Receptor cells inIps typographus andDendroctonus micans specific to pheromones of the reciprocal genus

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Abstract
Olfactory receptor cells were studied electrophysiologically inIps typographus andDendroctonus micans. The investigation revealed cells which were keyed to pheromone compounds characteristic of the reciprocal genus. Thus, cells keyed toexo-brevicomin were found inI. typographus, whereas cells keyed to (+)-ipsdienol were present inD. micans. Laboratory behavioral tests indicated an attractive effect of the two compounds on beetles of the reciprocal genus. InI. typographus the effect ofexo-brevicomin predominantly concerned males and enhanced their response to the pheromone “ipslure.” It is suggested thatexo-brevicomin serves as an interspecific attractant forI. typographus, which may be guided by pheromone compounds of the reciprocal genus in finding suitable breeding material. The function of (+)-ipsdienol inD. micans is more uncertain. It may be either a pheromone or an interspecific messenger.