Localization of the Site of Production of the Sex Pheromone “Seducin” of the Male Nauphoeta cinerea1 by Bioassay2

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Abstract
Males of Nauphoeta cinerea produce a sex pheromone called “seducin.” We made extensive bioassays of different age groups to study the distribution and localization of the site of production of pheromone in the insect. The highest activity was first found to be from the 5th through the last abdominal sternites in males one day after adult emergence. The pheromone activity was less localized in older males, and seems to have spread also to the 1st 4 abdominal sternites in 3- to 5-day-old males. The abdominal tergites of older males are also quite active. Bioassay combined with preliminary histological observation indicate that pheromone production is initiated in the integument of the posterior few sternites and eventually spreads to other parts of the integument.