Anatomical localization and stereoisomeric composition of Tribolium castaneum aggregation pheromones

Naturwissenschaften. 2011 Sep;98(9):755-61. doi: 10.1007/s00114-011-0824-x. Epub 2011 Aug 4.

Abstract

We report that the abdominal epidermis and associated tissues are the predominant sources of male-produced pheromones in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum and, for the first time, describe the stereoisomeric composition of the natural blend of isomers of the aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal (DMD) in this important pest species. Quantitative analyses via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that the average amount of DMD released daily by single feeding males of T. castaneum was 878 ± 72 ng (SE). Analysis of different body parts identified the abdominal epidermis as the major source of aggregation pheromone; the thorax was a minor source, while no DMD was detectable in the head. No internal organs or obvious male-specific glands were associated with pheromone deposition. Complete separation of all four stereoisomers of DMD was achieved following oxidation to the corresponding acid, derivatization with (1R, 2R)- and (1S, 2S)-2-(anthracene-2,3-dicarboximido)cyclohexanol to diastereomeric esters, and their separation on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography at -54°C. Analysis of the hexane eluate from Porapak-Q-collected volatiles from feeding males revealed the presence of all four isomers (4R,8R)/(4R,8S)/(4S,8R)/(4S,8S) at a ratio of approximately 4:4:1:1. A walking orientation bioassay in a wind tunnel with various blends of the four synthetic isomers further indicated that the attractive potency of the reconstituted natural blend of 4:4:1:1 was equivalent to that of the natural pheromone and greater than that of the 1:1 blend of (4R,8R)/(4R,8S) used in commercial lures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Male
  • Pheromones / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Tribolium / anatomy & histology*
  • Tribolium / chemistry*
  • Tribolium / metabolism

Substances

  • 4,8-dimethyldecanal
  • Aldehydes
  • Pheromones