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Sex Pheromone Mimics of the American Cockroach

Nature volume 232, pages 259–261 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

DURING an investigation of several essential oil preparations for juvenile hormone activity1, we discovered that a volatile component(s) in several coniferyl needle distillates stimulated apparent sexual excitement in male American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.). The response, consisting of movement, wing flutter, extended abdomen and attempted copulation, was behaviourally identical to that elicited by the natural sex pheromone of this insect2 and in marked contrast to the behaviour (hyperactivity) induced by exposure to highly irritating chemicals such as amyl acetate.

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References

  1. Bowers, W. S., Fales, H. M., Thompson, M. J., and Uebel, E. C., Science, 154, 1020 (1966).

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  2. Roth, L. M., and Willis, E. R., Amer. Midland Naturalist, 47, 61 (1952).

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  3. Bodenstein, W. G., Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer., 63, 336 (1970).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705

    WILLIAM S. BOWERS & WILLIAM G. BODENSTEIN

Authors
  1. WILLIAM S. BOWERS
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  2. WILLIAM G. BODENSTEIN
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BOWERS, W., BODENSTEIN, W. Sex Pheromone Mimics of the American Cockroach. Nature 232, 259–261 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/232259a0

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