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2-Phenylethanol, a presumed sexual stimulant produced by the male cabbage looper moth,Trichoplusia ni

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  • Chimica, Biochimica
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Summary

A sex pheromone produced by male cabbage looper moths,Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), has been isolated from the genital scent brushes and identified as 2-phenylethanol. It is shown conclusively to elicit specific behavioural responses in the female (such as wing vibration and abdominal elevation), as determined by a novel behavioural laboratory bioassay. This is taken as further evidence that the male pheromone ofT. ni acts as a sexual stimulant (aphrodisiac) prior to mating. 2-Phenylethanol represents the first identification of a genital scent brush pheromone in the family Noctuidae, and of a male pheromone in the subfamily Plusiinae.

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Author notes

  1. A. N. Kishaba

    Present address: Boyden Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 92502, Riverside, California, USA

  2. E. Priesner

    Present address: Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biologically Active Natural Products Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Room 313, Bldg. 306, 20705, Beltsville, Maryland, USA

    M. Jacobson, V. E. Adler, A. N. Kishaba & E. Priesner

  2. Boyden Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 92502, Riverside, California, USA

    M. Jacobson, V. E. Adler & E. Priesner

  3. Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany

    M. Jacobson, V. E. Adler & A. N. Kishaba

Authors
  1. M. Jacobson
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  2. V. E. Adler
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  3. A. N. Kishaba
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  4. E. Priesner
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Mention of a proprietary product in this paper does not constitute a recommendation or an endorsement of the product by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

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Jacobson, M., Adler, V.E., Kishaba, A.N. et al. 2-Phenylethanol, a presumed sexual stimulant produced by the male cabbage looper moth,Trichoplusia ni. Experientia 32, 964–966 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01933912

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01933912

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