Defensive and pheromonal secretion of the tergal gland ofAleochara curtula II. Release and inhibition of male copulatory behavior

Abstract

At high concentrations, the defensive tergal gland secretion (TGS)(3) of the staphylinid beetle,Aleochara curtula, inhibits the male copulatory response (grasping with parameres). Inhibitory chemicals, for which a function as alarm substances is assumed, aren-undecane, 1-undecene,n-dodecanal, toluquinone, and 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. When emitted in small amounts, however, the TGS releases the male grasping response. The main components with aphrodisiac effect are (Z)-4-tridecene,n-dodecanal, and (Z)-5-tetradecenal. These supplementary mating stimulants, which are not sex specific, work synergistically with the aphrodisiac female sex pheromone from thé epicuticular lipids and are discussed as alerting pheromones of short-term effect. Antennal movements of resting males as an indication of the recognition of a female and the approach to the mate are released at somewhat longer distances, when the TGS is additionally present.