We have done preliminary work suggesting that cuticular hydrocarbons play an important role in mate recognition in longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). The research described here tests the generality of the use of these contact pheromones in this family. We studied the reproductive behavior of five native woodborers: Neoclytus accuminatus acuminatus (F.), Neoclytus m. mucronatum (F.), Megacyllene caryae Gahan Megacyllene robinae (Forster) and Plectodera scalator (F.). We extracted hydrocarbons and tested their activity in laboratory bioassays. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify suspected active compounds present in female and absent in male extracts. Differences between species in hydrocarbons profiles suggest that the species rely on different compounds for recognizing mates.
Species 1: Coleoptera Cerambycidae
Keywords: Mate recognition, contact pheromones
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