Sex pheromone of the tsetse fly: isolation, identification, and synthesis of contact aphrodisiacs

Science. 1978 Aug 25;201(4357):750-3. doi: 10.1126/science.675256.

Abstract

Sex pheromones isolated from the cuticle of the female tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood, release mating behavior in the male fly at ultrashort range or upon contact with baited decoys. Three active components were identified as 15,19-dimethylheptatriacontane, 17,21-dimethylheptatriacontane, and 15,19,23-trimethylheptatriacontane. Chemical and biological comparisons show that the natural and synthetic compounds are identical.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Male
  • Pheromones / isolation & purification*
  • Sex Attractants / chemical synthesis
  • Sex Attractants / isolation & purification*
  • Sex Attractants / pharmacology
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Tsetse Flies / analysis*

Substances

  • Pheromones
  • Sex Attractants