ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Tsetse fly
;
sex stimulant
;
pheromone
;
hydrocarbon
;
methylalkanes
;
gas chromatography
;
Diptera
;
biting fly
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Study of lipids from male and female laboratory-reared flies led to the demonstration of a potent contact sex stimulant in extracts and cuticular hydrocarbons of the female tsetse fly Glossina tachinoides (Westwood) against conspecific males. Thin-layer and column chromatography indicated that extracts contained hydrocarbons and saponifiable lipids. Biological activity was found in the alkanes from females, including prominent branched-chain alkanes that were detected by gas chromatography (GC). The alkanes were separated and collected by preparative gas chromatography (GC), and only the 37-carbon region showed biological activity. GC–mass spectrometry showed the major peak contained a mixture of isomeric 11,23-, 13,25- plus a minor amount of 11,21-dimethylheptatriacontane. Two racemic isomers were synthesized, and bioassays showed that the greatest activity was possessed by the 11,23- isomer with somewhat less activity in 13,25-dimethyl heptatria-contane. Dose–response data showed ED50 at 5 μg per decoy with solvent-washed males, nonspecific females, or corks as decoys. These alkanes released sexual activity in males that comprised most of the behaviors released by a female fly of the same species.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1020967918594
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