Title: | Pheromonal advertisement of a nuptial gift by a male moth (Utetheisa ornatrix) |
Author(s): | Dussourd DE; Harvis CA; Meinwald J; Eisner T; |
Address: | "Department of Neurobiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0027-8424 (Print) 1091-6490 (Electronic) 0027-8424 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Male Utetheisa ornatrix produce a courtship pheromone (hydroxydanaidal) that they derive from systemic pyrrolizidine alkaloid of plant origin. Pheromone titers in males correlate with systemic levels of alkaloid and with the quantity of alkaloid transmitted to the female at mating. The male's emission of pheromone during courtship may therefore communicate his possession of protective alkaloids and his capacity to provision the female. By mating preferentially with males endowed with hydroxydanaidal, females may ensure their acquisition of an alkaloidal gift for use in egg defense" |
Keywords: | "Animals *Biological Evolution Diet Female Male Moths/genetics/*physiology Pheromones/*physiology Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids/*metabolism Sexual Behavior, Animal;" |
Notes: | "MedlineDussourd, D E Harvis, C A Meinwald, J Eisner, T eng AI02908/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ AI12020/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. 1991/10/15 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991 Oct 15; 88(20):9224-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.88.20.9224" |