Characteristic odor of Osmoderma eremita identified as a male-released pheromone

Journal of Chemical Ecology
Mattias C LarssonW Francke

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)-(+)-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)-(+)-gamma-decalactone in electroantennographic recordings. Field trapping experiments showed that (R)-(+)-gamma-decalactone is a pheromone attracting female beetles. Lactones similar to (R)-(+)-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 the...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 18, 2007·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Björn G Johansson, Therésa M Jones
Jun 11, 2009·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Mattias C Larsson, Glenn P Svensson
Jan 30, 2014·Journal of Chemical Ecology·József VutsMiklós Tóth
Oct 12, 2007·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Till TolaschJohannes L M Steidle
Sep 15, 2016·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Mattias C Larsson
Jul 3, 2013·Oecologia·Heather B JacksonJames T Cronin
May 16, 2015·Natural Product Reports·Stefan Schulz, Susann Hötling
Nov 15, 2012·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Ayuka T FombongBaldwyn Torto
Jun 15, 2007·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Joachim RutherTill Tolasch

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