In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mating pheromone response is initiated by activation of a G protein- and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-dependent signaling pathway and attenuated by several mechanisms that promote adaptation or desensitization. To identify genes whose products negatively regulate pheromone signaling, we screened for mutations that suppress the hyperadaptive pheno...

The Southeastern Boll Weevil Eradication Program has proposed reducing maintenance program costs in eradicated zones by using an extended-life "superlure" in traps to detect populations of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman. However, superlure effectiveness has not been extensively evaluated. We compared the superlure (30 mg of eugenol plus 25 mg of grandlure) to a standard lur...

This study identified statistically significant, and practically important, seasonal pheromone trap response dynamics of Euschistus conspersus (Uhler) in processing tomatoes in 12 fields over 5 years in California, USA. Commercial fields were monitored weekly using traps baited with Euschistus spp. pheromone and direct canopy shake samples. Regression analysis determined no significant relation...

BACKGROUND The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is the most serious insect pest of almonds and pistachios in California for which environmentally friendly alternative methods of control--like pheromone-based approaches--are highly desirable. Some constituents of the sex pheromone are unstable and could be replaced with parapheromones, which may be designed...

Four species in the ELEGANS group of subgenus the Caenorhabditis are distinguished by two very different mating systems: androdioecy in C. elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae with males and self-fertilizing hermaphrodites and dioecy in Caenorhabditis remanei and Caenorhabditis sp. strain CB5161 with males and females. Using chemotaxis assays, we demonstrate that females secrete a potent sex phe...

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the scientific literature to identify, assess the quality of, and determine outcomes of studies conducted to evaluate the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. DESIGN Systematic review. STUDY POPULATION Reports of prospective studies published from January 1998 through December 2008. PROCEDURES The MEDLINE and CAB Abst...

Pheromone olfaction in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, involves accurate distinction of compounds with similar structure and polarity. The identified sex pheromone is (7R,8S)-2-methyl-7,8-epoxyoctadecane, 1a, and a known antagonist is (7Z)-2-methyloctadec-7-ene, 4a. The first step in pheromone olfaction is binding of odorants by small, soluble pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs), found in the p...

Female moths produce blends of odorant chemicals, called pheromones. These precise chemical mixtures both attract males and elicit appropriate mating behaviors. To locate females, male moths must rapidly detect changes in environmental pheromone concentration. Therefore, the regulation of pheromone concentration within antennae, their chief organ of smell, is important. We describe antennal-spe...

The sex pheromone biosynthetic pathways of lepidopterans require the concerted actions of multiple gene products. A number of pheromone gland (PG)-specific genes have been cloned in recent years and, whereas in vitro characterizations have indicated functions consistent with roles in pheromone production, there have been no clear demonstrations in vivo. Using an RNA interference-mediated loss-o...

The reproductive genes of fungi, like those of many other organisms, are thought to diversify rapidly. This phenomenon could be associated with the formation of reproductive barriers and speciation. Ascomycetes produce two classes of mating type-specific peptide pheromones. These are required for recognition between the mating types of heterothallic species. Little is known regarding the divers...