In moth sex pheromone olfaction systems, there is a stereotypical co-compartmentalization of two or sometimes three olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) within single trichoid sensilla on which pheromone-sensitive odorant receptors (ORs) are differentially expressed. In this issue of Chemical Senses, Krieger et al. show through elegant double and triple in situ hybridization studies that in the mo...

House flies (Musca domestica L.) are major disease spreading vectors in variety of both outdoor and indoor conditions, especially near livestock farms domestic waste disposal landfills. Presently no effective choices available for the control house as these flies’ have developed resistance to all synthetic pesticides. Pheromone traps play a vital role fly management conditions. The present stud...

In this article we explore the evolutionary history of a functional complex at the molecular level in plethodontid salamanders. The complex consists of a proteinaceous courtship pheromone, a pheromone-producing gland on the male's chin, and a set of behaviors for delivering the pheromone to the female. Long-term evolutionary stasis is the defining feature of this complex at both the morphologic...

pAM373 is a 36.7 kb conjugative plasmid in Enterococcus faecalis that encodes a response to a peptide sex pheromone, cAM373, secreted by plasmid-free (recipient) strains of enterococci. It was identified over 15 years ago as one of five plasmids in E. faecalis strain RC73 and was of interest because a related pheromone activity could be detected in culture supernatants of Staphylococcus aureus ...

The bioavailability (i.e. ability to penetrate the insect cuticle, to reach the target organ and to exert bioactivity) of two backbone cyclic (BBC) pyrokinin/pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PK/PBAN) antagonistic peptides was tested by applying them topically to Heliothis peltigera females and monitoring the resulting inhibition of sex pheromone production elicited by the natural...

Females of most species of moths produce a volatile sex pheromone that attracts conspecific males over distance. In females of the polyandrous moth Heliothis virescens, feeding on carbohydrate (e.g. nectar) supplies precursor, via hemolymph trehalose, for both sex pheromone and egg production. With limited carbohydrate acquisition these two reproductive physiologies might compete for hemolymph ...

Current control methodologies have not prevented the spread of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) across Brazil. Here, we describe the development of a new tool for controlling the sand fly vector of the disease: a long-lasting lure, which releases a synthetic male sex pheromone, attractive to both sexes of Lutzomyia longipalpis. This device could be used to improve the effectiveness of residual insec...

We studied the formation of trail patterns by Argentine ants exploring an empty arena. Using a novel imaging and analysis technique we estimated pheromone concentrations at all spatial positions in the experimental arena and at different times. Then we derived the response function of individual ants to pheromone concentrations by looking at correlations between concentrations and changes in sp...

Abstract Bark beetles of the genus Polygraphus have recently been involved in large bark beetle outbreaks central Sweden, together with European spruce Ips typographus . Three species can be found this region; poligraphus , punctifrons and subopacus Efficient pheromone traps would facilitate further investigations these their role outbreaks. Pheromone compounds previously identified P. but not ...

Abstract Pheromones have become an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insecticides for pest control. Most current pheromone-based control products target lepidopteran pests of high-value crops, as today’s manufacturing processes cannot yet produce pheromones at low enough costs enable their use lower-value especially commodity crops. Camelina sativa seeds genetically modified ...