Mating behaviour and evidence for a female released courtship pheromone in the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

The mating behaviour of the signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), has been categorised into seven distinct stages:; orientation; contact; seizure; turning; mounting; spermatophore deposition; and dismounting. These categories were used in the development of a bioassay to test whether mature females release a sex pheromone during the breeding season to which males respond. Water conditioned by 1) mature females (MF water), 2) immature females (IF water) and 3) freshwater (C water), were injected through standard aquarium air-stones into tanks containing mature males. The behaviour of the male was recorded on video for 15 minutes before and after injection of each test water. The time that the males spent exhibiting the three behavioural categories of quiescent, motile and handling of the air-stone, were recorded. Handling of the air-stone included the mating behaviours of seizure, mounting, and spermatophore deposition onto the surface of the air-stone. Males exposed to MF water exhibited significantly increased levels of motile activity and handling behaviour, than males exposed to C water or IF water. These results demonstrate for the first time the presence of a sex pheromone, released during the breeding season by mature females, that stimulates courtship and mating behaviour in male P. leniusculus.     

Occurrence and Correlations of Monoterpene Hydrocarbon Enantiomers in Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies

The relative amounts and enantiomeric compositions of monoterpene hydrocarbons in branch and trunk xylem, in needles, and in resin from apical buds in 18 Pinus sylvestris trees have been determined and compared with the terpene content in branch xylem and needles of Picea abies. Besides the high amount of (+)-3-carene, an excess of (+)--pinene has been found in P. sylvestris, whereas in P. abies (–)--pinene dominates over (+)--pinene. In P. sylvestris, clear positive correlations were found between (+)--pinene and (+)-camphene in the four tissues analyzed. Good positive correlations were also observed between (–)--pinene and (–)-camphene in the two types of xylem, between (+)--pinene and (+)--pinene in the resin, and between tricyclene and (–)-camphene in resin and needles. In P. abies, positive correlations were found between (+)--pinene and (+)-camphene in the branch xylem and between tricyclene and (–)-camphene as well as between (–)--pinene and (–)-camphene in the needles. Complex relationships between (–)--pinene and (–)--pinene were found both in the P. abies and in the P. sylvestris tissues. The importance of the enantiomeric composition of -pinene for the host selection of Ips typographus, Tomicus piniperda, and Hylobius abietis is discussed.     

Aggregation pheromone characterization and comparison inDrosophila ananassae andDrosophila bipectinata

(Z)-11-Octadecenyl acetate (Z11–18Ac) and (Z)-11-eicosenyl acetate (Z11–20Ac) were identified as the aggregation pheromones ofDrosophila ananassae, andZ11–20Ac was identified as the aggregation pheromone ofDrosophila bipectinata. Z11–18Ac andZ11–20Ac were not attractive alone; however, in combination with fermenting food odors, the acetates attracted flies of both sexes in a wind-tunnel olfactometer. The pheromones were present in the ejaculatory bulb of sexually mature male flies and transferred to the female during mating. MaleD. bipectinata released little if anyZ11–20Ac to the food; however, recently mated females releasedZ11–20Ac to the surrounding surfaces in just a few hours after mating.D. ananassae males, on the other hand, appeared to release moreZ11–18Ac andZ11–20Ac to the surroundings than mated females. AlthoughD. bipectinata males had noZ11–18Ac, flies were as attracted toZ11–18Ac as to an equal quantity ofZ11–20Ac.D. ananassae were attracted toZ11–18Ac but not toZ11–16Ac orZ11–20Ac. However,Z11–20Ac in combination withZ11–18Ac was significantly more attractive thanZ11–18Ac alone.     

Light-induced variation in phenolic levels in foliage of rain-forest plants

Levels of phenolic secondary metabolites in the leaves of four west African rain-forest plants,Acacia pennata, Cynometra leonensis, Diopyros thomasii, andTrema guineensis, were correlated with incident light intensity at both the inter- and intraindividual level. Enhanced phenolic levels under high light intensity appeared to be due to production of both polyphenolics (condensed and hydrolyzable tannins) and simple phenolics. InTrema guineensis, where it is possible to separate leaves in terms of both their age and the light incident upon them, condensed tannin production progressed differently during the development of sun and shade leaves, suggesting continuing production of new oligomers in the former but not in the latter. The results of this study suggest that the production of phenolics in relation to variation in incident light is a finely tuned process, which must be explained in terms of plant physiology and intermediate metabolism rather than in terms of resource allocation or a direct response to herbivory.     

Sex pheromone ofGrapholita funebrana occurrence ofZ-8- andZ-10-Tetradecenyl acetate as secondary components

Z-8-Dodecenyl acetate (Z8–12Ac),E-8-dodecenyl acetate (E8–12Ac),Z-8-tetradecenyl acetate (Z8–14Ac),Z-10-tetradecenyl acetate (Z10–14Ac), andZ-8-dodecen-1-ol (Z8–12OH) were identified in the proportions 10013052 in female sex gland extracts ofGrapholita funebrana, accompanied by saturated acetates from 12 to 20 carbons with tetradecyl acetate predominating.Z10–14Ac has not previously been described as a lepidopteran sex pheromone component. Best attraction of males is obtained withZ8–12Ac in the presence of a higher proportion ofE8–12Ac than in the female. Inclusion of the 14-carbon acetates did not augmentG. funebrana catches but inhibitedG. molesta. On the other hand, addition ofZ8–12OH at the level optimal forG. molesta reduced attraction ofG. funebrana.     

Inhibition of male response of drugstore beetles to stegobinone by its isomer

Stegobinone, (2S, 3R, 1R)-2,3,-dihy dro-2,3,5-trimethyl-6-(1-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-4H-pyran-4-one, the sex pheromone of drugstore beetles (Stegobium paniceum L.), elicited the pheromonal response from the males of the species in our bioassay system; however, the synthesized diastereomeric mixture of this compound was actually inactive to the males. Although the stegobinone isolated from the beetles of this species had significant activity, its enantiomeric [(±)-2S,3R,1S-] and diatereomeric [(±)-2S,3S,1RS-] isomers were inactive. Adding the (±)-2S,3R,1S isomer to stegobinone significantly reduced the male response. Furthermore, the activity of Stegobinone vanished on keeping it at room temperature for two weeks. In such a stored stegobinone sample, the presence of 2S,3R,1S isomer, the inhibitory component, was confirmed. This isomer might be produced by C-1 epimerization during storage.     

A study of the acidic and catalytic properties of pure and sulfated zirconia–titania and zirconia–silica mixed oxides

Protonated pyridine (PyH⁺) was not found on ZrO₂ (Z) or ZrO₂–TiO₂ (ZT), but was detected on sulfated oxides (ZS, ZTS) by IR spectroscopy. In contrast, ZrO₂–SiO₂ samples containing about 30–80 mol% ZrO₂ showed Brønsted acidity both in nonsulfated (ZS) and sulfated (ZSS) forms. The total acidity was determined by NH₃TPD. Introduction of sulfate ions increased the sitespecific catalytic activity (TOF) in the conversion of cyclopropane or nhexane. The effect of sulfate ions was more significant on samples rich in zirconia. Results suggest that Zr is homogeneously distributed in ZS samples rich in silica. Zirconiabound dimeric sulfate, generating strong acidity, could not be formed in these preparations due to the absence of fairly large ZrO₂ domains.     

Fate of quinolizidine alkaloids through three trophic levels:Laburnum anagyroides (Leguminosae) and associated organisms

The quinolizidine alkaloids (QA) of golden rain,Laburnum anagyroides, and those of phytophagous insects associated with the plant, as well as of parasitoids of the latter, were analyzed by capillary GLC and GLC-MS. The alkaloid content in samples of vegetative plant parts was high at the beginning of the season, then decreased, while that of reproductive organs was high throughout flowering, pod formation, and maturation. The analyses showed that the QA of the plant passed through two higher trophic levels (herbivorous insects and their parasitoids) and that the alkaloid pattern changed little during the passage. The alkaloids were present in two phytophagous insect species associated with golden rain: the predispersal seed predator,Bruchidius villosus [5–13g/g fresh weight (fw)], andAphis cytisorum (182–1012g/g fw), an aphid that feeds on shoots, leaves, and inflorescences. Braconid and chalcidoid parasitoids emerging from the bruchid host also contained alkaloids (1.3–3g/g fw), as did three foraging ant species,Lasius niger, Formica rufibarbis, andF. cunicularia (45g/g fw), that visited the aphid colonies or honeydew-covered leaves of aphid-infested plants. The hypothesis that developing bruchid larvae and/or the plant manipulate QA supply to infested seeds was not supported, because QA content of leftover endosperm in seeds after bruchid development was similar to that of uninfested seeds. The frass of developing bruchid larvae was rich in QA (31g/ g dry weight). While aphids sequestered, the bruchid larvae took up and eliminated QA with the frass without chemical transformation.     

Sex pheromone of the chokecherry leafroller moth,Sparganothis directana

(E)-9,11-Dodecadienyl acetate and (Z)-9,11-dodecadienyl acetate in conjunction with (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate were found to comprise the sex pheromone ofSparganothis directana, based on chemical analysis, electroantennogram tests, and field trapping. (E)-9-Dodecenyl acetate and (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate were also found in gland extracts but did not influence trap catches. The relative amounts of these compounds in the gland were 3521928 106, in the order named. Only (E)-9,1 1-dodecadienyl acetate, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate were required for attraction of males to traps, dispensed in the relative amounts 501238, respectively.Lepidoptera: Tortricidae.Supported by National Science Foundation grant PCM 78-13241.     

Field response ofDendroctonus brevicomis toexo-brevicomin,frontalin, and myrcene released at two proportions and three levels

Racemicezo-brevicomin, racemic frontalin, and myrcene were released at two proportions (51400 and 111), each at three levels (1 ×, 10 ×, and 100 ×) in a ponderosa pine forest in central California. The 51400 mix was based on an estimate of the relative amounts released from a ponderosa pine under attack by the western pine beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis. MoreD. brevicomis were trapped at a source of the three compounds released at 51400 than were trapped at a source released at 111, at all three levels, but this difference was statistically significant only at the 1 × and 10 × levels. Sex ratio of trapped beetles and distribution of catch at the source of attractant and 5 m away apparently did not differ between relative release rates.Coleoptera: Scolytidae.Trade names are mentioned solely for information. No endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is implied.     

Components of female sex pheromone of cocoa pod borer moth,Conopomorpha cramerella

The cocoa pod borer,Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is the most serious pest of cocoa in Southeast Asia. Analyses of ovipositor washings and entrained volatiles from virgin female moths by gas chromatography (GC) linked to electroantennography (EAG), and comparison of EAG responses from the male moth to synthetic compounds indicated the presence of theE,Z,Z andE,E,Z isomers of 4,6,10-hexadecatrienyl acetate and the corresponding alcohols, and of hexadecyl alcohol. Amounts of pheromone produced were less than 0.1 ng/female, and no peaks for the unsaturated components were observed on GC analysis. Extensive field testing of synthetic mixtures in Sabah, East Malaysia, showed that traps baited with a polyethylene vial impregnated with 1.2 mg of a mixture of the above five components in 40604610 ratio caught more maleC. cramerella moths than traps baited with a virgin female moth.     

Interactions between pheromone traps with different strength lures for the pine beauty moth,Panolis flammea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Catches of malePanolis flammea in traps baited with lures containing 25 g of sex attractant are enhanced when in the proximity of traps baited with 125-g lures. The degree of enhancement is increased as the intertrap distance is decreased, and when the low-dose trap is upwind of the high-dose one. The patterns of alteration in trap catch suggest that moths initially attracted by one lure may divert into other traps, which may be either upwind of the original trap (overshooting), or downwind (undershooting). Overshooting can result in up to fivefold increases in catch and may provide a useful method for estimating the attractant zone of particular lure/trap combinations.     

Volatile Production by Buds and Corollas of Two Sympatric, Confamilial Plants, Ipomopsis aggregata and Polemonium foliosissimum

We used solid-phase microextraction of headspace samples followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the major volatile compounds produced by the buds and corollas of Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae), and we compared them to a sympatric, confamilial plant species, Polemonium foliosissimum. The two species have distinct floral morphologies and pollinators, but share a common predispersal seed predator that oviposits under the calyces of buds. Ipomopsis aggregata buds emitted fewer compounds than the corollas. The buds of I. aggregata were dominated by -pinene and, to a lesser extent, -pinene. The corollas of I. aggregata emitted a mixture of 10 compounds. Like the buds, I. aggregata corollas produced relatively high concentrations of -pinene as well as caryophyllene. In addition, the emission of four terpenoids, three esters, and one ketone added to the volatile bouquet of the corollas. Polemonium foliosissimum buds also emitted fewer compounds than the corollas. The buds of P. foliosissimum were dominated by -pinene and, to a lesser extent, -pinene. The corollas of P. foliosissimum were also dominated by -pinene along with three terpenoids, three alcohols, one ester, and two aldehydes. Comparing I. aggregata and P. foliosissimum, bud samples from both species produced considerable amounts of - and -pinene. Ipomopsis aggregata emitted more -pinene than -pinene, while P. foliosissimum emitted more -pinene. The corollas of the two species, however, differed in their volatile bouquet. The partition of volatiles between I. aggregata and P. foliosissimum buds and corollas and differences in volatile production between I. aggregata and P. foliosissimum are consistent with selection pressures exerted by organisms interacting with these plants.     

Phosphorus efficiency of sugarcane varieties in a tropical alfisol

Varietal differences in P absorption and utilization by sugarcane were studied with the objective of selecting phosphorus efficient varieties which can perform well under conditions of low soil phosphorus availability and at low P application rates. Sugarcane varieties differed significantly in dry matter, cane and sugar yields, P-concentration and P-uptake. Based on the cane and sugar yield phosphorus efficiency indices, varieties were classified as P efficient and P-non-efficient. Phosphorus efficient varieties had low P-concentrations and produced higher dry matter per unit P absorbed.     

Identification of thoracic gland constituents from maleXylocopa spp. latreille (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae) from arizona

Some male carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) possess massive propodeal exocrine glands that produce copious quantities of multicomponent blends of lipoidal material. Some of these compounds are volatile, producing a flowery aroma that can be easily detected several meters downwind from a territorial male. Chemical characterization of these secretions showed them to be blends of terpenoid compounds or fatty acid derivatives. InX. varipuncta, the mixture is composed of alltrans-geranylgeraniol, alltrans-farnesal, and an isomer of 3,7, 11-trimethyl-2,7,10-dodecatrienal in an approximate 961 ratio. The secretion ofX. micheneri contains isopropyl oleate, (Z)-11-eicosen-1-ol, oleyl alcohol, and methyl palmitate at approximately 6324111. We hypothesize that these compounds act as pheromones that aid in attracting and holding conspecific females to symbolic nonresource encounter sites where mating occurs. They also appear to have utility as chemotaxonomic markers at the subgeneric level.Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation for its use by USDA.     

Sex pheromone ofEupoecilia ambiguella female: Analysis and male response to ternary blend

Sex gland extracts and washes ofEupoecilia ambiguella contain 10–20 ng/female of the primary sex pheromone componentZ-9-dodecenyl acetate (Z9–12Ac), accompanied by a number of related compounds. These areE-9-dodecenyl acetate (E9–12Ac),Z-9-dodecen-1-ol (Z9–12OH), saturated acetates of 12, 16, 18, and 20 carbons, and traces of a doubly unsaturated acetate, tentatively identified as a 9,11-dodecadienyl acetate. Octadecyl acetate predominates among the pheromone-related components, making up 1–2, occasionally 20–30 times the amount ofZ9–12Ac. The same compounds were also found in field-collected females and in effluvia.Z-9-Undecenyl acetate, which is a male attractant on its own, was also found in a sample of female effluvia. A hierarchy is observed in the ethological function of the pheromone components.Z9–12Ac is an attractant forE. ambiguella males. Dodecyl acetate (12Ac) is not attractive on its own but augments male catch when added to the main attractant. Addition of 18Ac augments attraction only when bothZ9–12Ac and 12Ac are present. Windtunnel tests demonstrate that 18Ac also raises the disorientation threshold, as previously shown for 12Ac. Other compounds, with the possible exception of additional saturated acetates, had either no effect on trap catch or, in the case ofE9–12Ac,Z9–12OH, andE-9,11-dodecadienyl acetate, were inhibitory above a certain level. A blend of roughly equal parts ofZ9–12Ac, 12Ac, and 18Ac provides the best attractant blend forE. ambiguella known to date.     

Antifungal polyoxygenated fatty acids fromAeollanthus parvifolius

Two polyoxygenated fatty acids with antifungal activity have been isolated from aerial parts ofAeollanthus parvifolius (Labiatae) using bioassay-guided isolation procedures. Spectroscopic analysis was used to identify the compounds as (Z)-4,9-diacetoxy-6,7-epoxy-5-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid and (Z)-4,6,7,9-tetraacetoxy-5-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid. Both of these compounds inhibited spore germination ofCladosporium cucumerinum. Minimum inhibitory doses were 1 µg and 5 µg, respectively, but only the former inhibited germination ofAspergillus niger at a dose of 5 µg. Neither compound exhibited antibacterial activity. (Z)-4,9-Diacetoxy-6,7-epoxy-5-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid reduced the hyphal growth ofPythium ultimum. The mode of action was not resolved but did not involve either the disruption of the cell wall membrane or the inhibition of extracellular enzymes. Application of (Z)-4,6,7,9-tetraacetoxy-5-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid to seedling plants did not give any protection against fungal attack, and indeed the compound appeared to be phytotoxic.     

Identification of sex pheromones of two sibling species in dingy cutworm complex,Feltia jaculifera (GN.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The sex pheromone components of the two sibling species of the dingy cutworm that occur on the prairies of western Canada were identified in abdomen-tip extracts from calling female moths. Three monounsaturated acetates, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate, are common to both species in ratios of 100133 for species A and 0.30.5100 for species B. The most effective synthetic blends for the attraction of male moths in the field consisted of these three components in ratios of 1010 at 8.8g/lure for species A and 112000 at 500g/lure for species B. The addition of Z5-12Ac to either blend reduced the catches and the addition of Z7-12OH orZ11-16OH to the three-component blend reduced the catches of species B males. The species are morphologically indistinguishable, but the identity of the males attracted to the synthetic blends could be confirmed by their antennal responses to a test blend of the three components using a GC-EAD system. Both synthetic attractant blends are competitive with females and will be useful for studying the distribution, biology, and relative abundances of the two species.Contribution no. 3879005 of the Lethbridge Research Station.     

Antifungal Activity of Some B,D-Seco Limonoids from Two Meliaceous Plants

Isolation and characterization of B,D-seco limonoids from Swietenia mahogani have been described. Seven limonoids from S. mahogani and five limonoids from Khaya senegalensis were tested for antifungal activity against the groundnut rust Puccinia arachidis. Mexicanolide, 3-acetoxy-mexicanolide, 3-hydroxymexicanolide, 2,3-dihydroxymexicanolide from K. senegalensis, and 6-acetylswietenine and 6-acetyl-3-tigloylswietenolide from S. mahogani effectively reduced the number of rust pustules on detached groundnut leaves. Possible correlation of structure to antifungal activity is discussed.     

Sex pheromone of the saltmarsh caterpillar moth,Estigmene acrea

Three compounds have been identified as components of the sex pheromone emitted by females of the saltmarsh caterpillar moth,Estigmene acrea (Drury). These are (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienal (I), (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienal (II), and (Z,Z)-3,6-cis-9,10-epoxyheneicosadiene (III). In female tip extract they were found in a ratio of 1625, respectively, and in trapped female effluvia the ratio was 1627, respectively. Combinations of III with either I or II elicited sustained upwind flight in a wind tunnel, but none of these compounds by themselves did so. There is evidence that the antennal acceptor site for III is chiral.Lepidoptera: Arctiidae.Supported in part by the Rockefeller Foundation and by National Science Foundation Grants GB-38020 and PCM 78-13241.