Olfaction in moths is one of the most impressive examples of chemical communication found in nature for its exquisite sensitivity and selectivity. Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs), present in the antennae of male moth and other insect species, bind the hydrophobic pheromone molecules and transport them to the G protein-coupled olfactory receptor proteins. The targeted delivery of these non-pol...

Introduction The sea lamprey is a useful animal model for understanding the role of olfactory communication in reproduction (Teeter, 1980; Li et al., 2003a). Our research has focused on characterizing the structure and function of pheromones that signal mating readiness in adults. Sexually mature sea lampreys are virtually blind (Manion and Hanson, 1980), cease feeding (Larson, 1980) and likely...

The sex pheromone protoplast release-inducing protein (PR-IP) inducer and a sexual cell division-inducing pheromone-minus (SCD-IP-minus) that mediates the sexual reproduction of the heterothallic Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale (C. psl) complex were investigated in this study. Recombinant PR-IP inducer produced by yeast cells was prepared and assayed for production of PR-IP and induc...

For successful pest management, codlemone (E, E-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol) is widely used to monitor codling moth. The pheromone release rate is essential for the lure's attractiveness. The optimal sex pheromone release rate (V0) for trapping codling moth was evaluated during 2013-2014. The overwinter generation V0 was 6.7-33.4 μg wk(-1), and moth catches (MCs) were 0.82 ± 0.11 adults/trap/week; MCs...

Two new types of hand-applied pheromone dispensers, “meso-emitters”, were developed in collaboration with Suterra that increased the pheromone release rate per dispenser and decreased the number of dispensers per acre to only 12. Realized emission rates per dispenser only achieved 15-33% of the desired release rate. Further modifications are planned for 2007 to increase these release rates. In ...

A recent outbreak of mountain pine beetle (MPB) has spread over more than 25 million hectares of pine forests in western North America, affecting pine species of sensitive boreal and mountain ecosystems. During initial host colonization, female MPB produce and release the aggregation pheromone trans-verbenol to coordinate a mass attack of individual trees. trans-Verbenol is formed by hydroxylat...

The pheromone nereithione (cysteine-glutathione disulfide), which is released by swimming females of the polychaete Nereis succinea to activate spawning behavior of N. succinea males, has recently been identified and synthesized. Nereithione activates sperm release at less than 10(-6) M, one to two orders of magnitude less than oxidized glutathione or any other glutathione derivative tested. Th...

Previously, we reported that male Wistar rats release alarm pheromone from their perianal region, which aggravates stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) in pheromone-recipient rats. The subsequent discovery that this pheromone could be trapped in water enabled us to expose recipients to the pheromone in their home cages. Despite its apparent influence on autonomic and behavioral functions, we still...

By leaving open in turn the genital orifice, coxal apertures and anus, the present study has shown that engorged female Argas walkerae release at least 1 volatile pheromone mainly, or maybe exclusively, from the genital aperture. Although this aggregation-inducing pheromone is perceived by all post-larval stages, engorged males of A. walkerae react most strongly. A possible, but only slight, em...