Identification of a Sex Pheromone Produced by Sternal Glands in Females of the Caddisfly Molanna angustata Curtis

• DOI: 10.1007/s10886-007-9418-7
• Publication Date: 2008-01-22T19:27:17Z
• Authors: Christer Löfstedt; Jan Bergmann; Wittko Francke; Erling Jirle; Bill S. Hansson; Vladimir D. Ivanov
• Keywords: Caddisfly; Semiochemical

In the caddisfly Molanna angustata, females produce a sex pheromone in glands with openings on fifth sternite. Gas chromatographic analyses of gland extracts electroantennographic detection revealed four major compounds that stimulated male antennae. These were identified by means gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and enantioselective chromatography as heptan-2-one, (S)-heptan-2-ol, nonan-2-one, (S)-nonan-2-ol approximate ratio 1:1:4:10, respectively. Field tests showed mixture two alcohols was attractive to males whereas addition corresponding ketones reduced trap catches. The M. species family Molannidae within suborder Integripalpia, is similar pheromones or pheromone-like previously reported from six other trichopteran families, including members basal Annulipalpia. This suggests minimal evolutionary change chemistry has taken place leptoceroid branch integripalpian Trichoptera compared ancestral character state.