and, in contrast, a clear difference with the taxa Stolotermes and Porotermes, which is in total agreement with the recent creation of the families Archotermopsidae and Stolotermitidae as a substitute for the former family Termopsidae.     

Chemical and behavioural studies of the trail-following pheromone in the leaf-cutting ant Atta opaciceps,Borgmeier (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

To understand the significance of the trail pheromone used in chemical communication of the leaf-cutting ants Atta opaciceps we investigated, under laboratory conditions, the trail-following behaviour of different castes. We observed a clear behavioural discrimination of conspecific venom gland extract of foraging ants from those of other species. Additionally, we determined the pheromone composition of A. opaciceps venom gland secretion using a two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Chemical analyses revealed the presence of three nitrogen-containing compounds, identified as 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine and methyl 4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (M4MPC). Four different bioassays performed with workers from different castes of A. opaciceps suggested that the trail pheromone elicits the trail-following behaviour in conspecifics of all castes, but the foragers respond more strongly to their own pheromone than to that of other castes (gardeners, generalists and soldiers). In addition, A. opaciceps foragers follow the trails made with the venom gland extracts of the unrelated Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus foragers as well as they follow the trails made with their own venom gland extract. M4MPC was identified to be the most abundant and the most behaviourally active component of the venom gland extract of A. opaciceps foragers.     

Mutual Use of Trail-Following Chemical Cues by a Termite Host and Its Inquiline

Termite nests are often secondarily inhabited by other termite species ( = inquilines) that cohabit with the host. To understand this association, we studied the trail-following behaviour in two Neotropical species, Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) and its obligatory inquiline, Inquilinitermes microcerus (Termitidae: Termitinae). Using behavioural experiments and chemical analyses, we determined that the trail-following pheromone of C. cyphergaster is made of neocembrene and (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol. Although no specific compound was identified in I. microcerus, workers were able to follow the above compounds in behavioural bioassays. Interestingly, in choice tests, C. cyphergaster prefers conspecific over heterospecific trails while I. microcerus shows the converse behaviour. In no-choice tests with whole body extracts, C. cyphergaster showed no preference for, while I. microcerus clearly avoided heterospecific trails. This seems to agree with the hypothesis that trail-following pheromones may shape the cohabitation of C. cyphergaster and I. microcerus and reinforce the idea that their cohabitation is based on conflict-avoiding strategies.     

Inter- and intraspecific activities of compounds derived from sex pheromone glands of currant borer, Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses of crude sex pheromone gland extracts revealed that virgin Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck), currant borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) females, produced 6 compounds, structurally related to sex pheromone components of clearwing moths. By comparison of retention times and mass spectra of natural products with corresponding properties of synthetic standards, these compounds were identified as: (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dien-1-yl acetate (E2,Z13-18:OAc), (3E,13Z)-octadeca-3,13-dien-1-yl acetate (E3,Z13-18:OAc), (13Z)-octadec-13-en-1-yl acetate (Z13-18:OAc), (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dien-1-ol (E2,Z13-18:OH), (13Z)-octadec-13-en-1-ol (Z13-18:OH) and octadecan-1-ol (18:OH) in the ratio 100:0.7:2.7:3.2:traces:traces. The first 3 compounds were previously known to occur in the sex pheromone gland extracts of currant borers, while the last 3 chemicals are now reported for the first time. Trapping tests carried out in the black currant field revealed that E2,Z13-18:OAc, when tested separately, attracted S. tipuliformis males, while addition of E3,Z13-18:OAc to the main component increased the effectiveness of E2,Z13-18:OAc over seven times. The attractiveness of 6 component lures did not differ significantly from the one of the binary mixture, confirming that E2,Z13-18:OAc and E3,Z13-18:OAc in the ratio100:0.7 are essential sex pheromone components of S. tipuliformis. Trapping tests carried out at the dwelling place of Synanthedon scoliaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) revealed that, in addition to intraspecific synergistic effect, E3,Z13-18:OAc increased the specificity of the pheromone signal of S. tipuliformis, acting by intraspecific mode as an attraction antagonist against S. scoliaeformis males. By this way, it ensured the specificity of the sex attraction signal of the currant borer. Consequently, both compounds E2,Z13-18:OAc and E3,Z13-18:OAc have to be present in pheromone formulations used for monitoring and/or control of S. tipuliformis to avoid effecting non-target species. Other compounds identified from the sex pheromone gland of S. tipuliformis did not show any significant interspecific activity for males of S. scoliaeformis, however, they provide a basis to achieve specificity of a pheromone signal of S. tipuliformis and could act as attraction antagonists against other clearwing moth species which, like S. tipuliformis, employ E2,Z13-18:OAc as their sex pheromone component.     

Nonadecadienone, a new termite trail-following pheromone identified in Glossotermes oculatus (Serritermitidae)

Within the multitude of chemical signals used by termites, the trail marking by means of pheromones is ubiquitous. Chemistry and biology of the trail-following communication have been described in more than 60 species from all families except for the Neotropical Serritermitidae. The chemical ecology of Serritermitidae is of special interest not only as a missing piece of knowledge on the diversity and evolution of isopteran pheromones but also because it may contribute to the debate on the phylogenetic position of this family, which is still unresolved. Therefore, we aimed in this study to identify the trail-following pheromone of the serritermitid Glossotermes oculatus. Based on a combined approach of analytical chemistry, electrophysiology, and behavioral bioassays, we propose (10Z,13Z)-nonadeca-10,13-dien-2-one to be the trail-following pheromone of G. oculatus, secreted by the sternal gland of pseudergates. Thus, we report on a new termite trail-following pheromone of an unexpected chemical structure, a ketone with 19 carbons, contrasting with unsaturated alcohols containing 12 carbons as trail-following pheromones in other advanced termite families. In addition to this unique trail-following pheromone, we also describe the sternal gland in pseudergates as an organ of unusual shape, size, and structure when compared with other isopteran species. These results underline the peculiarity of the family Serritermitidae and prompt our interest in the chemistry of pheromones in the other genus of the family, Serritermes.     

笋秀夜蛾雄蛾对性信息素化合物的电生理和行为反应

利用气质联用仪对笋秀夜蛾雌蛾性腺体粗提物成分进行了分析比对,通过触角电位(EAG)试验研究了笋秀夜蛾雄成虫对性信息素组分的电生理反应,以Y形嗅觉仪进行了室内和林间的行为生测.结果表明： 雌蛾性腺体粗提物中顺11-十六碳乙酸酯(Z11-16:Ac)和顺11-十六碳烯醇(Z11-16:OH)为笋秀夜蛾性信息素活性组分,性腺粗提物、两种化合物及其混合物均能激发雄蛾明显的EAG反应,且EAG反应值随性信息素组分浓度增加而增加.Z11-16:Ac和Z11-16:OH按57∶43配置成的二元混合物所激发的EAG反应强于同等剂量下的单一组分.室内的行为生测和林间诱捕试验结果与EAG反应基本一致,Z11-16:Ac+Z11-16:OH(57∶43)混合物对雄蛾引诱力最强,在林间单诱捕器(诱芯浓度为10⁴ng·μL^-1)的平均诱捕量达到(48.5±6.7)头.     

Identification of a component of the trail pheromone of the ant Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

ABSTRACT The poison gland of minor workers of P.pallidula. Nyl. contains 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine which induces trail-following in other workers, but does not account for the full trail-following effect of one worker's poison gland. No pyrazines were detected in major workers and their glands do not contain the pheromone.     

Identification of minor sex pheromone components of the poplar clearwing moth Paranthrene tabaniformis (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae)

A chemical analysis of the crude sex pheromone gland extracts of virgin calling Paranthrene tabaniformis females, obtained from the European part of Kazakhstan, revealed the presence of five compounds: (3E,13Z)-octadeca-3,13-dien-1-ol (E3,Z13-18:OH), (3Z,13Z)-octadeca-3,13-dien-1-ol (Z3,Z13-18:OH), (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dien-1-ol (E2,Z13-18:OH), (13Z)-octadec-13-en-1-ol (Z13-18:OH), and octadecan-1-ol (18:OH) at the ratios 64.0:32.4: 1.4:0.9:1.3, which are structurally related to sex pheromone components of clearwing moths. Our previous field tests showed synergistic effects of Z3,Z13-18:OH and E2,Z13-18:OH to attract P. tabaniformis males, when these compounds were tested in binary mixtures with the known sex pheromone E3,Z13-18:OH. The three dienic alcohols should all be considered as sex pheromone components of the P. tabaniformis species, while the role of Z13-18:OH and 18:OH remained unclear.     

Chemical and ethological studies of the trail pheromone of the ant Manica rubida (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

ABSTRACT. The poison gland of Manica rubida contains nanogram quantities of four alkylpyrazines, methylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine and 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, of which only the last induces pronounced trail-following behaviour. Myrmica rubra and M. rubida workers follow each other's trails equally well when allowance is made for the much greater size of M. rubida workers. The cross activity in trail-following between M. rubida, M. rubra and Tetramorium caespitum is understandable in terms of the amounts and proportions of the different pyrazines present in their glands and their responses to the synthetic substances and appropriate mixtures of them.     

A comparative study of pheromone perception in two species of Noctuid moths

The electrical activity of single olfactory receptor neurons in male soybean looper (SBL) Pseudoplusia includens(Walker) and cabbage looper (CL) Trihoplusia ni(Hübner) moths was evaluated in response to stimulation with fixed amounts of the individual components of their respective pheromone blends. In common with earlier observations in the CL, there are at least two classes of morphologically distinct pheromone sensitive sensilla on the antenna of male SBL, each of which contains two olfactory receptor neurons. In both species, one class of sensilla contains an olfactory receptor neuron sensitive to (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z-7, 12:AC), the major component in each insect's blend, and a companion receptor neuron which is sensitive to (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol (Z7,12: OH). In both species the second class of sensilla contains an olfactory receptor neuron which is sensitive to one of the minor components of the pheromone blend. (Z)-5-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z-5,12:AC) is an effective stimulus in SBL, whereas (Z)-7-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (Z-7,14:AC) is an effective stimulus in CL. However, these two stimulatory compounds have been identified only in the female CL gland; neither has been found in the SBL gland. Thus, in contrast to the CL, which has receptor neurons which are responsive exclusively to conspecific pheromone components, the SBL has a class of receptor neurons which is responsive to a minor component of another species' pheromone blend. Field-trapping assays in which Z-5,12:AC is added to the SBL blend suggest that this single CL component is a powerful inhibitor of male SBL behavioral responses to conspecific pheromone blends. The difference observed in the specificity of the receptor neurons in this second class of sensilla are thus believed to play an integral role in the isolation processes that are maintained between these two species and may well account for the observed behavioral differences in their responses to heterospecific pheromone blends.     

草地贪夜蛾的性信息素通讯研究进展

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda原产于美洲,具有长距离迁飞特性。该虫于1988年入侵欧洲,2016年入侵非洲,并引起巨大的粮食损失,2018年入侵亚洲,2019年从缅甸传入中国,并在短时间扩散至全国10多个省。草地贪夜蛾依赖性信息素通讯,实现雌雄间识别、交配和繁衍,为了深入研究草地贪夜蛾的性信息素通讯及其机制并开发更高效的预测预报和防治技术,本文综述了草地贪夜蛾性信息素通讯的研究现状。1967年首次报道草地贪夜蛾性信息素为顺9-十四乙酸酯,随后发现有不同的鉴定结果,1986年确认其性信息素由顺9-十四乙酸酯和顺7-十二乙酸酯两个组分组成,其比例为96.6∶3.4时表现出最强的引诱活性。除此而外,对不同地理种群的研究发现,草地贪夜蛾雌蛾的信息素腺体提取物还存在顺9-十二乙酸酯、顺11-十六乙酸酯和反7-十二乙酸酯,田间实验表明这些物质在性信息素通讯中也可发挥作用。根据分子标记和喜食寄主,草地贪夜蛾可分为玉米品系和水稻品系。两个品系在外部形态上无法区分,性信息素组分也相同,但在组分比例上存在一定的差异。两个品系间存在一定程度的生殖隔离,但室内可以正交和反交并产生可育的F1代,F1代的性信息素比例与母本的比较相似。关于草地贪夜蛾雄性对性信息素的感受机制方面研究较少,仅见有感器形态的鉴定和对性信息素组分的触角电位反应研究的报道。根据目前草地贪夜蛾在我国的发生情况及其性信息素通讯机制的研究现状,我们建议尽快开展以下研究：(1)鉴定草地贪夜蛾我国入侵种群的雌性性信息素,尽快用于其种群动态监测及防治;(2)研究草地贪夜蛾雄性对性信息素的嗅觉编码机制;(3)研究草地贪夜蛾两个品系的行为隔离程度及其演化结局。     

Trail Communication During Foraging and Recruitment in the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes santonensis De Feytaud (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)

The search for food in the French subterranean termite Reticulitermes santonensis De Feytaud is organized in part by chemical trails laid with the secretion of their abdominal sternal gland. Trail-laying and -following behavior of R. santonensis was investigated in bioassays. During foraging for food termites walk slowly (on average, 2.3 mm/s) and lay a dotted trail by dabbing the abdomen at intervals on the ground. When food is discovered they return at a quick pace (on average, 8.9 mm/s) to the nest, laying a trail for recruiting nestmates to the food source. While laying this recruitment trail the workers drag the abdomen continuously on the ground. The recruitment trail is highly attractive: it is followed within a few seconds, by more nestmates, and at a quicker pace (on average, 6.4 mm/s) than foraging trails (on average, 2.9 mm/s). The difference between foraging and recruitment trails in R. santonensis could be attributed to different quantities of trail pheromone. A caste-specific difference in trail pheromone thresholds, with workers of R. santonensis being more sensitive to trails than soldiers, was also documented: soldiers respond only to trails with a high concentration of trail pheromone.     

Sex pheromone analysis and effective attraction of males of the cabbage webworm,Hellula undalis,inhabiting the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Hellula undalis is a harmful insect pest of green mustard in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. In order to establish a tool for a sustainable pest control program, the sex pheromone of H. undalis inhabiting the Mekong Delta was examined. GC-EAD and GC–MS analyses of pheromone gland extracts from the virgin females elucidated three new components, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc), (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), and (11E,13E)-11,13-hexadecadien-1-ol, in addition to the known pheromone component (11E,13E)-11,13-hexadecadienal (E11,E13-16:Ald). Double bond positions of the two monoenyl components were determined by GC–MS analysis of the pheromone extract treated with dimethyl disulfide. On the other hand, GC–MS analysis of the female body extract detected the unsaturated hydrocarbon (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9-23:H). Field examinations of their synthetic compounds indicated the significant role of E11,E13-16:Ald as a major component and a clear synergistic effect of the two monoenyl compounds as a minor component. Although the 3:3:7 mixture of Z11-14:OAc, E11-16:Ald, and E11,E13-16:Ald captured the largest number of males among the tested mixtures, the activity was still quite a bit lower than that of virgin females. However, the 3:3:7:1 mixture, which was prepared by adding a small amount of Z3,Z6,Z9-23:H to the 3:3:7 ternary lure, succeeded in attracting males more powerfully than the females did. This strong synergistic effect was not observed when the triene was added to unmixed E11,E13-16:Ald, indicating important roles of not only the triene but also the two monoenyl compounds as natural pheromone components.     

Serotonin modulates worker responsiveness to trail pheromone in the ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pheidole dentata</Emphasis>

As social insect workers mature, outside-nest tasks associated with foraging and defense are typically performed at higher frequencies. Foraging in ants is often a pheromonally mediated collective action performed by mature workers; age-dependent differences in olfactory response thresholds may therefore proximately regulate task repertoire development. In the ant Pheidole dentata, foraging activity increases with chronological age in minor workers, and is chemically controlled. The onset of foraging in minor workers is accompanied by marked neuroanatomical and neurochemical changes, including synaptic remodeling in olfactory regions of the brain, proliferation of serotonergic neurons, and increased brain titers of monoamines, notably serotonin. We examined the linkage of serotonin and olfactory responsiveness by assaying trail-following performance in mature P. dentata minor workers with normal serotonin levels, or serotonin levels experimentally lowered by oral administration of the serotonin synthesis inhibitor α-methyltryptophan (AMTP). By assessing responsiveness to standardized pheromone trails, we demonstrate that trail-following behaviors are significantly reduced in serotonin-depleted workers. AMTP-treated individuals were less likely to initiate trail following, and oriented along pheromone trails for significantly shorter distances than untreated, similar-age workers. These results demonstrate for the first time that serotonin modulates olfactory processes and/or motor functions associated with cooperative foraging in ants.     

槐庶尺蛾性信息素腺体EAG活性成分绝对构型的鉴定(英文)

槐庶尺蛾Semiothisa cinerearia Bremer et Grey （鳞翅目： 尺蛾科）是我国北方国槐Sophora japonica L.上的重要食叶害虫。本研究的主要目的是阐明槐庶尺蛾性信息素成分化学结构的绝对构型, 为在城市地区环境友好地防控槐庶尺蛾的为害提供一种新方法。经与标准品比较气相色谱保留时间和质谱特征离子, 从槐庶尺蛾处女雌蛾（2-3日龄）性信息素腺体溶剂提取物中检测到顺6, 顺9-顺-3, 4-环氧-十七碳二烯烃和顺3, 顺6, 顺9-3, 6, 9-十七碳三烯烃2种成分, 在腺体中以100∶4.8±1.3 （N=12）的比例存在。槐庶尺蛾性信息素腺体提取物进一步经手性毛细管色谱柱（CycloSil-B, 30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm 液膜厚）分离, 在优化的程序升温条件下发现腺体成分顺6, 顺9-顺-3, 4-环氧-十七碳二烯烃具有3R, 4S的绝对构型。两种合成的对映异构体混合物顺6, 顺9-3R, 4S-环氧-十七碳二烯烃和顺6, 顺9-3S, 4R-环氧-十七碳二烯烃以1.28∶1的比例加到腺体提取物中, 比例变为1.55∶1。根据这一分析, 腺体成分顺6, 顺9-顺-3, 4-环氧-十七碳二烯烃进一步确认具有3R, 4S的绝对构型。该研究结论将为生产上研发高效的槐庶尺蛾性信息素诱芯奠定坚实的基础。     

合成黑翅土白蚁踪迹信息素类似物的生物活性

合成了黑翅土白蚁踪迹信息素类似物(Z,Z)-3,6-十二碳二烯醇-1（DDE-OH）,该类似物对黑翅土白蚁工蚁具有和信息素提取物类似的行为反应。活性反应阈值为10^-3～10 ng/cm,大于10 ng/cm时产生较强的驱避作用。最佳活性浓度DDE-OH与信息素提取物的活性反应之间没有显著差别。