Characteristic odor of <i>Osmoderma eremita</i> identified as a male-released pheromone
Larsson, Mattias C; Hedin, Jonas; Svensson, Glenn; Tolasch, T, et al. (2003). Characteristic odor of <i>Osmoderma eremita</i> identified as a male-released pheromone. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 29, (3), 575 - 587
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Published
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English
Authors:
Larsson, Mattias C
;
Hedin, Jonas
;
Svensson, Glenn
;
Tolasch, T
, et al.
Department:
Pheromone Group
Department of Biology
Functional zoology
Project:
The PheroBio project (Pheromone monitoring of Biodiversity)
Research Group:
Pheromone Group
Abstract:
Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli) is an endangered scarab beetle living in hollow trees. It has mainly been known for its characteristic odor, typically described as a fruity, peachlike or plumlike aroma. The odor emanating from a single beetle can sometimes be perceived from a distance of several meters. In this paper, we show that the characteristic odor from O. eremita is caused by the compound (R)-(C)-gamma-decalactone, released in large quantities mainly or exclusively by male beetles. Antennae from male and female beetles responded in a similar way to (R)-(C)-gamma-decalactone in electroantennographic recordings. Field trapping experiments showed that (R)-(C)-gamma-decalactone is a pheromone attracting female beetles. Lactones similar to (R)-(C)-gamma-decalactone are frequently used as female-released sex pheromones by phytophagous scarabs. This is, however, the first evidence of a lactone used as a male-produced pheromone in scarab beetles. We propose that the strong signal from males is a sexually selected trait used to compete for females and matings. The signal could work within trees but also act as a guide to tree hollows, which are an essential resource for O. eremita. Males may, thus, attract females dispersing from their natal tree by advertising a suitable habitat. This signal could also be exploited by other males searching for tree hollows or for females, which would explain the catch of several males in our traps.
Keywords:
Zoology ;
Biological Sciences
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