Journal of Chemical Ecology (2004) 30, 2047-2056

Junwei Zhu and Kenneth F. Haynes (2004)
Sex pheromone components of the bronzed cutworm, Nephelodes minians, a prey species of a bolas spider, Mastophora hutchinsoni
Journal of Chemical Ecology 30 (10), 2047-2056
Abstract: The bolas spider, Mastophora hutchinsoni, attracts adult males of four species of moths by aggressively mimicking their sex pheromone. Here, we report the identification of two sex pheromone components of one of these species, the bronzed cutworm, Nephelodes minians. Simultaneous gas chromatographic (flame ionization detection) and electroantennographic detection (EAD) analysis of extracts of the sex pheromone glands of female N. minians indicated two components eliciting strong EAD responses from a conspecific male antenna that corresponded in retention time with (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:OAc), using both polar and nonpolar columns. Mass spectra of these two peaks were identical to those of synthetic Z11-16:Ald and Z11-16:OAc. The double-bond positions were confirmed by GC-MS analysis of dimethyl disulfide derivatives of the putative pheromone components. In a field test, a 5:1 blend of Z11-16:Ald to Z11-16:OAc attracted male N. minians. Overall, there is no overlap in the chemical constituents of the sex pheromones of three moth species preyed upon by this bolas spider for which pheromones have now been identified. These studies suggest that bolas spiders are versatile in their ability to synthesize semiochemicals for different prey species. This versatility may be advantageous to a predator that has an otherwise extremely specialized hunting tactic.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Junwei Zhu

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Mastophora hutchinsoni (predator)