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

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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.